Storm Damage

The Valentine's day storm managed not only to flood the boat shed to its highest recorded level but it also managed to inflict some structural damage to Shamrock. The constant movement of her in the dock resulted in the forward section of the port bulwark washstrake (top plank) and capping rail breaking off. Parts of her were found buried in all the dried reeds and river rubbish trapped in the hedge between the quay and car park.

Repairs to Shamrock are now well underway.

Damage forward view.

Port View.

Not a clean break.

Under repair.

This section will need to be renewed.

Shamrock's New Ensign

A result of Shamrock being listed on the National Register of Historic Ships, No 665, she now supports a new ensign that reflects her status.

Shamrock's New Ensign

As Shamrock is the last Tamar sailing barge that traded under sail, the last surviving Tamar sailing barge and she has been fully restored to exacting National Maritime Museum standards, an application is being prepared for Shamrock to be included in the National Heritage Fleet.

Weather update

This blog's post 'Winter Rain Stops Play' of the 1st February stating that we should be able complete some painting and scraping in the dry of the boat shed seems to have thrown down the gauntlet to the weather. All painting has had to stop due to the high winds getting under the tiles and blowing a layer of dirt and dust into the shed. As the wind is usually accompanied by heavy rain this also finds its way in resulting in the windward side of the boat shed having its own rain shower. At least we can still do a bit of paint scraping!!

Boat Shed Flooding Update

So far this week the boat shed has flooded twice and Shamrock's crew are hoping that this will be the last for a while.

It has been suggested that if this continues a new qualification of swimming a length of the boat shed should be a must for all crew members.

Shamrock's workboat (on the left) just started to float before the tide receded.

For a few hours after high water Cotehele had a new visitor attraction, the car park swimming pool.

High Spring Tide

Due a combination of this morning's high spring tide, low pressure, lots of rain and strong southeasterly winds, flooding returned to Cotehele Quay. Thankfully it receded with the tide.

Shamrock from the boat shed.

Inside the boat shed.

What car park?

More photos on Cotehele's facebook page.

Winter Rain Stops Play

As a result of this winter's weather that seems to average one day heavy rain followed by a day of showers or perhaps even sunshine, none of the planned Shamrock or Nancy Belle's maintenance has been possible. To enable some major work to be completed Nancy Belle has now been dragged, well winched into the boat shed to dry out. With a bit of luck we should be able to start scraping and painting her next week in the dry but not necessarily warm.

The boat shed is starting to look congested!

Somebody was not very happy with Shamrock's multi-coloured block and added a bit of wood stain to a drop of varnish and ended up with a block of more uniform colouring and to his liking.

Now spot the new bit.

Rigging Block Repair

As part of Shamrock's winter maintenance program, any of the rigging blocks that are currently stowed in the boat shed are being refitted. During this process it was discovered that one of the double blocks had a rotten cheek.

Shamrock's blocks are made from ash and there was none in the wood pile so Shaune obtained an ash log from Cotehele's countryside team. This was then split to obtain a rough piece of ample thickness to manufacture a new cheek. Next it was planed, reduced to the correct thickness, shaped and finally riveted to the old block.

As the original block had become well-weathered Shamrock will now be supporting a multi-coloured block.

Spot the new bit?

Footnote

One of the more unusual items spotted being transported during last week's car ferrying operation!

Peace Shattered!

Cotehele Quay's January is usually a quiet month with just a few regular visitors and dog walkers. This week all that changed when the Royal Marines and Royal Navy arrived with their landing craft to take part in a car ferrying operation from Calstock to Cotehele Quay. Being well publicised the exercise attracted the attention of the press and sightseers.

The cause for this started on Christmas Day when about 40 vehicles were trapped the wrong side of a collapsed road caused by a landslip at Lower Kelly, Calstock. Details of the operation and the 10 year old boy who set the wheels in motion can be found on the BBC website and other news sites.

Loading and unloading provided a few problems as modern cars don't have the ground clearance of the military vehicles they're used to transporting.

Advanced party arriving.

Off to Calstock.

One of the first cars to arrive at Cotehele Quay.

Offloading.

A local council vehicle hitching a ride the wrong way!

The press pack.

Meanwhile back in the boat shed Shamrock's winter maintenance continues.