A dry dock tale
April 2020
We've featured our struggles with the dry dock on a couple of restoration posts already – here's the full story.Back before our funding application went to National Lottery Heritage Fund we were very kindly donated the dock by the Westmoreland Trust, Colin Frake and the Gransden family. From the outset we saw that ownership of our own dock would provide a much more solid foundation than renting one. And post-restoration it could reduce maintenance costs as well as even providing some income. When a dry dock was offered it was a huge boost - sourcing and converting a Thames lighter could have cost upwards of £100k so really was not an option.
Westmoreland Trust were happy to see the dock put to good use in the restoration of Raybel and we also all agreed that afterwards it will be made available to other sailing barges and traditional craft at significantly less cost than any commercial dry dock. But there was much to do to make the dry dock ready for Raybel. First it had to be retrieved from its mooring near Lower Halstow, a survey would be needed and any necessary repair work carried out before clearance could be granted for the tow along the Swale to Sittingbourne. We would also need to remove the remains of the Westmoreland, the much-loved last-of-the-brickies which still lay in the dock, but was considered unsaveable given lack of funding. But all this was worthwhile for the prize of having our own working dock.
Rob had a first go at raising it in the early weeks of the project, during the balmy days of early autumn. But with the doors no longer in existence the freeboard was very small and the first high winds slopped the water in and we were back where we started. A more complex plan would be needed. But by this time we were well into organising the move of Raybel from Heybridge on the Blackwater to Milton Creek, and it wasn't until early this year, deep into a wild, windy, wet and bitter winter, that we had the chance to get back onto the dock again. Having found a willing and skilled tug operator, Rob Hart, the dock was floated and pulled alongside at Lower Halstow - on successive tides and during Storm Brendan. As Rob Hart said, he would rather a gale against him than a breeze behind him on an operation like that. The Parish Council had kindly provided a berth near S.B.Edith May for the necessary work to be carried out (for a small donation).
Thanks then go out to expert welders Rikki Payne and team, who renewed all door irons and brackets and completed the repairs in double quick time, and Toby Lester who carried out the survey and approval of works very promptly so we had everything in place for the tow round on the Spring tides of mid March. Rob Hart and crew on tug Sir Hendrik towed the dock into the Swale and waited there overnight before continuing into Milton Creek on the morning of Friday 13th. Quite something to see - the tug nudging the dock along through the ever narrowing channel. And it is good to now be certain that, on the top of a big tide, there is enough water at Lloyd Wharf to turn a dry dock - or any size of sailing barge for that matter.
And so, we finally have all assembled at the wharf. The biggest challenges have been faced but the tale of the dry dock has two more chapters. First the removal of Westmoreland - which may be a further opportunity to work with National Historic Ships on the recording and deconstruction of this once fine sailing barge. And secondly the construction of a cover for the dock so that work on Raybel can continue with minimal interference from that great and unpredictable force - the weather.
