Preparing the dry dock
August 2019
The Westmorland Trust very kindly donated their dry dock to Raybel Charters CIC for our restoration. After this it will be available for other historic ship restorations and maintenance. But it has been lying on the mud flats, too full of water to float on the tide.
Geoff and Ed (father and son) of Tiller and Wheel Charters took us out to the dock’s location on their beautiful Thames sailing barge Edith May. We came alongside, waited for the tide to fall, opened the docks valves and started the pumps so she would float on the rising tide. She did. A most enjoyable day, great company, a beautiful barge and the pleasure of having the time to watch the tide ebb and flow.
No fish were harmed in this operation.The dry dock will now be towed to the top of Milton Creek to be used in the restoration of the Raybel.Still in the dock are all that remains of another venerable Thames barge, the Westmoreland, for which, sadly, there are no current plans for restoration. We are looking for a ‘home’ for her – please contact us with any proposals.
Next we’ll be building a cover for the drydock as well as new access stairs and a viewing platform for visitors. And it will be cleaned and painted up smartly too!
