Fenland Tour 2001 Page 11

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Tour 2001

Fenland Tour Summer 2001

11 - Tidal River Welland to Dog In A Doublet, via Wisbech - Tidal Welland Outfall, Wash, Tidal Nene Outfall.

Sunday 8th July 2001

We forgot to mention, that we were with out serious 230vAC power........While going round the Coronation Channel, in Spalding, Neil and Ian C heard some funny noises from Earnest's engine. The engine board was lifted and Neil thought that the noise sounded like a noisy alternator / water pump bearing. We gave a couple of rev ups and it disappeared, we would look at it when moored up in Spalding. When back at Spalding Neil lifted the engine covers, a broken Travelpower alternator belt was noticed. The Jockey / idler pulley was red hot and the bearing ceased. Neil wiggled it with a damp rag.........the bearings were totally knackered. Beta Marine was contacted the next morning and a new one plus belt was ordered. It was to be sent home and would come up with Linda. Neil did have a spare one and this plus a greased up idler bearing assembly would probably last long enough to do some washing, or do a self pump out...BUT the belt would have to be removed after use.

While we were at Surfleet Seas End, Ian, Neil, John Chapman and a couple of the Surfleet “salty dogs” had been discussing the Wash. Apparently the secret of the sands was......****************** (CENSORED!!!) We were to wait at The EA Stone barge until the Welland Cut began to show serious signs of flood. This we predicted would be around 04.30. We were all up at 04.00 and had a rousing bacon butty breaky. It was now at the end of the eight hours of ebb.
The stone barge had been level with the jetty, when we arrived, but when we got up it was about 20ft down. The apparent ebb continued for another half an hour, BUT the level had been starting to rise. We had a weather check, which is meant to be bad later on, but the slight wind was a S Westerly off the land, so would not get up much reach over the water to create too much swell.
At 05.25 we stared off against a fairly fierce flood. John Chapman had hijacked the Beeky contingent of the TNC crew - Andrew Goodland and his son Doug. Frogmoore was having a slight struggle, so we throttled back to keep them well within sight. At 06.50 we rounded Tabs Head and set out into the wild grey world of the Wash approaching high spring tide.
We followed a course nearly straight east, right over the highest drying out paths of the Wash sands. This followed the old Boston Black Buoy Channel for a bit.........then you are totally on your own until you reach the Wisbech Channel. The local knowledge “secret of the sands” can now be told. For the Boston end the secret is the level of the tide at Tabs Head Marker. This post is mounted on a large concrete “table”. The time left up to and after HW, when the table is covered, means that it is safe, in a shoal draught boat to go anywhere over the sands.
Our course took you into the old Gat Channel, not long after you are over the submerged high sands. Neil steered over the high sands. No sign of sands visible below - unlike our traverse over Buxey Sands in Thames Esturary! It was a fascinating experience. NO coast visible. You just had to fix a point on the horizon and try to compensate for wind and tide. Ian C would then shout out, if off the GPS plot.
Once over the Gat Channel it became slightly rougher and Neil had to stop videoing from the side doors. At this point we were getting more confident and decided to cut the corner off into the Wisbech Channel. This meant cutting over sands and coming out of the Gat Channel.
These sands were much lower than the ones previously traversed and we were just over high water. In doing this we came up to the RAF markers and buoys. These protect the Holbeach Bombing Ranges. Some other locals said that they do not bomb the old wrecks at weekends, but we did not take a chance! A couple of old coasters could be seen beached further inland. One, we could see was painted orange and white on the top surfaces........not unlike Earnest!
After this we could see land and were soon in the Wisbech Channel and it became slightly uncomfortable as we took the swell side on, but hardly anything like the Thames Estuary off the Crouch. This soon passed as we got more inland. Port buoys with boys names were passed! – Bob, Bill, Don, Little Tom and finally Big Tom! The twin redundant lighthouse towers could then be seen up the Nene Outfall. The large round trial bank came visible, out to the east of us. This was an experimental water storage reservoir.
At 09.40 we were in the Nene Outfall Channel and started to feel the start of the ebb. A fair slog up to Sutton Bridge now ensued. A good few coasters were on the busy little Port of Sutton Bridge, one was actually a fair size, a lot bigger than the Ladvik which lost it on the turning circle and broke in two last winter. Next we passed the turning circle and could see the bank side repair work needed from the Ladvik disaster.
There was one free pontoon mooring after this, then Clinton Dorrington's (Wisbech Yacht Harbour Master) serious motor yacht Torbau. Ian Clarke had been spun a yarn by John Chapman that this boat was a converted Fishing boat, built in Brittany. When Ian saw it he immediately recognised it as a FISHER - built on the south coast. We decided to wind JC up. Neil videoed JC repeat the bullshit story over the VHF - then to be corrected by Ian C!..........The crew of Earnest were in hysterics...Ian C had to relinquish control as his sides hurt so much from laughing. John kept on trying to substantiate his story.......and dug himself deeper in it.
Next came the Cross Keys Swing Bridge (10.45). As we approached we get a Green..................as it opens! (still had about 15ft headroom, even with our “mast” up. We pulled over to check what is obviously coming the other way. It is a yacht and he had stemed the tide to let us pass through first, even though he was coming down on the ebb.
We struggle through the bridge, going full tilt. The bridge supports had ponded the ebb up a fair bit. Above Sutton Bridge the river gets a bit narrower. At this point Neil Foned Clinton and he tells us to use the two upper most finger pontoons at Wisbech. He also gave us the combination numbers for the exit gate and facilities block (showers etc) over the road.
The next item of note was the North Level main drain outfall at Foul Anchor. Soon the piles of the Port of Wisbech came into view. First was the turning circle, then the remains of the port. One “Ladvik” size coaster with telescopic wheelhouse was in port. We trundled very sedately past the new rows of finger pontoons and plonked ourselves on the final one nearest the bridge (12.40). The centre rope was put through the centre fender eyes and quickly dropped over the centre pontoon mooring cleat. Frogmoore II moored up to the pontoon beyond........using John's flimsy “chord” type mooring warps!!!
We had told Clinton that we would say the night, but JC soon got on the blower to Mick at Dog-In-A-Doublet Sluice (just below Peterborough - end of non tidal River Nene) and he agreed that we can come up on the evening tide and spend the night in the lock. A rather stinky blown up dead sheep was wedged next to Earnest on some of the pontoon floats. With VERY careful prodding we loosened this "mine" and it floated downstream a bit and got caught by someone else's boat!
Neil now concentrated on filling the water tank (pathetic hose - took hour and a half!) Then followed a hose off of all the salt spray on Earnest. Captain Beeky can't resist cleaning operations, so kindly followed round with the leather. Neil also found a few Kilowatts of power left on one of the metered outlets......just as well we have a rather long Shoreline lead on board. A tentative try of the Self Pump Out pump showed that the power available is over 10A - a rather disguised sea pump out ensues........
After a wander round the rather moribund town of Wisbech (or so it seems on a Sunday), we waited for the flood. John waited for the local boaters indication of a safe time to leave. (The Nene outfall can get shallow above Wisbech and you could easily out run the tide and ground) Off we flew at 20.30 and had a rather high speed run up through the Wisbech curves. It straightens out above this and Neil took control from Ian C.
This was after an argument, that with Earnest's new large rudder, that Neil would be capable of steering up on the flood, with NO power on................after half an hour of this (Frogmoore overtakes us) Ian argues that of course Thames Watermen used to do this with Thames Lighters! JC had an idea about stopping on the new Guyhirn Pontoon for a quick meal that Captain Beeky (yes the poor old sod was still being “Frank in Earnest”) was preparing. When John saw the speed of the flood against the small pontoon, he gave it a miss.........!(21.30)
Poor John and Terry were then without food. Next followed a Beeky pasta extravaganza ship to ship transfer. (21.40) By this time it was dark and we still pootled along on the flood, trying to arrive at Dog-In-A Doublet just before high water.
It was a magical evening, it had laid off raining and was deathly quiet. Neil spotted a Barn Own, after voles. Eventually we spotted in the distance the glare of the sodium lights surrounding Dog-In-A-Doublet Sluice, in it's expecting visitors, night time mode. At 23.00 we entered the waiting chamber and at 23.30 we were locked up in the chamber, with the top guillotine down, but paddles up. Mick was booked for a 07.30 start.
It was then straight to bed, but not after John Chapman saying that we really ought to push on through the Middle Level tomorrow, because Tuesday was the was last day that tides were suitable for going up the New Bedford River (tidal – out from Salter's Lode, then right, passed the Denver Sluice Complex!

The 05.30 start from the EA jetty. Tidal River Welland Outfall.

The EA jetty and stone barge at our departure around low water. Tidal River Welland Outfall.

Tidal River Welland Outfall.

Looking across the Wash sands through a break in the training wall. Tidal River Welland Outfall.

Commander Clarke has his life jacket on. Terry S steers. Tidal River Welland Outfall.

The Beekies aboard the Frog Boat. Tidal River Welland Outfall.

Tidal River Welland Outfall.

The Welland channel marker. Tidal River Welland Outfall.

Looking back up the Tidal River Welland Outfall - NB Frogmoore is lagging.

Tabs Head Marker - Table nearly covered. The Wash.

Confluence of the Welland and Witham Outfalls.

The Welland Marker. The Wash.

India Buoy on the Old Black Buoy Channel. The Wash.

Buoy No13 on the Old Black Buoy Channel. The Wash.

Telephoto shot in the mist of Boston Pilot boats steaming out of Boston roads Channel. The Wash.

NB Frogmoore over the slightly choppy deep water Gat Channel. The Wash.

RAF Holbeach Range Marker No4. The Wash.

NB Frogmoore. A three quarters on swell gets up as we come onto the Wisbech Channel. The Wash.

Earnest starts on the Wisbech Channel - time to shut the side doors! The Wash.

Earnest starts on the Wisbech Channel. The Wash.

NB Frogmoore comes round Wisbech Channel No1 Buoy. The Wash.

First view of large Training Island. The Wash.

Looking back at Wisbech Channel No3 Buoy, North Cardinal (VQ) Kerr Buoy and NB Frogmoore. The Wash.

Looking back at Wisbech Channel No3 Buoy and NB Frogmoore. The Wash.

Wisbech Channel No5 Buoy and Alpha Buoy. The Wash.

Big Tom Marker and Trial Bank. Wisbech Channel. The Wash.

Small Training Island. Wisbech Channel. The Wash.

Looking back at NB Frogmoore and Little Tom Buoy. Wisbech Channel. The Wash.

West End Marker. Wisbech Channel. The Wash.

Stating up Tidal River Nene Outfall - note the twin redundant lighthouses.

Terry Streeter. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Looking back at NB Frogmoore. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The twin redundant lighthouses. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Port of Sutton Bridge. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Port of Sutton Bridge - turning circle. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Port of Sutton Bridge. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Fishery Patrol Vessel. The Port of Sutton Bridge. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Port of Sutton Bridge - spare pontoon. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Cross Keys Swing Bridge (A46). Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Port of Sutton Bridge. Clinton Dorrington's Boat - Torbeau, tug and Pilot Cuter. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Cross Keys Swing Bridge(A46) - we have a green . Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Cross Keys Swing Bridge (A46). Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Frogmoore passes through The Cross Keys Swing Bridge (A46). Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The yacht that waited for us to go through Sutton Bridge. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Looking back at Cross Keys Swing Bridge (A46) and the yacht that waited for us. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

South Holland Main Drain Sluice. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Leaving Sutton Bridge in the distance. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

North Level Main Drain Sluice. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

NB Katrina No3 has a pilot to go the "conventional" way to Boston. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Frogmoore passes Katrina. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Port of Wisbech comes into view. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Port of Wisbech turning circle. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Port of Wisbech. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Port of Wisbech. Looking back at Frogmoore. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Port of Wisbech. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech Yacht Harbour. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech Pilot Cutter. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech Yacht Harbour. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech Yacht Harbour - Frogmoore at rest. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech Yacht Harbour - Earnest at rest. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech Yacht Harbour. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech above Freedom Bridge - tide out. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech - Nene Parade and Police Station / Courthouse.

Wisbech - Town Bridge - tide out. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech - Looking down at Freedom Bridge from the centre. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech - We did not frequent this establishment!

Wisbech - Town Bridge. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Earnest at the Wisbech Yacht Harbour. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

We have just steamed under the Town Bridge on the evening flood tide. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech - coming up on the flood. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Wisbech - Elgoods Brewery - coming up on the flood. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Leaving Wisbech - coming up on the flood. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Passing Guyhirn Visitor Mooring pontoon, A47 Bridge and Morton's Leam Sluice. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Ian Clarke in the hysterical VHF conversation with JC. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Night draws in and its food ration transfer time to the Frog Boat! Tidal River Nene Outfall.

Light fades and we still have another 40 minutes to Dog - In - A - Doublet Lock. Tidal River Nene Outfall.

The Tour continues

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