| The Sporades Flotilla A detailed account of the Sailing Holidays Flotilla that 4 club members enjoyed on board a Beneteau 361, in September 2022. Presented by Terry Branston with the aid of numerous photos taken over the two weeks. |
The Talk will be given at the RNA Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 13th April at 7:30pm prompt.
In January Tanya presented her summer ‘22 trip to Scapa Flow diving the historic WW1 site of the scuttled German High Seas Fleet.
This post contains a description of the contents of the YouTube videos of pictures taken during the time there.
Orkney. 9th – 11th July 2022
Stevenage to Scrabster 11hr 20 min (632.6 mi) without stops.
Stop over at Inverness convoy to Scrabster.
Scrabster to Stromness on Northlink Ferry.
West coast of Hoy, The Old Man of Hoy is a 449-foot sea stack on Hoy, part of the Orkney archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. Formed from Old Red Sandstone, it is one of the tallest stacks in the United Kingdom. The Old Man is popular with climbers, and was first climbed in 1966.
Chart: Scapa Flow is the large expanse of water surrounded by Orkney. It is a natural harbour providing shelter from the worst of the weather. It has been used as an anchorage since Viking times, and through both world wars.
The M.V. Invincible Originally an ex-trawler built in Sweden in 1962, powered by a 400hp five cylinder Diesel engine. 25m, licensed to carry up 12 passengers and 3 crew.
Scapa Flow is one of Europe’s premier wreck diving centres, the historic WW1 site of the scuttled German High Seas Fleet, where you’ll find seven large warships and four destroyers.
Stromness is the second-most populous town in Orkney.
Point of Ness Campsite, we had a six man tent for two. In the past the Point of Ness was the main herring curing station for the hundreds of boats that visited Stromness.
Amazing views at 10pm
The German High Seas Fleet was scuttled by its sailors while held at the British Royal Navy base at Scapa Flow. The High Seas Fleet was interned there under the terms of the Armistice while negotiations took place over the fate of the ships. Fearing that either the UK would seize the ships or the German government at the time might reject the Treaty of Versailles and resume the war effort (in which case the ships could be used against Germany), Admiral Ludwig von Reuter decided to scuttle the fleet.
SMS Coln – Light Cruiser was one of only two ships of this class to be completed. The other is her sister ship SMS Dresden. The Cöln lies on her starboard side in 34-36m, with the top of the wreck at around 22m. She is in very good condition with lots of life and very little current, the shotline is usually tied in at the lifeboat davit at around 22 meters making for a very easy dive, and usually a first dive of the week. Cöln is the correct spelling as this can be clearly seen on the ship’s bell at the Lyness museum on Hoy. SMS Cöln saw little action except for mining and a bit of patrolling in the German Bight. On 21 November 1918 SMS Cöln arrived in the Firth of Forth and then continued north for internment in Scapa Flow.
Scapa Flow Museum shows Orkney’s military involvement in the First and Second World Wars and provides a safe home for a major collection of wartime artefacts, many of national and international importance.
One of the propellers from HMS Hampshire, which was lost after hitting a mine off Marwick Head, Birsay, 5th June 1916. 737 men lost their lives, including Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for War making the wreck a war grave. The prop was illegally salvaged in 1983 and later returned to Orkney by the Admiralty.
The pumphouse was used to pump oil from the overground tanks to the oil tenders that fuelled the naval ships in Scapa Flow.
Original World War II boom anti-torpedo defence nets.
SMS Karlsruhe Light Cruiser kaalz · roo · uh. Laid down in May 1915 SMS Karlsruhe had three sister ships, Emden, Königsberg and Nürnberg. Commissioned into the High Seas Fleet in November 1916. She served in the second Scouting Group, patrolling the Heligoland Bight in the North Sea, protecting minesweepers against British light forces. The Karlsruhe lies on her starboard side with a list of about 45 degrees, she rests in a maximum depth of 27 meters and raises up to around 16 meters.
The Churchill Barriers are four causeways in Orkney with a total length of 1.4m. They link the Orkney Mainland in the north to the island of South Ronaldsay via Burray and the two smaller islands of Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm. The barriers were built between May 1940 and September 1944, primarily as naval defences to protect the anchorage at Scapa Flow, but since 12 May 1945, serve as road links between the islands.
Remains of SS Reginald, a blockship sunk in Weddell Bay.
The Italian Chapel is a highly ornate Catholic chapel on Lamb Holm. It was built during World War II by Italian prisoners of war, who were housed on the previously uninhabited island while they constructed the Churchill Barriers. The chapel was not completed until after the end of the war, and was restored in the 1960s and again in the 1990s. It is a popular tourist attraction.
The Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre is housed in converted farm buildings on the island of Burray, the Centre has an intriguing collection of fossils from Orkney and around the world, including some rare and beautifully preserved specimens. There are also local heritage displays, including fascinating exhibitions about Scapa Flow’s wartime history.
The Citadel Our dive buddy’s tent which easily accommodated 6 for evening social.
For a YouTube video covering the activities on 9th to 11th July please click here
Orkney. 12th July 2022
From Stromness into Scapa Flow, the sheltered natural harbour ringed by islands. Chosen as the main base for the Royal Navy fleet during the First World War it was ideally situated for guarding the surrounding waters including the North Sea.
SMS Konig battleship was commissioned in 1914 and led the Fleet at the Battle of Jutland. The König along with the cruiser Dresden were the last two ships to arrive at Scapa Flow for their internment. The König sits in 40 meters of water with the hull rising up to 24 meters. The König lies completely upside down and has been the most heavily salvaged of all the fleet wrecks which gives the opportunity to see the engineering behind the scenes. The two meter diameter hole is the barbette of D-turret. 12 inch thick armour plate is exposed.
SMS Dresden Light cruiser was sister ship to SMS Cöln. Launched on 25 April 1917. She was a replacement for the earlier SMS Dresden, which was scuttled at Robinson Crusoe Island off the coast of Chile after the Battle of the Falklands in 1915. Due to turbine failure SMS Dresden was unable to steam to Scapa in November alongside the rest of the High Seas Fleet. Instead the cruiser arrived in Scapa Flow on 6 December 1918, leaking badly. The Dresden lays on her port side at a depth ranging from 23 meters at the bow and down to 38 meters at the stern. The scuttling was carried out on 21 June 1919. Intervening British guard ships were able to beach some of the ships, but 52 of the 74 interned vessels sank. Many of the wrecks were salvaged over the next two decades and were towed away for scrapping.
Skara Brae is a stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland. Older than Stonehenge and the great pyramids, over 5000 years ago Skara Brae was a thriving village. Consisting of ten clustered houses, made of flagstones, in earthen dams that provided support for the walls; the houses included stone hearths, beds, and cupboards. First uncovered by a severe storm in 1850 which stripped the earth from a large irregular knoll known as “Skara Brae”. When the storm cleared, local villagers found the outline of a village consisting of several small houses without roofs.
Skaill House was originally built in 1620 and has been added to by successive generations over the centuries. In its 400 year evolution, all 12 Lairds have been related, contributing to the history and collections in the house. It was home of William Graham Watt in 1850 who began the first amateur excavation of the Skara Brae site,
Kitchener Memorial On the 5th June 1916, HMS Hampshire left the sheltered waters of Scapa Flow and entered the stormy seas off the west coast of Orkney. The armoured cruiser was bound for Russia on a diplomatic mission. On board was Lord Kitchener, Secretary of War, famously immortalised in the iconic recruitment posters created during the First World War which encouraged Britons to sign up to the army. As the warship set off from Scapa Flow, a force nine gale was blowing and the two escorting destroyers, HMS Unity and HMS Victor, were instructed to return to port as the weather deteriorated. The Hampshire continued on alone and, at about 8.45 pm on the 5th June, it struck one of many mines that had been laid off the coast of Marwick Head by the German submarine U-75 the week before. The ship sank in just 15 minutes. Sadly, there were only 12 survivors, with over 700 lives lost including Lord Kitchener. In 1926 the 48ft high Kitchener Memorial was unveiled after being built by public subscription. The stone tower stands tall over the waters where the tragedy happened at Marwick Head nature reserve. In 2016, the Orkney Heritage Society raised funds to build an arc-shaped commemorative wall at the site to better remember all the men who were killed.
For a YouTube video covering the activities on the 12th July please click here
Orkney. 13th July 2022
SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm Battleship Kronprinz Wilhelm was launched in February 1914. The Kronprinz took part in the Battle of Jutland, and was part of the vanguard fleet, she suffered no damage or loss of life. The Kronprinz lays upturned in 38 meters of water with her port side uppermost and rises to as little as 12 meters at its shallowest. Decending down to the port side of the wreck you reach the seabed at around 38 meters, keeping the wreck on your right arm, you are now moving towards the stern of the wreck. Starting to ascend around the stern, you will come to the rudders and the blasted area where the propellers used to be. This is a lovely scenic area and a great way to decompress in the shallows.
F2 was a World War II German light escort vessel, built in 1936, her design was an experiment at the time as she was fitted out with high-pressure boilers. She sank in a storm in 1946, not long after coming into British hands at the end of the war. The wreck was sold for scrap to Metrec Engineering in the 60s. The company used a wooden barge, YC21, in the salvage operation, but the barge sank in a storm on 15 November 1968. No salvage operations have been carried out on either wreck since. The F2 lays on her port side in 15 meters of water rising up to 8 meters. Although everything aft of the bridge section was blasted in the salvage operations, there are many interesting features in this area, rolls of cable, deck cleats, bollards and the stern post is still visible. There’s a line connecting the barge to the F2, this can be found near the stern on the port side. A short swim of about 20 meters and you are on the barge YC-21, the barge sits upright and the outside of the barge the starboard side is covered in marine life. Within the hold there’s a set of 20mm anti aircraft guns pointing up to the surface, there are also various other bits and pieces of pipe salvaged from the F2. On the starboard side there is an old generator and some old gas cylinders used for cutting.
The Orkney Brewery is housed in the former schoolhouse in Quoyloo one mile from Skara Brae in the heart of Neolithic Orkney. When Norman Sinclair took over in 2006, he made sure the school was preserved as much as possible while the brewery grew. From IPAs, through to Stouts and Scottish Ales to Dark Island reserve, the extraordinary Orcadian ale aged in whisky casks, 10%.
The Ring of Brodgar is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, a series of important domestic and ritual monuments built 5000 years ago in Orkney. The Ring of Brodgar comprises a stone circle, originally consisting of 60 stones – 36 survive today, at least 13 prehistoric burial mounds and a large rock-cut ditch surrounding the stone circle.
For a YouTube video covering the activities on the 13th July please click here
Orkney. 14th July 2022
SMS Brummer – Fast Minelaying Cruiser was more lightly armoured and less heavily armed than the light cruisers. She could carry 400 mines and was extremely manoverable. In October 1917 the Brummer was one of two ships used to intercept a British convoy en route from Bergen to Lerwick. She was chosen for this job due to her high speed, and the fact that she resembled a British cruiser. In preparation for the raid, the crew painted the ship dark grey to further camouflage her to look like a British vessel. SMS Brummer arrived in Scapa Flow for internment in November 1918.
A diver Lost a SMB, Surface Marker Buoy, and jumped off the dive lift to retrieve it. The reel was let go underwater for safety reasons when it became entangled.
SMS Karlsruhe Light Cruiser kaalz · roo · uh is one of the best dives in Scapa Flow, and considered a favourite that many wish to repeat time and time again, as did we. At a maximum depth of 27 meters rising to 16 meters. She is the shallowest and most broken up of all the German fleet wrecks, but she is also the prettiest with lots of fish and marine life. The Karlsruhe was the only one of her class that the Germans successfully scuttled as SMS Nürnberg and Emden were both beached by the British. The wreck was sold in 1962 and was partially broken up between 1963 and 1965.The bow section has two huge anchors that lie on the seabed, their chains run along the seabed and through the hawse pipes. The chains are wrapped around the two anchor capstans and the engines that drove the capstans are still visible.
A walk in the rain through Stromness
To the RNLI Boathouse 1867
For a YouTube video covering the activities on the 14th July please click here
Orkney. 15th July 2022
Air fill station onboard compressor
SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm Battleship second dive on this battleship. Deep dark and lost video footage.
Tabarka Block Ship A great second dive, she lies upside down in 12 meters of very tidal water, and can only be dived during slack with negative entry. The Tabarka, seized at Falmouth in 1940 by the British Navy, this single screw steamer was sailed under her own power and sunk as a block ship in Kirk Sound. As the construction of the Churchill Barriers was coming along well it was decided to re-float her, and move her to her present position in Burra Sound. Divers are suited and booted and ready to dive, just as the water comes slack we move into position over the wreck and give the word to go. The shallowest part of the wreck rises up to as little as 6 meters. There are many holes along the sides where she was blasted during the scuttling and a large section near the bows has now fallen through. This is a lovely dive with crystal clear water with rays of light penetrating through the wreck. Wildlife includes wrasse and small shoaling fish, crabs and lobster, all different kinds of anemone carpet the wreck. 30 minute dive before tide starts to run.
Stromness Red Shed dive shop
Ness Battery Finest example of a WW2 coast Battery, viewing by appointment.
Links Battery WW2 ruin, a twin 6-pounder gun was installed here
Stones of Stenness Neolithic monument five miles northeast of Stromness, this may be the oldest henge site in the British Isles.
The winds of the week calmed down but the Midges came out.
The Next dive group went out on glassy water.
Driving tour of Mainland and across the Churchill Barriers, Church now a cafe and designer jewellery shop.
Whisky – A nice drop.
Open garden on North east coast of Mainland, a challenging spot for gardening.
Scapa bay, south of Kirkwall overlooking site of Royal Oak wreck
Royal Oak Memorial Garden
Built during the First World War and completed in 1916, the British battleship Royal Oak first saw combat at the Battle of Jutland. On 14 October 1939 the now outdated Royal Oak was anchored at Scapa Flow when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-47. Coming just weeks after the outbreak of World War Two, it was one of Britain’s worst naval disasters. It was an even worse shock because it happened inside a famous and supposedly impregnable naval base, Scapa Flow. Of Royal Oak’s complement of 1,234 men and boys, 835 were killed that night or died later of their wounds.
Kirkwell Cathedral displays the Royal Oak Bell with a book of remembrance.
Night Ferry to Aberdeen Cabin with vip lounge.
For a YouTube video covering the activities on the 15th July please click here
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and trust you have had a enjoyable sailing year which has certainly had its share of fine weather, lets hope we get the same next year.
The first club sailing event was the East Coast Cruise at the end of May which culminated in a dinner at Fox’s Marina Ipswich. Honfleur crewed by four SOCA members managed to make it followed by Stewart, Tanya, Paul Redd and Denise all of whom arrived by car.
25th – 28th May 2001 Cherbourg Rally
Paul had recently retired from work and had just bought a Cornish Crabber which he was looking forward to using in his retirement. This as we know was the last SOCA event Paul attended as he sadly passed away in September shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.
He was SOCA Commodore for the year 1999-2000, I think that’s Paul at the helm of what I believe is a Colvic 28.
Tom. Sarah and Baby
Paul was a past neighbour of mine for many years at Becket Hall, Welwyn and joined the club soon after me. He had two young children Tom and Sarah who I was very pleased to meet again at Paul’s funeral.
Tom was showing off his latest 3 month old addition which he is holding in the picture above with Sarah standing alongside .
The reception was fittingly arranged at Pin Mill and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Our heart felt condolences go out to Denise for this tragic curtailing of their retirement years together.
The last yachting event was the South coast cruise arranged by Martyn Reed at Hythe Marina. This was a very successful event with 5 yachts all helped along by Martyn and Sean’s hospitality and the particularly fine weather.
Just to remind everyone the next meeting is on the 12 January 2023.
Tanya will be giving a talk on her experiences diving on the scuttled German warships in the freezing cold waters of Scapa Flow.
Commodore Alex Nicholas
The December meeting was held on the 8th of December and was well attended despite the weather conditions. This was the annual nautical themed photo contest which included the opportunity for a pre-Christmas social.
Nearly 120 photos from over 20 members were submitted into the competition, this made the voting very close with ties-breaking decisions having to be made in 4 of the categories.
The winners in the 2022 Photo Competition
Above are the six winners in the 2022 photo competition.
From left to right :-
Terry, George (at front), Paul, Tanya, Stewart & Geff
The competition for best photo was broken into six different Categories:-
1) Club People since the club was formed.
2) Seascapes
3) Artistic (with a nautical flavour)
4) Boats
5) Weather and Sunsets
6) Sailing Holiday
Below are the winning photos from the 2022 Photo Competition.
Categories for the Photo Competition:
1) Club People since the club was formed.
Club People – A very old Printed Photo that required scanning from Tanya
2) Seascapes
SEASCAPES – A photo taken by Stewart off Plymouth
3) Artistic (with a nautical flavour)
Artistic – A photo that could have been entered into (and won) many of the categories by Terry
4) Boats
BOATS – A picture from Paul from high on the mast.
5) Weather and Sunsets
Weather & Sunsets – A picture from George on the East Coast.
6) Sailing Holiday
Sailing Holiday – a picture taken on the wharf in Oban whilst Geff was on holiday in Scotland
Note a selection from the entries will form the basis of next year’s calendar 2024 which seeing the quality of this year’s entries means it will be highly desirable.
Also a raffle etc was held which made a healthy boost to the funds for the Commodores chosen charity which this year is BTAC.
The September meeting, topic “A Scottish Shrimper” was held on the evening of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, (Queen Elizabeth I of Scotland).
There had been calls to cancel the meeting from some of the members but it was decided to proceed with the meeting and a toast was made in memory of the Monarch and a few words said by the Commodore.
The meeting was well attended and was ready to start at the scheduled time of 7:30 but a few gremlins with the communication system between the computer and projector meant a delay to the start of 15 minutes.
A short description of the event is contained in the post.
International Shrimpers Week (ISW) Scotland June 2022
The following description contains a few extra words and pictures that are not contained in
that post.
The Rally was organised by the International Shrimper Group and consisted of over 30 Shrimper from various locations. The term International was justified as it not only included shrimpers from England, Scotland and Wales but also a Shrimper that had been towed all the way from the Netherlands.
The rally was based in the Forth of Clyde and surrounding Islands. Based at the Largs Yacht Haven, a Marina rated as one of the top two in Scotland, which had very good facilities.
Largs is famous for being the site of The Battle of Largs (2 October 1263) which was a battle between the kingdoms of Norway and Scotland, on the Firth of Clyde near Largs, Scotland. Through it, Scotland achieved the end of 500 years of Norse Viking depredations. Victory was achieved with a crafty three-tiered strategy on the part of the young Scottish king, Alexander III: plodding diplomacy forced the campaign to bad weather months and a ferocious storm ravaged the Norwegian fleet, stripping it of many vessels and supplies and making the forces on the Scottish coast vulnerable to an attack that forced the Norwegians into a hasty retreat that was to end their 500-year history of invasion and left Scotland to consolidate its resources into building the nation.
Day One of sailing consisted of a shakedown trial from Largs Yatch Haven to Little Cumbrea and Return. Skirting Hunterston Quay and Power Station, avoiding the Hunterston sands.
Winds were ideal for gentle sailing at WSW F2/F3.
We logged 24Nm in total, mostly under sail, over a period of approximately 3 1/2 hours.
Day Two was the first day of organised sailing with the whole flotilla taking part. The trip consisted of a journey around the Cumbrea islands from Largs. Winds were again fine for sailing, WSW F2/F3.
Some of the fleet anchored at Millport for lunch but we had lunch whilst sailing around Little Cumbrea.
PS Waverley was sighted leaving Largs for the Isle of Bute. We traveled 30 Nm in total that day around both Great & Little Cumbrea, journey time for the trip was ~ 6 1/2 hours.
Day Three was a more difficult sail from Largs to Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute. Winds were mainly westerly F2/F3.
We traveled for 24 Nm in total, having lunch whilst sailing. Lots of pictures were taken of the PS Waverley again.
Travel time was approximately 6 1/3 hours
Day Four sailing involved a not too early start. 9:30am, after breakfast on board. We traveled from the Isle of Bute to Tarbet on the Kintyre Peninsular through the Kyles of Bute,
This leg was a highlight of the trip.
Winds were SSW F1/F2. The journey took nearly 7 1/2 hours to travel the 30 Nm Including a stop for Lunch at the delightful Caladh Harbour in the Kyles of Bute.
Click on the following link for a YouTube video of the Shrimpers arriving at Tarbet.
Cornish Shrimper Owners Association rally 2022 arrive in Tarbert, Loch Fyne
Thursday Evening at Tarbet was Decision Time for all of the Shrimper Skippers with 
Very Strong Southerly Winds forecast for the next few days
(The wrong direction for the original planned route of the flotilla).
There were three options being considered.
The flotilla effectively split into three smaller groups with some shrimpers opting for each of the three options. We selected option 1 and planned to leave for Largs at 8:00am the next day.
Day 5 Tarbet to Largs We left Tarbet Harbour at 8 o’clock in the morning after a light breakfast. We proceeded across lower Loch Fyne, motoring into a strong headwind. After about an hour of motoring we got to a point just south of Ardamont Point we then decided to take advantage of the shelter provided by the Kyles of Bute and decided to travel around the north of the Isle of Bute for our return to Largs. With the wind now behind us we sailed (jib only) up the western Kyles of Bute at about 3 to 4 Knots. Whilst traveling along the Kyles we saw some unusual vessels, one unusual example is shown below.
The winds for most of the way were southerly at F4/F5. The trip from Tarbet to Largs was logged at 30 Nm in total and took about 7 1/2 hours.
For the next few days sailing was impossible due to very strong winds so we resorted to land based activities. On the first day we took the ferry as a foot passenger from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay with the intention of taking a bus to Mount Stuart House, A 19th-century mansion with extravagant interiors and expansive landscaped and wild gardens that had been recommended to us by a fellow Shrimper who had visited it earlier in the week. First stop however was to the famous Victorian toilets in Rothesay.
Restored Victorian Toilets at Rothesay Harbour
The next day we decided to have a trip on the PS Waverly around the Isle of Bute. 
However the weather was too bad for the paddle steamer to follow its original route as as well. We had decided to catch Waverly at Largs, but it was impossible for her to berth there so we had to make a mad rush to Greenock to catch it there, arriving with a few minutes to spare.
Of course the first thing we had to do onboard was to pay a visit to the engine room.
The paddle steamer struggled in the strong winds on route to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, where some of the passengers disembarked to visit the town,
We continued to the Kyles of Bute but had to turn back before we reached the end due the weather. The return trip then returned to Rothesay to pick up passengers and then onto to Greenock where she berthed with difficulty due to the offshore wind.
An Excursion on the Waverley is something everyone must do if given the chance.
With the weather not predicted to be any good for safe sailing for at least another 2 to 4 days we decided it was time to return south. We left early on Monday morning retracing the route that we had followed on the way up to the Forth of Clyde a week earlier. This brought to an end a very enjoyable sailing holiday in Scotland with the Shrimper community.
The August 2022 SOCA Committee meeting was held on Thursday 18th August at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City.
Despite it being the peak holiday season it was a very well attended meeting with only one apology received.
All members commented that it was good to see the Commodore, Alex, in good health after his recent hip operation.
The committee discussed various topics including new requirements from our bank to stop money laundering??, the future programme of presentations and events, potential training, items for the website, and how to attract new members, plus general chit chat on sailing related topics. One of the new items on the agenda was two significant upcoming events in 2024.
2024 will mark the RNLI’s 200th birthday. It will also mark SOCA’S 40th anniversary.
Credit to RNLI
If you have any thoughts on anything to do with the running of SOCA especially on future events/presentations, training requirements or increasing the membership plus if you have any ideas or information or anecdotes on SOCA in the last 40 years the committee would like to hear your thoughts.
Please contact us using the email: commodore@socasailing.org.uk with your suggestion.
Bob (the organiser of the 2022 East Coast Shrimpers Rally) has provided the following log of their recent rally.
“Six Shrimpers, (Including SKYLARK from SOCA) set out on July 15th from various places with the vague ambition of trying to find the source of the river Medway (or at least getting as close as possible). These were;
Sapphire & Boudicca waiting for Havengore Bridge to open
Friday (15th July) There was a spring flood and gentle westerly to take us rapidly South. For the overnight stop, 4 Boats went into Burnham-On-Crouch and two into Bradwell. The next morning (Saturday) the Burnham boats explored the delightfully winding maze of creeks that connect the river Roach with the Thames at Havengore. By lunchtime we were waiting at the (lifting) Havengore bridge for the man to arrive for the first opening of the day (90 min before HW)
Route across Maplin Sands
and crept nervously out over the notorious Broomway and Maplin sands with almost no water beneath our keels.
A f4-5 easterly breeze had built up quite a chop going across the Thames but it was on our hindquarters so we flew across, surfing down the waves. An exhilarating sail but I really should have put a reef in!
We arrived at Queenborough, at the mouth of the Medway, at HW to re-unite with Bumble Chugger who had sailed around the outside of Foulness from Bradwell. We tied up on the pontoon but I then realised that this was a mud berth that was only accesible for 2 hrs each side of HW. Oh well, we would just have to get up at 05:00AM to move to a swinging mooring. We all had a lovely evening together in Queenborough YC. The bar was open, no food but they very kindly provided plates and cutlery so that we could get a chinese takeway delivered to the club.
Medway, approaching Chatham, Rochester Castle in background
The next morning (Sunday) we sailed up the Medway to Chatham, against the tide, but with a fair breeze. The idea was to arrive at lunchtime so that we could spend the afternoon in the Historic Dockyard, only to find that they were hosting a gaming event and that most of the normal exhibitions were closed. Oh well – I went anyway, it was quite interesting. It was also starting to get very hot! Temperatures were around 35 deg C. The first pint of cold lager was total bliss – as were the others that followed. Bumble Chugger had already explored the Medway and so went off to explore the Swale
The South Eastern bridge at Rochester
On Monday, We had a lazy morning waiting for the start of the flood tide and went out of the Chatham Marina lock around 10.30AM. There was still very little water in the river which was definitely helpful going under Rochester Bridge (HW air-draft about 8m). We allowed the early flood to carry us up river, occasionally scraping our keels on unknown submerged items. The scenery was almost entirely man-made but not without interest, including a paddle steamer and ex-russian navy submarine. Most of us gently grounded at times and had to wait 10 mins for the tide to lift us clear. My rudder blade lanyard broke – I had to lift the rudder off from inside the boat (at anchor), repair the lanyard and replace the rudder – all single handed! -It actually was easier than I’d expected – it only took 15 mins.
SKYLARK with masts down travelline through Maidstone
We arrived at the very pretty Aylesford bridge near Maidstone around 14.30. This has an HW air-draft of 2.5m so it was definitely a mast-down job. We all anchored and helped each other to take our masts down in the middle of the river, which, by now, was quite narrow and starting to look and feel more like an inland river (although still tidal). The river then passed through Maidstone town centre and we shortly reached Allington Lock, where the tidal Medway finishes and it becomes a freshwater river.
Allington Lock
The lock keeper was really helpful and after locking through, we found moorings alongside the bank directly outside the pub – perfect!
Tuesday – another really hot day- 
We ventured further up the pretty and rural Medway through several locks but decided that we would turn around early afternoon and return to Allington for the evening. Continue reading
SKYLARK, skippered by John with Geff as crew, joined the ISW rally based from Largs, in Scotland.
Hence this post will for the moment only a short synopsis to hopefuly ensure your attendance.
SKYLARK was towed over 500 miles on July 19th to Largs in Scotland to join another 30+ Shrimpers for the rally,.some had already been in the vicinity sailing for a few weeks before. We arrived late Sunday night where we stayed at a local B&B and arranged for SKYLARK to be hoisted into the Marina the following morning
SKYLARK was then taken out for a shakedown trip for the rest of the day to Little Cumbrae to check all the re-masting and rigging etc had been performed correctly. In the evening there was a group meal at NARDINI’s OF LARGS, Scotland’s most famous cafe, restaurant & ice cream parlour re-opened in December of 2008 following a multi million pound refurbishment that has seen the landmark Art Deco building restored to its past glory
SKYLARK flying SOCA Flag.
The next day, Tuesday, was the first official day of the rally and consisted of sailing Sailing around Little and Great Cumbrae.
On Wednesday the fleet set out sailing across the Firth of Clyde, passing PS Waverley on the way. whilst continuing onto the marina at Port Bannatyne on the Island of Bute, just north of Rothesay, where a few of the Shrimpers choose to berth for the night. The group had an evening meal at the Victoria Hotel in Rothesay.
Lunch in Kyles of Bute
On Thursday the majority of the fleet then set sail anti-clockwise in light winds around the Isle of Bute, through the Kyles of Bute, with amazing scenery all the way to Tarbet on the Kintyre Peninsular.
SKYLARK set out early Friday morning, into a reasonably strong headwind, which meant we motored all the way to south of the Isle of Bute, where we decided to seek the shelter by retracing our steps through the Kyles of Bute, Sailing north up the Kyles we were managing 6 to 7 knots on jib alone. We completed the 30 Nm trip in the early afternoon.
Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute
For the next few days sailing was impossible so we resorted to land based activities. On the first day taking the ferry as a foot passenger from Wemyss bay to Rothesay to take a bus to Mount Stuart House, A 19th-century mansion with extravagant interiors and expansive landscaped and wild gardens.
Engine Room of PS Waverley
The next day we decided to have a trip on the PS Waverly around the Isle of Bute. However the weather was too bad for the paddle steamer as well, we had decided to catch Waverly at Largs, but it was impossible for her to berth there so we had a mad rush to Greenock to catch it there, arriving with a few minutes to spare. 
The paddle steamer struggled to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, where some of the passengers disembarked to visit the town, we continued to the Kyles of Bute but had to turn back before we reached the end due the weather. The return trip then returned to Rothesay to pick up passengers and then onto to Greenock where she berthed with difficulty due to the offshore wind.
The weather was only beginning to improve so we joined a few of the others and decided to start the journey home the next day.
More details, with lots more photos, were presented at the September meeting.
The June meeting was held at the Royal Naval Association Welwyn Garden City.
The format was a Fish and Chip Supper, provisioned from Peartree Chippee.
The Fish and Chips were very good with plentiful supplies of chips and Mushy Peas (e.g. Too Much),
The meal was followed by a group quiz organised by Stewart, which involved the ensemble trying to identify the vessel from the displayed lights.
General outcome, is everyone knows what Starboard and Port lights are, but in identifying the actual craft when it was large, towing, dredging, trawling or mine sweeping, the general consensus seemed to be the MORE lights = Stay further away !!!
A case of a lot of revising required before most of the audience try night sailing again!!!
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SOCA 2022 Annual Review & AGM held on
Thursday 10th March Live at RNA Welwyn Garden City
This was a relaxed, social evening which gives members a chance to look back at the past year and discuss plans for the next season.
Commencing with the Commodores review of the past year and presentation of trophies the club AGM then followed.
The 2022 Trophy Awards were as follows
Kelphil Bell Awarded for the most support to the club.
The Kelphil Bell is one of the oldest awards within the club. It was awarded by the Commodore to Deborah for her support over many years.
The Joseph Evanson Trophy was awarded to Andrew for his adventures in when he helped Ray bring home “Miss Behaving” from Gibraltar.
Joseph Evanson was a founding member of SOCA, the first Vp and Treasurer,
The Astrolabe Trophy (donated to the club by Roy Maynard) for a member’s presentation at a club evening. The Astrolabe Trophy this year was awarded to Andrew for the epic presentation that described the journey and mishaps in bringing “Miss Behaving” back from Gilbrator with Ray and other helpers . This was a marathon presentation that lasted “over a month!!“. Started at the January meeting there was so much to cover it concluded at start of the Febrauary meeting.
The Commodore’s Cup is presented entirely at the outgoing Commodore’s discretion.
This year it was awarded to Paul for his services to the club and his willingness to do numerous presentations. This year he regaled us with an ultra high tech presentation which future members will struggle to surpass. Unfortunately Paul could not attend the presentation evening so it will be awarded to him at a future event.
2022 Flag Officers: Rear, Commodore and Vice
The new Flag Officers for 2022
endorsed by the membership at the AGM.
2022 Commodore is Alex
Vice Commodore is Andrew
Rea Commodore is Geff
