Until now Simon had never seen the starboard side of his
ship and his ship’s starboard side had not seen the light of day for many
years! With the removal of the two ‘hangers-on’, all that has changed. A fellow
owner took Simon out in his motor boat to take photographs, but they had to be
quick as the tide was going out and the weather closing in! A closer inspection and more detailed
photographs will be possible soon.
Photo 1051 shows the whole vessel. Originally the stanchions were not visible,
being boarded over with 2-inch English oak around bow and stern and teak
amidships. All that has long gone and I doubt whether Simon will be able to
afford replacement.
Photo 1052 shows the bows, with the prominent Knight-heads.
The hawse-pipes look as if they would let in water but of course they slope
sharply upwards to deck level.
Photo 1053 is a close-up of the ship’s side. The teak
planking is very obvious, as is that port which looks as though it has been
(partially) bunged up with expanding foam!
Less obvious, just below this port, is the Muntz metal sheathing.
Comparing this with old photographs of Cormorant, I estimate that she is riding
about a foot higher in the water these days and the Muntz was mostly under
water back then.
So, along with the excitement and pleasure of uninterrupted
views across the Medway estuary, Simon now has an uninterrupted view of the
work required on the starboard hull. I suppose after 137 years of sea and
weather, it’s not looking too bad !
David
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