WORD OF
THE MONTHPledget
A string of oakum
rolled and ready
for use in the
caulking of a
deck or side
seam of a
wooden vessel.
It was inserted
into the seam
after it had been
opened with a
reeming iron,
rammed hard
home, and then
payed with pitch
to make a
watertight joint
between the
planks.
Oxford
Companion to
Ships and the SeaTELL TALES
C/O ERLING STORMC/O MARCONI SAILING CLUBNorth of the Arctic Circle at Skrova, one of Alfred Mylne’s finest cruising yachts, the 92ft (28m) Eileen II, is overwintering on a special
mission, writes Clare McComb. In the summer of 2015, after a 1,100nM passage, she arrived at the Lofoten Islands, where owner Erling
Storm visited the grave of his great-grandfather, Jens Lauritz Hemsen, once minister for the whole region. He found the grave
well-tended and the story of this man’s kindness and courage unforgotten after more than 120 years. Jens had brought food and
comfort to a parishioner dying of typhoid whom no one else dared approach, but his kindness cost him his life, at the age of just 36.
Spring 2016 will find Eileen ll in the clear waters around the islands, taking guests skrei (cod) fishing and on whale safaris. On
midsummer’s day Erling hopes a recast bell will be installed in a new belltower in the Bjarkøy graveyard near his great-grandfather’s
church, to ring out at burials for another 120 years. Afterwards Eileen will sail back home, mission accomplished.ARCTIC CIRCLE
Mission to Lofoten
BLACKWATER RIVER, ESSEX
Marconi Sailing
Club acquires gig
WARTIME
Little-known story of
the war tugs
Maritime historian Ian Dear’s new book The Tattie
Lads, due for publication next summer, tells the
story of the Deep Sea Rescue Tug Service in both
world wars, writes Clare McComb.
The development and deployment of the Naval
Rescue Tug Service, known as T12T, was one of the
most important and closely guarded secrets of World
War II. Many are still unaware that such a service
existed, while very few know what it did. By bringing
back to port nearly three million tons of torpedoed
shipping, saving cargoes and crews, the Rescue
Tugs made a crucial contribution to the the Allied
victory, including playing an important part in the
Battle of the Atlantic and towing the Mulberry
harbours for D Day. Their service in World War I
was also vital but the full story has yet to be told.Marconi Sailing Club recently took delivery of its new 24ft
(7.3m) East Coast Rowing Gig, christened Elettra. Purchase
of the gig was aided by a Sport England grant. The club is
now looking for members to crew it for recreational
outings, training and racing against other clubs.
She has been built by Harker’s Yard, a boatbuilding
facility developed and run by the Pioneer Sailing Trust that
provides apprenticeships and work experience for young
people wanting to enter the marine industry.
The name Elettra is after the daughter of radio pioneer
Guglielmo Marconi, who based his works – the world's first
wireless factory – in Chelmsford and set up the Marconi
Sailing Club for the enjoyment of his employees.
The members bought the club in the liquidation that
followed the company's demise and it continues as an
active sailing club to this day.