LETTER OF THE MONTH
SUPPORTED BY OLD PULTENEY WHISKY(^94) CLASSIC BOAT AUGUST 2019
Letters
After splining some big planking gaps near the bows of Paul Jones, my 1961
English Folkboat, I wanted to pour over some Swedish pitch. The idea was
to fill the small recesses between planks and ribs to let any water flow down
to the bilge pump. I was wondering what would be the best way to melt and
pour the pitch without making too much mess so Tom Cunlie’s article
(‘Pouring Pitch’ – May issue) was perfectly timed. His suggestion to use a
kettle meant sacrificing our tea-making capability but it worked a treat.
I’ve been making videos about the project, so if you want to see how it
worked out, search for ‘Folkboat open hull’ at youtube.com.
Steve Jones, by email
More info Six metre painting
Regarding the article on Bonhams painting of 6 Metres
racing in this issue of Classic Boat, K8 was Zenith,
designed and built by Fife in 1924 and owned by me
many years ago. The last we heard she was restored in
Cornwall and then moved to Switzerland.
Dave Brewer
Researching the picnic
boat deaths
I wonder if any of your readers can help with details,
particularly the name of the builder but also any other
information concerning the Mountstewart (see picture),
such as plans, photographs or other details. With
colleagues, I have been researching the circumstances
surrounding the loss of this clinker-built boat during a
picnic outing on Strangford Lough, Co. Down on 11
April 1895.
All hands, including four domestic sta (Joseph
Grainge, Elizabeth Dougal, Eliza Taunt, William Rowe)
from the household of Lord Londonderry, two sta
from the visiting Lord Enniskillen’s party (William Start,
Jane Cheshire) and the two boatmen (William and
Robert Hagan), were lost. The boat was commissioned
by the Marchioness of Londonderry (Lady Theresa)
from a builder in Cowes. Length 22ft, breadth 6.5ft,
6cwt ballast, standing lug sail with jib, square stern.
Payment was made on 11 April 1892 to the Clyde
Shipping Co for carriage of a boat for Lady
Londonderry suggesting that it was built before this
date. Most documents refer to it as the Mountstewart
but some may use the name Mount Stewart.
James Elliott, by email
Pitch kettle
Viking ships in Oslo in critical condition
It has long been known that the Viking ships in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo
are in a very poor condition. Extensive studies on the condition of the Gokstad
and Oseberg ships in recent years have concluded that immediate action is
required to avoid major damage or in the worst case, collapse.
The Norwegian government has been aware of this for many years. But
annual budgets have repeatedly failed to allocate the necessary funds for
preservation. Recently, the government presented its revised national budget in
the Norwegian parliament (the Storting). Once again no funds were allocated
for preservation. A number of organisations in Norway are currently urging the
Storting to award the necessary funds to avoid further damage to the ships
without delay.
Together with Norwegian stave churches, the Viking ships are Norway’s most
important contribution to world heritage. The collapse of these Viking ships
would be a disaster for Norwegian cultural relics administration that would make
waves across the world.
Tore Olsen for Forbundet Kysten