When Wivenhoe had a Maritime workforce

Wivenhoe shipbuilding at full capacity at Cook's shipyard at Wivenhoe in the 1980's

What a wonderful sight.

The lord Nelson Built at james.W. Cook ,Wivenhoe in 1984.  She was fitted out in theSouth of the country , she looks marvelous here in full sail.

The Volta Submarine.

The Midget Submarine built under great secrecy at Forrestt's Shipyard Wivenhoe in 1905, she was named the Volta. Nobody seems to know where the Volta went after it was launched,but is thought to have been bought by the Russians who were at war with Japan.
The Volta eventually found its way to France where it was taken out of service and used as a oil storage tank.
The Volta was 34 feet long with a diameter of about 7 feet and weighed 17 tons.
Another rumour says that in 1909 she was seen near London and was eventually scrapped after the first world war.
I have since found out that a very similar quote as above appeared in the Hawera, North Island, New Zealand newspaper in 1910, Amazing!!.
Thanks to Mary Norris for the research.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Brave Boys.

Motor Torpedo Boat, 233 built by berthon Boat Co. Lymington. this is the Vosper 72-type class.

Wivenhoe memories collection.

Wivenhoe built craft

Motor torpedo boat built at Vospers yard at Wivenhoe Essex, 1939-1945.  Here it is seen on trials off the Essex Coast, these craft were capable of speeds in excess of  30 knots. vosper's moved here from the South coast during the war because of the bombing of their yard.