Better than using sails.

PYEFLEET, the old steam oyster dredger for the Colne Oyster fisheries. C.K.28 was built at the Rowhedge Ironworks in 1895 and was srapped at Heybridge near Maldon in 1930. This boat was superseded in 1930 by PYEFLEET 11 C.K.23, an almost identical boat which was still going in 1945 when it was altered into a yacht. They both had twin cylinder steam engines built by Mumfords of Colchester and the boilers by Davey Paxman.
Both boats were built for the Colne Oyster Fisheries , Brightlingsea ,and the Harbour board of Colchester Borough Council.

What a view

The ferry at Wivenhoe with some old steam yachts in the background.

These look like old yachts.

Old sailing yachts on the colne at Wivenhoe..

the good old days.

Wivenhoe port when it was still open in 1984

I doubt if we ever see this again.

A long forgotten site of a coaster heading towards the Hythe,  photo taken in 1985 from lower lodge estate.
Photo Mike Dufton.

That went down with a bang

WivenhoeFactory Refused.

June 1909 At Lexden and Winstree Session The Nitro Compounds Co.Ltd applied for the licensing of a proposed Explosives factory at Wivenhoe.

It was opposed by Mr. C. E. Gooch of Wivenhoe Park ; Mr. Barlow of Wivenhoe Hall, The Great Eastern Railway and the Town Clerk of Colchester.

Mr. Robert Moore, secretary of the company, said there was no danger of explosion .  The Wivenhoe public were in favour of the factory.

Alderman E.J. Sanders, chairman of the Colne oyster fisheries,said he regarded with great Apprehension  any factory which might  discharge noxious fluid into the Colne.

The bench refused the application.

Essex Newsman, Saturday June 5th 1909.

Cheers, down the hatch, well not down the hatch of the boat!

The opening of the Colne oyster fishery, normally in the spring, here can be seen all the dignitaries required for the opening including the Mayor of Colchester, as the Colne fishery belonged to the town of Colchester.
This photo was probably taken in Pyefleet Creek off the river colne.

They are celebrating the opening of the fishery with the traditional Gin and Gingerbread.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

This one is for John of Benfleet.

Bridge over the river colne.  Built during the first world war for conveying troops from the Cherry Tree camp at Black heath on the Mersea road to Wivenhoe station.
The middle section is of the cantilever design to allow barge traffic through.
The bridge was built near the Albion pub at Rowhedge over to the Wivenhoe shore.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

It could do with a scrub up.

The Yacht Sorceress laying opposite the ferry hard on the Fingringhoe side of the river.
 Built by Payne of Southampton in 1878. It's dimensions are 51.2 feet long. 13.5 feet in the beam and weighing 32 tons. originally owned by Capt. Lynch-Staunton .
The launch behind the Sorceress with the blue and white hull belonged to Rear Admiral John Lee-Barber ,who lived in the ferry house

Wivenhoe Memories collection.
Thanks to Christine Payne.

Charlie Sainty loved this old yacht.

This lovely picture of the yacht Vigia which was built in 1872, shows her new owner seen here in 1924.  She was later owned by Mr. Charles Sainty and graced the River Colne for many years until his death.

Wivenhoe Memories collection .
Thanks to John Collins.