| Horace
Wibrew Black, between the ages of eight and thirteen used to help
out at
Conyer Quay, making trunnels for barge building. He assisted
in the
building of the Thames Barge "Sara"
and assisted in the refits of the "Sirdar" and "Cambria".
He
also
worked in the Smeed, Dean & Co Ltd Brickyards. Horace left school at the age of 13½ (1907), joining his father Frederick James Black who was Bargemaster of the "Sandown". Horace was known to everyone as 'Young Fred', after his father and throughout his working career, was known as either Fred or Freddie. Click here to read H W Black's story in his own words |
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The Boats |
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The "Sandown"
Built for Mercer of Sittingbourne, and owned by George Austen, Denton Wharf, Gravesend from 1919. Derelict at Kettles Yard, Chatham from 1939, was partially burned in 1959 and broken up in 1975. |
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The "Joe"
Owned by Smeed, Dean & Co Ltd., the barge spent much of its time carrying bricks and cement from the Smeed, Dean & Co Brickworks, up river to London for the building of LCC's County Hall on the southbank. Sold to Mr R T Turner in Oct 1933 for £100. Trading to Southend until 1939. Converted to houseboat in 1939 This photograph dates from around 1920, and shows the "Joe" at the Murston loading wharf Reference Letter on leaving the "Joe" for the "Princess Maud" |
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The
"Princess Maud"
Vessel Torpedoed by the UB-88 |
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The "Flavia"
Vessel Torpedoed by the U-107 |
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The "Briton"
Owned by E J & H Goldsmith, Ltd, and used for 'Coasting'. International Call sign: J.V.F.G One of only two barges kept by Goldsmith's, the rest of their fleet having been sold to London and Rochester Trading Company. Eventually sold for use as a lighter and hulked near Sadd's timber yard, Maldon. Broken up at Mistley. |
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Unknown Vessel: Probably a
self-propelling hopper barge
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Unknown Vessel: Probably a self-propelling
hopper barge
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Port of London Authority Hopper
No. 25
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CL "B"
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ML "Windrush"
At the declaration of WW2, the Windrush was laid up for the duration of hostilities. |
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The "Darent"
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The
"Westbourne"
On the 9th April 1941, Horace Black was called to assist in the firefighting at Thameshaven. A fuel tanker ("Lunula") was on fire having been hit by landmine dropped from a German bomber. Read an account here JoTika Models have made an extremely accurate kit model of the Westbourne According to H W Black's Service Record, he left the service in 1946, however, he is in command of the "Yantlet" according to records, two months later. |
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The "Yantlet"
Photograph shows the Yantlet salvaging the Barge "East Anglia", which capsized in the Thames in approx 1948, Horace Black is standing on the bow. |
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The "Tolverne"
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The "Gallions Reach"
H W Black retired in 1960 A few months after retirement, Horace was called back into service and given the Gallions Reach again for a special job. Nore fort (a WW2 sunken pontoon fortification) had been deemed unstable, and a hazard to shipping. Horace was re-commissioned in order to assist in its demolition. Full account of the demolition to appear soon. |
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