Dulcibella in her grave – Wootton Creek 1937

I often tell people that I one of the best inbox in sailing

and this afternoon I got this from the most excellent WDPatt

this is what he writes

Hello dylan

KTL 109 film Orwell to Deben

 

I  final notice you pointing out that the 'rebel english officer' Dollman helped the dutch in 1667 try and take languard point............

This is as I'm sure you know the 'Rebel english officer' in the Riddle of the Sands had the same name!

But also you pointed out the starting cannon that was donated to the RHYC near pin mill was from Arthur Davies, One of the good guys in the Riddle of the sands!

 

I do hope I am not the last person to notice what Erskin Childes  (might have) done!

 

Last Photo of Erskin Childes boat Dulcibella.

..I'm sure it would have been broken up during the war.

Remarkably like the boat  used in the Simon McCorkendale movie in the 70's.

I think this was near where you got the 'Slug?

warren

 

 

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4 Responses to “Dulcibella in her grave – Wootton Creek 1937”

  1. 18 February, 2012 at 5:29 pmNorman says:

    I thought the Dulcie was a flat bottomed boat. Hmmm

  2. 19 February, 2012 at 10:12 pmSails149 says:

    Well Spotted and a good point.
    from the book
    “that’s where our shallow draught and flat bottom came in”
    The photo is actually of ‘Vixen’ that was Childes first boat which
    he used to explore the ‘sands’ and developed his ideas for the story.
    Dulcibella was based on this boat.
    also from the book
    ‘I should add here that in the distant past she had been a lifeboat, and had been clumsily converted into a yacht by the addition of a counter, deck, and the necessary spars. She was built, as all lifeboats are, diagonally, of two skins of teak, and thus had immense strength, though, in the matter of looks, all a hybrid’s failings.’
    This would explain the smooth skin of the hull and I think the defination of ‘Flat bottom’ could be considered sort of loose.
    I would also think it was probably not a ships lifeboat but a shore based boat.
    Most Ships lifeboats were ‘Lap strake planked’ as it was cheap and resisted being dry for a long time without the seams opening up.
    I think a flat bottom/hard chine boat as we think of now would not have been sutiable constructtion for a liftboat of any sort.
    Also i forgot that she did survive the war being broken up in 148 after failed thoughts of a rebuild.
    w

  3. 23 September, 2014 at 12:39 pmJohn Elwyn Kimber says:

    Maldwyn Drummond in his book on Childers wrote, as I recall, that the ‘Dulce’ had ‘sat down’ and was irreparable by the time this sad photo was taken. The yard needed the space so they eventually burnt her.

  4. 22 October, 2015 at 12:31 amWarren says:

    Hi
    Not burned but broken up after the remains of the preservation committee could not raise the funds.
    Childers last boat ,Asgard has recently been restored, 2013,. By the Irish. ( he used it to run guns to the Irish in 1914 I think).
    The boat was/ is a lovely 50′ Colin Archer custom built for him by his american father in law as a wedding present.
    See the later posts about riddle of the sands for photo
    Warren

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