Bawley Thistle

[ianc1200]

For those that don't know, confusingly, there is a Thames Sailing Barge called Thistle, a smack called Thistle and a Bawley called Thistle. Earlier this year the Bawley Thistle sank on her moorings, having been in good condition a few years ago. However the condition now is so poor, the current owner is offering her free to a good home or she will be broken up in the Spring. I don't know the owner, or the boat, but have been following the saga via Facebook and talking (in the more normal fashion face to face!) to those who know something of her more recent history, but it is so sad this could happen.

 

[burgundyben]

She's a pretty hull, I wonder if this link to facebook will work.

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=bawley thistle

I wonder how bad she is.

 

[Keith 66]

There was another bawley over on the Medway, the Harwich bawley Maud built by Cann's in 1898, big 38ft boat with beautiful lines. She lay at Benfleet for many years and went over to Hoo, last i heard she had been hulked on the saltings.
Anyone know if she is still around?

 

[ianc1200]

On the same FB thread linked to by burgundeyben, Dennis, the owner of the Bawley Doris of Leigh, says Maud is in a sunk drydock at Hoo. He has photo's of her sailing when working, but also in the drydock 13 years ago looking so bad, planks off, just the hulk etc.

 

[Keith 66]

That is a shame, I saw her 30 odd years ago in the drydock at Halcons on Canvey & she had gorgeous lines. She was in a state then.

 

[RR2 Thistle]

RR2 Thistle has been rescued and is now lieing at Iron Wharf Boatyard, Faversham. She is being restored as we speak, and she is in pretty good condition considering she had been neglected for quite some time. If you have FB she has her own page now, RR2 thistle, there's been lots going on.

 

[ianc1200]

Well worth a visit to that FB group. There's video's of caulking (with oakum, is this still called "caulking"?) and other restoration techniques.

 

[Prasutigus]

Greetings..
well done to the people taking her on. Let's just hope there aren't any more midnight conflagrations at Iron Wharf!

 

[RR2 Thistle]

It's still caulking, and the oakum is the product we used, it was originally old rope if you didnt know that is. Thanks for the compliment, and please do keep watching the page, as we'll be posting during the winter. We're in the process of working out how much wood we need !

 

[RR2 Thistle]

haha, there's always something going on at Iron Wharf, it's a great place.