Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
The Custom of the Sea by Neil Hanson qualifies, as the voyage of the Mignonette started from Tollesbury. It doesn't end too well, but did throw up an interesting legal precedent.
Best books on voyaging that started from the East coast - any takers?
- Thread starter jezjez
- Start date
ianc1200
Well-Known Member
Follow ups, from two previously mentioned books in this thread.
Swin Swale and Swatchway was written by H Lewis Jones was published in 1892. The follow up, "Last cruise of the Teal", was written by "Leigh Ray" and published in 1893 - same boat/crew, around the Thames estuary then across to the Norwegian fjords (and wrecked in a tunnel) in a sort of fantasy.
As discussed here before, A E Coppings's Gotty and the Guv'nor had a follow up too, "Gotty in Furrin' Parts" - was reprinted as a paperback a few years ago. Quite a detailed account of a Dutch cruise about 1905.
Swin Swale and Swatchway was written by H Lewis Jones was published in 1892. The follow up, "Last cruise of the Teal", was written by "Leigh Ray" and published in 1893 - same boat/crew, around the Thames estuary then across to the Norwegian fjords (and wrecked in a tunnel) in a sort of fantasy.
As discussed here before, A E Coppings's Gotty and the Guv'nor had a follow up too, "Gotty in Furrin' Parts" - was reprinted as a paperback a few years ago. Quite a detailed account of a Dutch cruise about 1905.
jezjez
Well-Known Member
Not the usual way a sailing book starts for sure.
DanTribe
Well-Known Member
Jack Cootes came to our club at North Fambridge and gave a fascinatiing talk on East coast literature. I wish I had kept a note of his reading list. Some of his recomendations were hard to find even then, back in the 70/80s.
Perhaps Janet Harber could help?
I suppose Conrad's Heart of Darkness just about qualifies although I think it's only the first chapter.
Perhaps Janet Harber could help?
I suppose Conrad's Heart of Darkness just about qualifies although I think it's only the first chapter.
Little Tern
Member
Ah, you beat me to it. What a wonderfully evocative beginning:
The Nellie, a cruising yawl, swung to her anchor without a flutter of
the sails, and was at rest. The flood had made, the wind was nearly
calm, and being bound down the river, the only thing for it was to come
to and wait for the turn of the tide.
The sea-reach of the Thames stretched before us like the beginning of
an interminable waterway. In the offing the sea and the sky were welded
together without a joint, and in the luminous space the tanned sails
of the barges drifting up with the tide seemed to stand still in red
clusters of canvas sharply peaked, with gleams of varnished sprits. A
haze rested on the low shores that ran out to sea in vanishing flatness.
The air was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed
condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionless over the biggest,
and the greatest, town on earth.
Rappey
Well-Known Member
With so many voyages leaving the east coast could that suggest people can't get away quick enough ? 
Ok, i will try not to let the door hit me on the way out
Ok, i will try not to let the door hit me on the way out
MoodySabre
Well-Known Member
I enjoyed this partly because I live in Leigh. There’s a follow up “Gotty goes Furrin”.
Gargleblaster
Well-Known Member
Some years ago I came across a book called 'The Third Hand" a fictional account of a working Thames Barge in the 1930s. I can't remember the author and it came and was returned to a club book lending bin. I really enjoyed it well written and a great insight to life aboard a barge.