"City of Edinboro" ex "William McCann"

jerrytug

jerrytug

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\"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Hi guys,Pritch and Jerry are trying to get back on board this Victorian Hull gaff ketch trawler, which we crewed on years ago,as we heard a rumour she has been recomissioned,or to get in touch with the old skipper Henry,can anyone who knows whereabouts help, thanks Jerry.
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

City of Edinboro is out of the water, up her own slip in her own fabric building at the Excelsior yard at Harbour Road in Oulton Broad. Certainly not recommissioned but awaiting the results of two grant applications (c£400k) to start complete rebuild as a wooden shipbuilding project with the IBTC - who are also on Harbour Road.

If the grants come through completion will inevitably take several years. One grant covers profesional replacement of the keel - which broke whilst parked on a rock in Brittany.

Things are beginning to move but at least the boat's under cover. Borate treatment should go ahead shortly to help prevent deterioration.

In the meantime if you want to sail an authentic east coast trawler you'll haved to sail on Excelsior!
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Dr Henry Irving, historian of Hull University and restorer (after a fashion) of commercial sailing vessels.
He was a drinking buddy of a friend's father. I'll e-mail him and see if he knows his situation (he won't be so young now).
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Don't know about "after a fashion"; when the McCann had been converted back to sail after working as a motor trawler (in 1984), I thought she was pretty smart, and everything worked fine. I'm looking at a picture of her now, on her first sail on the Humber, and she looks pretty good. I, too, look forward to sailing on her again - though I'm not sure about going back to tiller steering, which I gather is planned.
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

The William McCann did have a lot of serious refurbishment done. I remember some of the huge timbers being replaced.
I was referring to the Venture, really. His previous boat. It was a bit more "rustic" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Hi Jerry I spoke to Henry last week They have just brought a canal cruiser to take into the inland waterways Both he & Polly are very well. Its just the old McCann that languishes .

P.S Henry was a Dr of Geography at Hull not a historian
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

I thought that, I seemed to remember he'd published books on the subject. Just shows that you can't believe the internetworkweb. He's also been elevated to a knighthood by some book shop sites that are selling his book on mudplugging

Tidal-Havens-of-the-Wash-&-Humber-by-Henry-Irving-medium.jpg
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Apart from the odd Mission Smack, all East Coast sailing trawlers were tiller steered. Once the sails were balanced, this didn't seem to make a lot of difference - most trawling photos don't seem to have anyone on the helm! Best to keep it authentic. OF
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

That's true, Frank, but having no engines they didn't go astern under power - I wonder whether this may be a manoeuvre where the tiller steering could be a disadvantage. I was very impressed by Henry Irving's ability to turn the ship in her own length in confined situations, using wheel and engine. In addition, of course, the original smacks stayed at sea for long periods, sometimes over many crew changes, and took a steam tug when they needed to enter or leave port.
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Er no. A single engine used to mean that the rudder post had to be drilled to take a propshaft - usually a disproportionate percentage of the width of the rudder post - which weakens the structure considerably. Most sailing tawlers had engines fitted in the 1930s.

Either twin engines or hydraulic/electric drive to twin props make for easy parking and a stronger structure.

The handle isn't the only consideration! O.F.
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

McCann ( ex "City of Edinbro") was first engined in 1926 then re-engined with the 200 HP B&W in 1954. along with the two blade variable pitch stern gear
on the centre line.
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Yes I was wondering about reverting to tiller. She was sweet on the wheel,once trimmed no probs with only helmsman on deck,stick steering sounds a bit "sporty",how many guys would you need on it? And,heaving yourself about the deck,how keep an eye on the compass? No criticism intended of restoration project,original is good so we can experience what it was like,will she be keeping the old B`n`W?
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

I Believe the B&W Alfa was wrecked after the boat sank at its mooring in Hartlepool. somebody tried to fire it up whilst the bores were full of water and destroyed the crank shaft. Alf R.I.P
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Might make maneuvering a little easier but Two dirty great props sat right in the run don't half take the sparkle off the sailing performance.
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Not if they're feathering props. You don't need a great hole in the leading edge of the rudder either. With a complete rudder post, the system is more sound in every respect.

Excelsior's tiller can be handled by one person when manoeuvring - and she still has a single prop.
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

You make an interesting point Frank - I hadn't considered that. Do you find that 'Excelsior's' structure has been significantly weakened by the fitting of the single prop?
 
Re: \"City of Edinboro\" ex \"William McCann\"

Hi,

Just wanted to ask you to please pass regards to Henry when next in touch. My brother Ian was amongst the crew that brought William McCann to Hull when Henry bought her, and I used to sail in small flotilla with Henry and my dad, Peter, when Henry was compiling his waterways guide - great times!!

many thanks
 
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