H. Alker-Tripp

[Hoilung]

It may be that I should really post this request in the 'Wanted' section; somehow though, I feel I might have more success here.

I have a copy of Alker-Tripp's 'The Solent & The Southern Waters', first published in 1928, and very interesting it has been to read about Yachting on the South Coast in days of yore! Things have changed more than a little!

However, now that I've seen the light and moved east, I'd really like to get hold of a copy of his 'Suffolk Sea Borders'. I also think he wrote about Essex and Sussex (Shoal Water and Fairway - If that's not correct I'm sure the Learned readership can point out the error of my ways!).

Does anyone have a copy they want to sell - or can anyone point me to a bookseller who might have a copy?

Cheers all.

T.

PS Vote of thanks to Mirelle and FF for excellent Pub recommendations!

 

[Santana379]

Hello Hoilung

The best source by far for second hand books on the www (that I'm aware of), including boaty books, is:

http://www.abebooks.co.uk

It contains the inventories of numerous booksellers. I have been 100% satisfied with the service from them (half a dozen purchases).

Suffice to say, your book is listed there - just do a search on the author.

Cheers FF

PS Bit worried about you reading more - you seem to have a memory like a computer for quotes!

 

[Hoilung]

Hi there FF,

Thanks for the link; I follow that up and let you know how I get on. I'll try not to start waxing too lyrical next time we sample Mr. Adnams Broadside! Just don't start me off on 'The Riddle' though...

T.

 

[Mirelle]

According to my late father, he was a Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police. At least, I think it was him. Anyway, I've got a copy of "East Coast Rivers" by Lt SVC Messum, RN, 1903, which is reputed to be the original for the "slim volume of sailing directions to an estuary" which plays such a pivotal role in The Riddle; I'll bring it along this Saturday.

 

[Peterduck]

"Shoal Water and Fairway" was donated to my Yacht Club library, from where I have been able to read it. Wonderful writer and brilliant artist, too. I have since wondered if the late, great MG had also studied Alker Tripp's style of writing, as they are so similar. Well worth pursuing.
Peter.

 

[Hoilung]

Been and gone and done it now!

Followed up on FF's book link and have found the books I was after. Picking up on the comment re Alker-Tripp's style and the link with MG; I'm sure in one of MG's books (The First Of the Tide? can't check, my copy is aboard Hoi Lung!) he is talking about the development of the barge-yacht as a type on the east coast, and lists a number of examples, including 'Growler'; I assume that this is A-T's 'Growler' - "a twelve ton yacht of barge type, cutter-rigged, built in Maldon, Essex.

Also, I think that Messum's pilot-book as referred to by Mirelle, was the one that MG described - also in First Of the Tide.

PS Mirelle - I won't be around this coming weekend, but will definitely be around weekend of 7/8 April.

 

[Mirelle]

See you then.

"Growler" is still about, I fancy. She was for sale in Woodbridge about 20 years ago and more recently the harbourmaster at Woolverstone owned her, I think.

 

[Hoilung]

Delighted to hear that she may still be around. I shall keep a sharp lookout this season. The dust jacket of my copy of 'Solent & The Southern Waters' states that she had been built in 1910 by John Howard. Tripp owned her for thirty years. According to the same source, she was listed in Lloyd's Register until about 1964.

 

[Santana379]

Tried to find my copy of of First of the Tide to look up Growler for you, but then realised its out on loan. Got a nice signed copy of Magic of the Swatchways, but that's not much help in this context. (That's signed by MG, not be me!)

 

[kestrel1891]

I've always been a bit confused about Growler. My 1954 Lloyds lists two Growlers, the Alker-Tripp one built by Howard at Maldon and a second of similar size, with lee boards, that was built at Conyer in 1922.

Lloyds of 1976 only lists the Conyer Growler, being kept at Woodbridge. This may be the one Mirelle (and myself, faintly) recalls.

I saw a Growler about 10 years ago upriver of Snape bridge (yes, upriver). I understand she was taken away by road for restoration somewhere in Suffolk. Fear the worst.

What a fantastic name Growler is.

 

[Santana379]

Yes - a great name.

There's a Growler on the Orwell, but it's a modernish catamaran.

I also know someone with a Cheoy Lee Clipper on the Orwell who is known as Growler by his family, but it probably isn't such a good name for a skipper. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mirelle]

End of the line?

I think you are certainly right; the boat I remember seeing at Woodbridge was almost certainly the later, Kentish-built, boat, and indeed I suspect she is the boat that left Snape on the back of a lorry.

I once set out to track down another Howard boat, the 1903 36ft smack yacht "Alanna", which had once belonged to an uncle of mine, and I remember being told by Pat, the old landlord at the Butt and Oyster, he of the handlebar moustaches and the Giles cartoon, back in the days when that pub was not what it is now, but was a place where the mere yachtsman ventured with caution, for fear of disturbing legions of elderly barge skippers, that she had been taken apart and her frames had disappeared inland on the back of a lorry "for restoration". RIP.

 

[Santana379]

Re: Growler

I have followed a link over on ITV titled "Data Protection & SSR" and established that there are seven Growlers with radio licences. Three are abroad, two are fishing boats, one is a motor boat, and one is a yacht, gross tonnage 4, owned by someone called Sugg.

As I established by looking up my friends' boat names, of course not everyone has a licence!

Scary what you can find out, isn't it.

 

[Hoilung]

Re: End of the line?

RIP indeed. At least though she can still live on whilst we can read about her exploits in A-T's books.

Incidentally, a little more on the great man's bio. Appointed to Scotland Yard in 1902, became Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in 1932. Knighted in 1945. Talented writer and artist. In fact quite a guy!

 

[Kevin_Fuller]

Re: Alker Tripp Books

I was interested to read the threads on Alker Tripp's books.

I have four Alker Tripp books in my own collection of books, those being:
Shoalwater and Fairway, 1924
Suffolk Sea-Borders, 1926
The Solent and the Southern Waters, 1928
Under the Cabin Lamp, 1950

And with someone asking whether Maurice griffiths was influenced by Alker Tripp's writings. In 1995 a few years before MG died he sold me a few yachting books from his collection to make room on his bookshelves for his train book collection! One of those books is Alker Tripp's 'The Solent and the Southern Waters' in which is pasted a photo of MG's boat 'Wilful' and an inscription. As editor of Yachting Monthly, MG would have known Alker Tripp personally. AK also contributed to the Yachting Monthly magazine too on occasions. I'm sure they would known & influenced each other's writings.

By chance too my copy of AK's 'Suffolk Sea Borders' is author & the National Maritime Museum ex-first director, Frank Carr's copy. It has his name & the name of his ex-pilot cutter 'Cariad' inscribed on the inner cover of .

<font color="blue"> </font>

 

[Transcur]

I last saw Growler about seven years ago in Crowfield. She was covered up then but in poor condition. I think but am not certain that she has been moved to Dedham awaiting restoration? Agree with Andrew that one of the owners believe joint) lives on the barge next to the Butt and Oyster.

Can find out more if necassary.