Miniature Brig in Haslar Creek

Poignard

Poignard

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 Jul 2005
Messages
55,655
Location
South London
Visit site
I was telling somebody the other day about a miniature square rigger [brig?] that used to be moored in Haslar Creek, Gosport. She was about 27-feet long with painted ports [maybe a converted whaler]. I don't think I was believed, but I can distinctly remember seeing her from the Dolphin - Vernon ferry during the 1960's.

Does anyone have any information about this vessel - when built, by whom, is she still afloat etc? Anyone got any pictures?

ps I don't mean the brig "Royalist" [which is a bit longer than 27']
 
Apparently still in commission somewhere in the Portsmouth area - came past my window and into Chichester earlier this season.

Would it be shattering the illusion to suggest that it/she is actually a motorboat with bits on and NOT a replica of anything at all??
 
there is a vessel matching this description on the Hamble, Moored on the piles on the west bank about a cable north of the upstream end of Universal boat yard.

For the life of me I cant remember her name...something like Jessica....
 
I think you're probably talking about "Marjorie" - used to be owned by a retired Admiral, who obviously liked LOTS of string to pull (and it all worked, as I remember). Not a recent conversion, however: she was certainly rigged like that back in the mid 60s.
 
That looks like the one. Some details of her on the National Register of Historic Vessels. I didn't realise she was so old [built 1913] and she's about 42 feet long.
Thanks!
 
Yep, she's been around at least since the 70s in the Solent. I last saw her in June off Cowes. I took a piccie of her, which I'll try and post on here, once I've read up on how to do it, unless someone else gets there before me!

Doug
 
Re Marjorie: maybe she alternates moorings according to the season or her owner's whim. During the summer, she's normally moored about 1 mile downriver from our mooring on the Beaulieu but I noticed she wasn't there when I took my boat down to the Yard to be hauled out last week /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

This photo (from the Historic Ships' website) certainly looks as if it was taken on the Beaulieu.

marjorie3.jpg


Owner's often on board and, as in this photo, sports a white ensign. There's posh....
 
His SWMBO usually seems to be on board as well. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I've never seen him setting sail so I don't know how it's done. As you can see, there are ratlines, but I suspect it can all be controlled from on deck or else it would take rather a lot of time to put in a reef in a blow! Also - and how can I put this tactfully? - he looks as if he is of an age to be in receipt of a state pension, and I suspect he doesn't want to be shinning up and down the masts at regular intervals.

Great fun - it always brings a smile to our faces when we pass her.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top