Miss Marple

[byron]

Just switched channels and caught the end of Miss Marple. Some of the scenes depicts a chap rowing on a river. I couldn't help but notice that the dinghy was fibre-glass. Now I know they have to write certain people in to satisfy the P.C. Nazis and they write out Smokers for the same reason. I just wondered who would be offended had they used a wooden dinghy. Is the fact that fibre-glass hadn't been invented at that time contravening some politically incorrect nonsense I am unaware of?

 

[mlines]

Pedant alert:

Fibreglass was invented in 1938

Miss Marple is set in the 1950's

 

[byron]

Pedant alert:

Fibreglass was invented in 1938

Miss Marple is set in the 1950's

I didn't know that. When did they start bulk building Skiffs in this material? The reason I ask is the dinghy was taken from what looked like a fleet of maybe a dozen.

 

[Chris_d]

I think Salters and Bossoms were building fibreglass skiffs for hire use at least as early as the 60's, could be earlier but can't be sure.

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

The first Jane Marple story appeared in 1930, and the majority were published before 1960.

Fibreglass itself may have been invented in 1938 (I wouldn't know), but fibreglass as a construction method/material for boats wasn't in common use till the early 60s.

So while I think the jury's probably still out on this, I'm inclined to agree with Byron.

Mike

 

[boatone]

I blame the continuity person.

 

[Actionmat]

From 1952……… Gloves are for pansies
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/glass-boats/query/fibre+glass+boat

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Hh'mmm... That's not a pseudo-clinker dinghy. And I did say "in common use".

Nowadays of course they even make pseudo-clinkers from pressed aluminium....

Mike

 

[apollo]

From 1952……… Gloves are for pansies
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/glass-boats/query/fibre+glass+boat

Was that linden Lewis site at Shepperton where they launched it?

 

[ianc1200]

What's this with "Linden Lewis"?

If you mean Duntons, yes that's where it was launched.