Punt gun on the Orwell

[Zippysigma]

I was Sailing up the Orwell on Thursday after a couple of days in the Deben and heard this very loud explosion.

Looking to the port bank, there was a lot of whitish grey smoke.

I got the bins out and there was a punt gun - white, low in the water with a huge gun on the foredeck.

This was about 1/2 mile upstream of Guapa's empty mooring.

The guy rowed to shore, but did not seem to pick up the loads of ducks I thought he would. He then started his outboard (modern meets traditional) and motored towards Pin Mill.

I have seen these in old photos of the Norfolk Broads, but it was fascinating to see one in use. (Although if he did not collect any ducks, not sure what use!)

Anyway, it scared the life out of me, so watch out anyone winter sailing in the Orwell!

 

[MoodySabre]

Last Jan we walked from Heybridge to Goldhanger and we saw one moored - minus gun.

 

[shmoo]

The lengths to which some people will go to defend a good mooring!

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

If you ever walk up the river bank from Shotley towards Pin Mill (which I highly recommend.... its a lovely walk), there is a large area of marshy waters maintained by a society of some sort or other specifically for this purpose.....

 

[Zippysigma]

Ahh! that is exactly where it was!

NEar a black house with terracotta coloured roof.

 

[leomagill]

Are you sure it's not the new borders agency tactic for scaring off asylum seakers?

 

[Poignard]

I saw one of these punt guns in a museum [I think it was the Royal Armouries, Leeds], and watched a video of it in use. Very impressive.

 

[Zippysigma]

could be what Guapa is really having fitted. the new deck is just a ruse. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif