The Battle of the Medway Commemorations. June 2017. Update

[oldgit]

Met with our Dutch compatriots on Friday to get an idea of what is going on.
Of major interest to Medway boaters will be the arrival of the first Dutch "Fleet" of around 100 vessels on Thursday 8th of June.
The plan is to assemble at Queenborough in the late morning and sail up the river to Chatham to take up their allocated berths.
Should be quite a sight as the yachts will be led in by the sailing ships and Dutch military vessels.
Boats from other EU countries expected to be tagging along.
The second fleet will be arriving at the end of the week.
More to follow.
Ps. We have over 40 boats booked in with us for the Rochester Sweeps Festival.

 

[AuntyRinum]

You could combine it with the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway in June 1942, and maybe get some US aircraft carriers to join in. That would be spectacular.

 

[oldgit]

You could combine it with the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway in June 1942, and maybe get some US aircraft carriers to join in. That would be spectacular.

Best we can rustle up for the Medway "do" will be RN Frigate
some totally unfounded rumours floating around that the Oriana could be putting in an appearance,if a sponsor can found to fund the tow round (and back ).
Would be nice to see her round on a river with some actual real proper salty naval history.

 

[oldgit]

More news.

All lifted directly from the most excellent MSBA webite.
[h=1]Battle of Chatham / Medway in Flames – Latest Update[/h] Posted on 3rd April 2017
1
The Dutch are well underway with the registration of the 200 or so yachts and ships coming to the Medway for the historic event. The really good news is that the bulk of the Dutch visitors will be split into two fleets.
Fleet 1, consisting of; tall ships, including the HNLMS Urania, the brigs; Merganster and Aphrodite; many yachts from the Royal Maas Yacht Club from Rotterdam, and; historic steam and motor vessels, will gather at Queenborough on Wednesday. 7 June 2017 and sail, in company, up the Medway, on the morning of Thursday, 8 June 2017, with the Dutch royal prince taking the salute at Upnor castle. Fleet 1 will leave the Medway on 12 / 13 June 2017.
Fleet 2, up to 90 yachts, largely from the Dutch Offshore Sailing Club, will gather at Stangate Creek and sail up the Medway on 14 June 2017, leaving on 18 June 2017.
Many of the historic ships will be open to the public as well as the visiting Dutch and British naval vessel, which will be berthed in Chatham Docks, Basin 2.
The event grand finale takes place on Saturday, 17 June 2017. The day includes entertainment on the river; a parade of sail with Dutch and local yachts and ships, including a modern steam vessel and many of the Fleet 2 yachts. The day culminates with the ‘Medway in Flames’, a son-et-lumiere and firework display with Upnor Castle as the backdrop, with magnificent views from MYC.
The Medway and Swale Boating Association (MSBA) and member clubs and marinas, including Medway YC and Upnor SC, are providing moorings for our Dutch visitors and arranging river activities.
Our Medway and Upnor clubs are working together to provide breakfast and evening meal galley facilities, and; to arrange Hog Roast evenings with a sea shanty band, at MYC, on Saturday 10 June and Friday 16 June 2017. There will also be a ‘Pub Night’ meal, served from the counter, with Upnor SC running a Quiz, on Thursday 15 June.
Hoo Ness YC, together with Medway Cruising Club and Segas SC are providing moorings and hospitality for a small fleet of ‘Gaffers’ from Holland and the east coast.
Websites providing further information can be found at www.deruyter.org and www.visitmedway.org
Brian Corbett, MSBA Chairman