The Battle of the Medway

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oldgit

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Calm down,its not what you hope ..........
In June 1667 the Dutch Navy,probably over a litre or two decided to pop over on a sort of boys weekend and raid the Medway. Our local council has decided to commemorate the event by inviting over a Dutch sailing club or two during June 2017.
Basically they( the Dutch) sauntered into the river avoiding various bits of chain and blockships, casually cruised up to Chatham, selected a few half decent ships as prizes and with time on their hands (waiting for ebb ) set fire to what was left.
The only opposition was when the local garrison,while running away, probably hurled an insult or two at the retiring Dutch fleet hampered only by the towing of our fleet back to Holland..
A chance to get our revenge by making them eat our awful food and rubbish beer ? . :)
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_medway_1667.html
 
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In the true spirit of this day and age, wouldn't it be more appropriate for the council to mount a huge claim for compensation/reparation?
Good chance, given inflation and all, could pull in enough dosh to clean up the Merdway and maybe even chuck a few bob the EA's way to help ease the funding crisis?
Just a thought ......
 
The French tried it on in Plymouth in 1340. They manged to get a couple of hundred yards from their ships before being driven back by the town militia.
We did however have the good grace to commemorate their failure by naming Plymouth Bus Station 'Brettonside' which is where they were
halted.:)
 
Good chance, given inflation and all, could pull in enough dosh to clean up the Merdway and maybe even chuck a few bob the EA's way to help ease the funding crisis?
Just a thought ......
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Actually due to EU legislation the Medway is very much cleaner both above and below the lock.*:)
Due to even more EU regulations the air is cleaner as well due the demolition of the coal fired power stations.:)
As for funding the nice EA have provided sufficient funds to completely renovate East Farleigh lock chamber, so not sure where this rumour about a shortage of cash comes from.:):):)
Life is good.

*apart from the odd three piece suite !
 
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boatone said:
In the true spirit of this day and age, wouldn't it be more appropriate for the council to mount a huge claim for compensation/reparation?
Good chance, given inflation and all, could pull in enough dosh to clean up the Merdway and maybe even chuck a few bob the EA's way to help ease the funding crisis?
Just a thought ......
Click to expand...

"Sorry" is the new all encompassing / snivelling get-out
 
Re the Dutch Invasion -

The local Rochester Museum has very detailed and entertaining displays about the Invasion, well worth popping into see them.

Probably still has the life size replica of a 'Ships Deck' with sound effects to stroll over.

The replcia charts and maps refer to Gillingham as Jillyingham which is interesting.
 
Yup the display is still in the "Guildhall museum", just down from the famous clock mentioned in a Dickens novel and opposite an old coaching inn, The Bull,also mentioned in a Dickens novel...etc etc.
Think Samuel Pepys was in charge ? of the powder and ball at Upnor Castle at the time.
Due to penny pinching from the Crown over many years the cannon had gone a bit rusty and the powder was damp.
Apparently ratings at the castle were forced to do all sorts of odd jobs to suppliment their income in order not to starve.
Good job things have changed since then eh :).
If you look across from the MDL marina you still see painted on the wall
"NO MOORING" where the munitions were unloaded right up until the last war.
 
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Fred,
Might I suggest that you back through the RCC archives. I believe there was an event such as this around the mid 70's..... check with someone with all the admirals cruise pennants, as the cruise was centred around this. I'm sure you will find one commemorating the Dutch Invasion of the Medway. I'm sure my dad was admirals barge at the time with the 'Arctic'. A converted London/Rochester 86 ft motor barge..... The hold was the master cabin!
These were the heady days, where over 200 boats took part, we had the Knights tugs squirting water and a flypast from Rochester Airport.
 
Medway Mudlark said:
Fred,
Might I suggest that you back through the RCC archives. I believe there was an event such as this around the mid 70's..... check with someone with all the admirals cruise pennants, as the cruise was centred around this. I'm sure you will find one commemorating the Dutch Invasion of the Medway. I'm sure my dad was admirals barge at the time with the 'Arctic'. A converted London/Rochester 86 ft motor barge..... The hold was the master cabin!
These were the heady days, where over 200 boats took part, we had the Knights tugs squirting water and a flypast from Rochester Airport.
Click to expand...

Humm, cripes yes those were the days on the Medway, lots more commercial craft on the river and the Fishing Boats tied up by the Pier were actively fishing
 
There is in existance a video which may well cover this event. Basically an afternoon of absolute mayhem and semi organised chaos.
Water opposite club moorings is covered in boats large and small tearing up and down river in a most worrying fashion.In the middle of all this is a raft race .
ROFF is probably more active now that it has been for years,recently having indentured about half a dozen new apprentices.The fishing boats have merely moved above the bridge (no masts) to the Pelican boatyard.
The boats are still fishing and can be spotted at all sorts of ungodly hours trawling the river.
Could relate some stories about unusual fish being caught and peculiar tales of freshwater fish being caught far downstream of their natural habitat.
Salmon,trout and seals are just everyday things now.
 
There is a good deal of information at Upnor castle about the Dutch invasion and sacking of the British fleet. Well worth a visit, altho' not easy to get to from Chatham Marina!!
 
There is a trip/tour/ commuter boat running from Rochester Pier,just below Rochster Castle, down river to view the various sights. Not sure of running frequency or final destinations before returning but it does call in at Sun Pier and possibly MDL .?

It has been running all year round so far.......

Would be nice if the locals could be persuaded that the river is not somewhere merely to dump trolleys.
 
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