Classic Ships for Overhaul

Gloucester Docks &
the Sharpness Canal

Classic Ships for Overhaul

Interesting vessels come to Gloucester for repair and maintenance work by T. Nielsen & Co who lease the two dry docks and adjoining workshops. The company, managed by Tommi Nielsen, specialises in the restoration and repair of wooden sailing ships, employing craftsmen who combine the best of modern technology with traditional shipbuilding techniques. The dry docks are also used for inspection and repair of modern steel vessels. Some vessels also come to lie-over during the winter. Interesting vessels noted in December 2011 include topsail schooner Johanna Lucretia, Bristol Channel pilot cutters Cariad, Olga, Kochi, Peggy and Dolphin, ketch Halcyon, former fishing vessels Big Saba, Spartacus and Staale and dredger SND No 4.

See also Four Tall Ships 2009

*Johanna* Lucretia of Plymouth This topsail schooner was built in 1945 in Belgium as a fishing vessel. She was converted for recreational use in 1954 and was based in the Netherlands for 35 years. In 1989 she was bought by British owners and fully refitted in 1991-92 to become a cruising boat. After being abandoned at Gloucester by her owner in 2003, she was purchased by a new owner and given a good overhaul. Top
Cariad This Bristol Channel pilot cutter was built in 1904 by E Rowles at Pill near Bristol, and she was the last in sail in 1922. She later became a yacht and was featured in Frank Carr’s ‘A Yachtsmans Log’ Top
*Olga* This Bristol Channel pilot cutter, built in 1909, is now owned by the Swansea Maritime Museum. Top
*Kochi* This replica Bristol Channel pilot cutter was constructed in India but was damaged in transit to the UK. After much refurbishment work in Tommi Nielsen's shed, she was relaunched at Monk Meadow Quay on 2 Dec 2009 and was moved to the Main Basin for fitting out. Top
Peggy This Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter was built in 1903 by Edwin 'Cracker' Rowles at his yard in Pill on the Bristol Avon and was originally named Wave. She was converted to a yacht in the 1920's and registered as Peggy in London. Top
Dolphin This Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter was built by John Bowden of Porthleven, Cornwall, in 1909. Since 1998, she has been owned by Roger Capps, who has sailed her in the Baltic and the Arctic. Top
*Halcyon* This classic Bermudan ketch was built in 1929 by J I Thorneycroft and Co Ltd of Woolston, Southampton for Lancashire industrialist Sir Samuel Turner. She is constructed of teak planks on oak frames with a burma teak interior. The original teak saloon and main accommodation have been preserved perfectly during her long life. She is available for charter. (Halcyon website) Top
*Big Saba of Dartmouth (ex Nordic Star)* This former trawler from the Pentland Firth was converted for leisure use in the 1980s and was given a major refit of interior accommodation together with re-fastening and re-caulking the deck in 2010. Top
*Spartacus* This former motor fishing vessel from Brixham was fitted with sails which were used for the first time to bring her from Lowestoft to Gloucester in April 2006. Top
*Staale* This ketch-rigged Norwegian fishing vessel was built with pine planking at Alta on the north coast of Norway in 1937. She was converted to a workboat in 1983 for building jetties in north Norway and is now owned by Richard Clapham. Top
SND No 4 This preserved steam-powered bucket dredger was built in Holland in 1925 and was used on the G&S Canal until 1981. It is now looked after by the Friends of the Gloucester Waterways Museum. It is in dry dock to have its hull inspected, and while there its boiler tubes will be replaced, thanks to financial assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Top