It is so sad to see once well founded boats left neglected and abandoned. But then again our boat builders need a steady stream of new orders to support the livelihood of themselves and their families. So maybe we should just accept that there will always be the boats of summer-day past, the boats of summer-day present, and the boats of summer-day future. Let us just remember the old and discarded as fondly as we can.
The stretch of tidal water called Bass Pool on the south side of Piel Island has been a focal point for WMYC sailors in 2019. Abandoned over looking the castle, as high up as can be carried by the tide, where the sand and seaweed give way to grass, lies a boat called ‘Inchree’.
Inchree’s view over Bass Pool and Piel Island beyond
Inchree has lost her bilge keels but still retains her big central block of pig iron. In her day, to keep the crew secure, stanchions once surrounded the boat, but only three now remain. The guardrail wire has long since corroded away.
She’s so slim! But that is how boats had to be in the 50s and 60s. They had to be able to sail to windward. The idea of relying on the superbly reliable power of a modern engine was never fully factored into the equation.
Nevertheless she was equipped with an engine well that would take a small 3hp to get her home in a flat calm. Her owner wouldn’t need to hang over the stern in a seaway to operate the outboard. As can be seen, the port winch has succumbed to the passing years and is missing, but hidden from view, her starboard twin is still there and can be turned by hand, albeit with difficulty..
‘Inchree’s cabin by modern standards is very compact. Perhaps in the days before the cheap high calorie modern diet we didn’t need so much room to move about. Still, a quick glance is evidence alone that the designer thought long and hard to ensure the most convenient internal arrangement.
As already said, she had been well thought out. She possessed every convenience that was required in her time.. All members of the family were sure to want to come along and join the adventure.
Look at this photograph. With a bit of imagination one can imagine the water surging asunder, and possibly feel ‘Inchree’s bow rising and falling on the passing peaks and troughs. And maybe see a young child, proud of his father at the helm, peering through the window feeling both safe and exhilarated by the sight of the foaming sea.
Her name can still be seen clearly inscribed upon her bow. A proud owner there once was!
Well, time to get back to the mother ship and set sail to the English seaside resort of Morecambe, which is the next port of call.
Five Wardley’s yachts entered ‘Bass Pool’ to drop anchor, three lay there for the whole night.
Those that felt secure enough to trust their ground tackle all had big heavy hooks with plenty of chain, or had the modern delta type anchors that cut deep and efficiently into the sand and mud.
Those who relied on their Chart-plotter for a suitable location were punished severely by an ebbing tide, and were left embarrassingly high and dry. The moral here is don’t trust the men from the ministry and their new fangled electronic charts.
Those who sailed furthest into the pool dried out briefly until the tide returned.
Those on an imaginary line between the lighthouse and the castle brief elevated a few inches and settled again once the flood tide began.
Only those gently swinging at the outer margins of Bass Pool stayed afloat throughout.
Skippers with ladies aboard opted for the perceived greater safety of the large buoys closest to the pub.
Fifteen sailors and two Wardley’s dogs joined in the club event that took place overlooking ‘Bass Pool’ behind Piel castle. Everyone had a great time and later mingled with the other party goers on the island.
The night at anchor was quiet All those involved returned home safely the following day.
By all accounts the sailing and anchoring adventure to Bass Pool by a group of Wardley’s sailors was a success. Five boats in all dropped anchor and it really was a great sight to see so many!
As the Sailing Captain, and with the powers invested in said role, I hereby announce the winner of the ‘Let’s go anchor in Bass Pool most comic sailor’s outfit‘ competition: –
Where the prize is a bottle of :-
Kindly donated by our commodore: Steve Adams
And the winner is:
Nick ‘Nimrod’ Martin
It was a close run thing, all members sported at least one item of comic value, and everyone looked great on the day!
But special recognition must go to Nick for the following reasons: –
He came with a choice of hats, a classic skipper’s and a classic pirate’s hat, and also sporting a groovy ‘Treasure Island’ style themed T-shirt.
The first boat to drop anchor in Bass Pool.
Brought along the juiciest looking beef burgers (no contest here!).
And whose anchor light shone the brightest, and later on helped a trio of Wardley’s Sailors row back to their boat in the wee hours of the morning.
Please can we all give Nick a loud round of applause.
You are invited to double click on the photograph!
HOLY MACKERAL, The season still feels like it has just started, but we’re already at the halfway mark. I know, it does not seem like last week since we were all CRANING IN, and proving emphatically to the WMYC’s HR department that we fully understand the word ‘TEAMWORK’.
Still, a sailing club would not be a sailing club without the odd SAILING EVENT, finding its way into the club lounge calendar (Linda, it’s the 3rd August).
Steve Adam’s our brilliant new Commodore decided that after my 52, often hair brained, crossings of Morecambe Bay in my Sailfish 18 in a matter of three years, I deserved bestowed upon me the title of ‘Sailing Captain’ . This honour did not come without obligation, and so here is the pay-back in the form of a PLAN for a forthcoming club event.
Great holding power the ‘Silvikrin’ anchoring location in the Furness Peninsula.
On quite a number of occasions when going to PIEL ISLAND, I and some other most excellent members of the club have eschewed the easy (Ronald McDonald’s Burger and Fries ) option of grabbing a mooring close to the jetty.
Instead we have sailed into BASS POOL and dropped anchor on the south side of the Island.
All I can say at this point is that it’s a JEWEL of a location that needs to be shared amongst us all
What I propose is to get out on our boats on the 3rd August 2019, cross the bay (it’s not that far really), and drop our anchors in the said narrow strip of water, and have a barbeque on the side of the Castle over looking our ANCHORAGE for the night.
For a bit of fun and to enter in the spirit of the occasion, we all get ourselves sailor’s hat, with an ANCHOR on the forehead band, and there shall be a PRIZE for the most authentic/comic look. See the Captain below, but it could also be the Jack Sparrow, or other. Our Commodore has offered to sponsor a prize.
For those who have not anchored for the night before, this is a great location. The bottom is good heavy sand and has a ‘Silvikrin’ max hold. Just let out enough chain and dig the anchor in with plenty of REVERSE THRUST. If your engine cannot shift your boat then the wind has no chance.
And if there is time, you can paddle to the south side (much closer to the boat). Check out the photo’s below of a walk to the lighthouse last year (the day before the 2018 CRANE OUT): –
Members are encouraged to participate if they can. Cruising in company is a great way to boost confidence, and we will aim to stay in radio contact at all times.
Skippers are often in need of crews: if you haven’t got your own boat, it’s likely that another club member would welcome you on board. Just ask around!
Note: times are GMT. Add an hour!
On the other side: –
Piel Castle in the distance looking back across Light House Bay. Jamila moored in Bass Pool at the bottom.Andy Sargent on Walney Island looking back towards the castle and the lake district hills
About five Wardley’s boat sailed over to Piel Island off Walney Island during the recent bank holiday weekend, some on differing days. Everyone reported having a great time and feeling exhilarated to be back on the open seas.
The weather was absolute great. The winds were fair and the sun was out for most of the time.
(Comments at work during the following week: ‘Now what exotic place did you fly off to during the bank holiday Simon’?).
The title photo above is a telephoto image, from the jetty, of Kyle 2 (Snapdragon 24) approaching the island. For all intents and purposes it looks like Andy Sargent is about to be gobbled-up by an angry orange monster, but rest assured, the windfarm service boat was some distance behind.
Link to PHOTOS – will open in Microsoft one drive:-
(Note: all are hi-definition photos, so feel free to double-click on any to zoom in )
RNLI rescue
Later on that evening, we witnessed a late night rescue! The first we realize something was going on was when the RNLI station suddenly lit up like Piccadilly Circus, then the big boat came splashing down the long slip like a giant Log flume ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The smaller inflatable rescue boat also was launched. Then for several hour we were treated to the spectacle of boats rushing up and down the channel with eye dazzling spotlights panning in all directions. At regular intervals, serious firework style rescue flares hissed up into the sky with a loud pop, lighting up the water below and creating a feeling excitement and trepidation. We learnt the following day that a tender had got loose from a moored yacht with no oars or outboard. The poor chap on board got whisked off into Morecambe Bay in the dead of night on a powerful tide. He/she must have been terrified.
