Lovely Old Ships

The Margaret Anne 5 and the Thornycroft Boat Yard pictured on 23rd October 2012

'Margaret Anne 5'

23rd October 2012 - Unfortunately I think my boat is probably one of the hulks you are thinking of. I bought her a few months ago for £4,000 and I'm afraid the previous owner had done too much of the wrong kind of DiY so she's not the prettiest of boats, However, inside she retains many of her original lovely features. I believe only a handful of the first fiberglass hulls by J.I.Thornycroft were ever made

They were built on Platts Eyot island where I work in Hampton, Middlesex. There's some information available on the Thornycroft boatyard but nothing at all on their cruisers. I bought my boat to restore back to original, but finding it financially impossible so I'm sadly parting with her, I hope to find her a good home so she hopefully will be restored to her former glory - Mandy Faulkner

The island was purchased in 1960 with plans to build an industial estate but has since been declared a region of special natural scientific interest

The vessel build plate

Front of the J.I Thornycroft Hampton Launch Works on Platts Eyot

Side of building

Dating from 1908 the doors closed in 1966

John Issac Thornycroft (1843 - 1928)

Run by his son John Edward Thornycroft from 1908 the Company J.I Thornycroft built a good number of notable ships listed on the National Historic Ships Register

Built to serve the Scilly Isles the TSVM Scillonian was built by the yard in 1955 and ran until 1977

J.I Thornycroft merged with Vosper & Co in 1966 both high quality and respected ship builders see their history at Vosper Thornycroft

Grateful thanks to Geralds son Andrew & his daughter Suzzane for providing the archive & giving permission to publish these amazing photograhs

28/10/08 - My grandfather was Captain of the fine St Briac for several years just prior to the date that Mr Clarke's photograph was taken he retired on May 1st 1936 - William Tracy

3/08/08 - Truely excellent photographs, thanks for sharing them - Martin, Faversham

4/08/08 - Just a note to say how much we enjoyed the feature on the old ships. Fascinating. Peter remembers the Daffodil operating from Southend Pier. He also went on a ferry between Southend Pier & Sheerness a couple of times in the early 1960's but cannot remember its name.

Last year we went up to Clacton for a day by train, there were line problems & it took hours to get there but wen we arrived there was a steamer tied up at the end of Clacton pier & we considered going back to Southend by Pier it would probably have been quicker that day; certainly would have been very pleasant

Nice to see you featuring some pictures from this side of the estuary for a change. I know Tilbury isn't the most handsome place in the county but ... Paul Bailey

19/7/23 - I am trying to find a man called Dick Morris. He posted on this site regarding the Alacrity. I'm trying to find out what happened to this boat after 1931. I am a writer and genealogist currently researching Kate Evelyn Meyrick. I believe there may be a connection with the boat. It would be wonderful if anyone was able to help. Fingers crossed! Please mail me The London Genealogist
thelondongenealogist@gmail.com

For more history on Passanger & Car Ferries