The Kent History Forum

Maritime History => Rivers, Canals and other Inland Waterways => Topic started by: MartinR on January 08, 2023, 10:54:35 PM

Title: Watery Trail
Post by: MartinR on January 08, 2023, 10:54:35 PM

Here's a link to an 1938 film (B&W, silent) which traces the River Medway from its source to Sheerness.  It was posted on an announcement notice by the MSBA.  It's fascinating, particularly Maidstone and below.  The amount of industry using the river is staggering when you compare it to today.  There's even tall ships and flying boats.
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-watery-trail-river-medway-1938-online (https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-watery-trail-river-medway-1938-online)

Title: Re: Watery Trail
Post by: stuartwaters on January 09, 2023, 08:09:54 AM

Thank you for posting that MartinR, I'll have a look at it when I'm in an area with better reception.

Title: Re: Watery Trail
Post by: castle261 on January 09, 2023, 01:25:46 PM

Very, very, interesting - I spy with my little eye - THE Mercury flying boat - also a Floating Dock - outside the Yard. The  No 6 Floating Sheerleg Crane,
Brought over from Germany - after 1918 - (in 1922 I believe) - The Paddle Boats - bring back happy memories - Strood, then Southend, then Margate,
then to Clacton. You had a half an hour ashore - then it came back - We only did it once.

Title: Re: Watery Trail
Post by: johnfilmer on January 09, 2023, 05:50:43 PM

Many thanks MartinR. Although I will avoid boats at every opportunity, the difference between then and now is superbly highlighted by the activity on the river.
I think that the crane loading sequence looks like dried woodpulp bales for paper making. They are heavy (voice of experience heaving them around on a summer job in Lloyds Mill Sittingbourne) and the complete lack of Heath and Safety is astounding to modern eyes, as with most of the industrial scenes. Emission controls? Snodland under its white cement dust blanket...
Thanks again.

Title: Re: Watery Trail
Post by: stuartwaters on January 10, 2023, 11:17:04 AM

Absolutely fascinating, thank you so much for sharing it. Sailing Barges, once the lifeblood of trade on the Medway, carrying all manner of cargoes. Flying Boats at Rochester, what looks like an early Short Sunderland, destroyers moored in the river. There were a couple of Monitors in what looked like the No1 Basin at Chatham Dockyard and a Revenge Class Battleship off Sheerness. Plus footage of the Medway Queen in action. Brilliant stuff!

Title: Re: Watery Trail
Post by: stuartwaters on January 10, 2023, 11:26:32 AM

A little further research has revealed the destroyer with her pennant number shown as HMS Bodicea.

Title: Re: Watery Trail
Post by: MartinR on January 10, 2023, 02:49:56 PM

Link to Wikipage for HMS Boadicea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Boadicea_(H65) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Boadicea_(H65))