Capt Jonathan Mills, Deputy Harbourmaster has informed us that the next meeting of the Leisure Users Forum will now be on the 26 March at Kent Boat & Ski Club starting at approx 1900. Agenda to be decided.
Deadman’s Island: The River Medway Estuary as London’s Quarantine area
After an outbreak of epidemic plague in the Baltic Sea ports, the Stangate Creek area in the Medway Estuary in North Kent was designated a quarantine site for cargo ships destined for London in 1712. The quarantine of ships ended in 1896 but today evidence of the impact on the landscape can still be found. As far as we know, the area has never been documented despite its significant role in our maritime heritage.
Much of Deadman’s Island is covered by the highest tides. Access is difficult and years of coastal erosion have washed away much of what remains of the area’s past. The area has also been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England and the RSPB have identified it as an important bird breeding and nesting site.
A level of interpretation by a small team of professional creative artists collaborating with heritage workers is required to investigate and document the significance of the area. Since it unlikely the public will have any physical access at all to the island areas, now or in the future, we propose to employ a team of artists and heritage workers to produce a booklet, website, exhibition, school workshop programme, teaching resources and guided walks helping people to appreciate the area’s significance.
Archivist and local history writer, Nicola Waddington will lead on the research and identify the cultural significance of the quarantine area. The information gathered will inform the significance of the cultural and physical aspects of the area’s heritage. The archival and interpretive materials will form the items for a temporary public exhibition on quarantine. We will organize boat tours sailing to the site to appreciate the heritage and celebrate the volunteers involvement in the project. We are therefore recruiting project volunteers to work and train with our archivist.
For those interested in getting involved or finding out more about this project please email Trevor Mason at Dilute to Taste at: kentband@blueyonder.co.uk. We have also set up a Facebook page.
Meet James Wharram at Queenborough on 19 April 2013
Queenborough Harbour Trust is proud to say James Wharram will be coming to Queenborough on Friday 19/04/13 and will be giving a talk about the Lapita Voyage. This voyage demonstrates that the Polynesians were capable of ocean travel using traditional designs.
For a little information regarding James Wharram and the voyage please visit the web addresses below.
http://www.lapita-voyage.org/en/lapita_voyage.html
http://wharram.com/site/
Steer the Medway Queen down the river
Visit the MQPS website for a surprisingly realistic simulation of steering the famous paddle steamer from Rochester to Sheerness: http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/index.php/medway-queen-paddle-power-game
February Crime Update
Theft of fuel has been an issue of late around the county. Please make sure that tanks and portable cans are secure.
Three boats at Bow Bridge Marina were subject to criminal damage, windows were broken on the side adjacent to tow path.
The one theft of note is the theft of a speed boat from a pontoon at Port Medway Marina Cuxton. It is a limited addition Cloud 9, four seater, described as white with blue side panels. It has recently been restored. We have requested a photograph.
PC David Lavender
Kent Police Marine Unit
Queenborough Harbour: The Movie
New promotional video
http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y1vB6lRwj60
Non-native Plant & Marine Species Workshop, 8 March
The Medway Swale Estuary Partnership, together with the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership, will be holding a FREE non-native plant & marine species workshop on Friday 8th March, 9.30am – 12pm, at the Innovation Centre.
To book a space, please e-mail: andrea.griffiths@kent.gov.uk
January Crime Update
Happy New Year and I hope while the snow is on the ground that everyone has their charts and pilot books out, planning and scheming for the summer. Here is the latest crime update from the beginning of 2013:
- 1-5 Jan Three thefts of fuel in containers from Swale Marina total cost about £400
- 7-8 Jan Theft of 250 litres of diesel from a boat on a mooring in Faversham Creek. No details of method transport, i.e. boat.
- 9-10 Jan Theft of an 8′ GRP Dinghy from Strood Pier area.
- 11-12 Jan Theft of Zodiac inflatable, Honda 15hp and Johnson 3.3hp outboards
PC David Lavender
Kent Police Marine Unit
Lookout Queenborough!
Queenborough Harbour Trust has installed a portacabin on top of a container at Crundells Wharf to give a better view of their moorings than the old harbourmaster’s office in the creek. What next, will they be getting a ladder?
Visit QHT on stand E142 at the London Boat Show
Extraordinary boats wanted
A request from friends in France: “We are organizing a boating event in Deauville in July 2013 focusing on innovation and ecology. The aim is to bring together solar boats, hydrogen motors, kite boats etc and present to a large audience the vessels of the future.”
If you are interested in this event, please contact me and I will pass on your details.
Tony Lavelle, MSBA Secretary