Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships


Ship:      WINSTON CHURCHILL
Arrived:30 July 1988
Departed:After 30 July 1988
Arrived 2:30 Nov 1989
Departed 2:1 Jan 1992
Career:Tony Wilding has supplied a lot of information about the WINSTON CHURCHILL - he served on her for some time with Trinity House and then for over two years after they had sold her.
She was refitted at Sadd's Wharf, Maldon, chipping the complete hull fron gunwhale to water line, and also the main deck. It was not popular with the locals. In August 1988 she sailed to Mahon, Menorca.
November 1989 the vessel returned to the River Blackwater from Mahon. She was anchored in the river off West Mersea.
1992 Thieves caried out a daring raid on a ship anchored in the River Blackwater. They managed to get aboard the WINSTON CHURCHILL and stole equipment worth £7,000
1996 converted to a yacht.

Mid Essex WSS - Lloyds List: arrived 30 July 1988, no departure date, arrived 30 Nov 1989 departed 1 Jan 1992

Tonnage:1,451 gross
Built:1963
Type:Lighthouse vessel
Owner:Trinity House
LR/IMO Number:5425865
Official No:304534
ID5425865

Former Trinity House boat WINSTON CHURCHILL laid up in River Blackwater. Photograph by Tim Green from Tollesbury.

Above:  Former Trinity House boat WINSTON CHURCHILL laid up in River Blackwater. Photograph by Tim Green from Tollesbury.
Source: Mersea Museum / Peter Bibby Collection

Former Trinity House boat WINSTON CHURCHILL laid up in River Blackwater. Photograph by Tim Green from Tollesbury.

Above:  Former Trinity House boat WINSTON CHURCHILL laid up in River Blackwater. Photograph by Tim Green from Tollesbury.
Source: Mersea Museum / Peter Bibby Collection

Geoff Pearce supervising Wessex Helicopter Winchman practising

Above:  Geoff Pearce supervising Wessex Helicopter Winchman practising "sitting on the other side of the fence" at the helm of the lifeboat. West Mersea Lifeboat HIMLEY HALL. Former Trinity House Vessel WINSTON CHURCHILL in the background. Date: After June 1991.
Source: Mersea Museum / Terence Smith


Copyright Mersea Island Museum Trust 2024
Hosted by Krystal.io

";