ID: WW01_531 / Winifred Hone

TitleClifford Brand - Winifred Hone memoirs
AbstractCliff Brand, a member of a well known Island family, was skipper of THOMA II, a beautiful white barge yacht. He looked stunning in his uniform of navy blue with gold buttons, he was very nice looking with red hair and had a personality to match. His owner thought the world of him and I think his salary must have been higher than the rest as he was so generous to those less paid. I think his brain gave birth to the legendary Mrs Hart, the lady who was so good to the poor, as he always did the ordering and always paid the bill, some of which were quite considerable, as on one occasion I had to go to Colchester to buy presents for a school treat on the beach. This illusive lady Mrs Hart never arrived, there was alway some excuse for her absense, but on this occasion we really thought she was going to present the prizes, but as usual at the last minute she was prevented from doing so.

This leg pull fooled everybody for several years, but this time Cliff was no longer skipper of THOMA II as Lloyds would no longer insure the yacht owing to an accident to the yacht, which as skipper who had no ticket he had to take the blame for. He loved the sea and could positively smell the thoughts of sea wind and clouds, and any boat was safe if he was at the helm. Without the possession of a ticket, by this time Cliff's generosity was on the wane and so was the generosity of Mrs Hart and I think by 1924 she became only a memory out of nowhere into nowhere. Cliff's wit never left him, he told you things which you took with a grain of salt which was exactly the way he wanted it in spite of changed circumstances.

AuthorWinifred Hone
Publishedc1969
SourceMersea Museum / Wendy Brady
IDWW01_531
Related Images:
 John Howard built several barge yachts, the largest being the THOMA II launched in 1909. This 100ft clipper bowed and counter sterned craft drew only 4ft 6in. Eventually she had both a 'mule' rig with sprit mainsale and large gaff mizzen, also a gaff ketch rig with a boomed mainsail. She cruised in home and Mediteranean waters.  BOXV_012_003_007
ImageID:   BOXV_012_003_007
Title: John Howard built several barge yachts, the largest being the THOMA II launched in 1909. This 100ft clipper bowed and counter sterned craft drew only 4ft 6in. Eventually she had both a 'mule' rig with sprit mainsale and large gaff mizzen, also a gaff ketch rig with a boomed mainsail. She cruised in home and Mediteranean waters.
Abstract:From: John Howard --- Maldon
Source:John Leather Collection
 Sailing Barge Yacht THOMA II.  JK010021
ImageID:   JK010021
Title: Sailing Barge Yacht THOMA II.
Date:c1950
Source:Mersea Museum / Keenlyside Family