ID: DW18 / Douglas Went

TitleRiver Colne on its way to the Sea by Douglas Went
AbstractA collection of photographs by Douglas Went or the River Colne making its way down to the sea. The location of the first photograph is not yet known but an early photograph is at Great Maplestead. The collection ends at Brightlingsea, having had a brief a foray into the Blackwater.

None of the photographs are dated but they are numbered, with some gaps. They are mostly thought to be around 1948, but some are certainly earlier than this.
The prints are all about 8 inches by 10 inches and in good condition for their age. Several have appeared elsewhere, but many have not been seen before. The collection was given to Paul Gallifant sometime ago by Gordon Clarke, his technician at Manningtree School, and Paul has donated it to Mersea Museum archives. Gordon was from South Wales, an ex miner and PTI. All prints are available online.

AuthorDouglas Went
SourceMersea Museum / Merriel Gallifant
IDDW18
Related Images:
River Colne down to the Sea. Photograph 3. There are no photographs marked 1 or 2. DW18_001
ImageID:   DW18_001
Title: River Colne down to the Sea. Photograph 3.
There are no photographs marked 1 or 2.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Ford on upper reaches. Photograph 4. DW18_003
ImageID:   DW18_003
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Ford on upper reaches. Photograph 4.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 5. DW18_005
ImageID:   DW18_005
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 5.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 6. Hull's Mill, Great Maplestead (Hedingham), also known as 'Hovis' Mill. DW18_007
ImageID:   DW18_007
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 6.
Hull's Mill, Great Maplestead (Hedingham), also known as 'Hovis' Mill.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 7 Townsford Mill, Halstead DW18_009
ImageID:   DW18_009
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 7
Townsford Mill, Halstead
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 8. Chappel Viaduct DW18_011
ImageID:   DW18_011
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 8.
Chappel Viaduct
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 9. Pulford's Mill, Chitts Hill. DW18_013
ImageID:   DW18_013
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 9.
Pulford's Mill, Chitts Hill.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 10. Chitts Hill / Newbridge, West Bergholt. Beyond the bridge, a pillbox and Douglas Went's car. DW18_015
ImageID:   DW18_015
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 10.
Chitts Hill / Newbridge, West Bergholt. Beyond the bridge, a pillbox and Douglas Went's car.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 12. Beneath Seven Arches viaduct, Lexden. DW18_017
ImageID:   DW18_017
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 12.
Beneath Seven Arches viaduct, Lexden.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 13. Seven Arches viaduct, Lexden. DW18_019
ImageID:   DW18_019
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 13.
Seven Arches viaduct, Lexden.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 14. Red Bridge, Spring Lane, Lexden. DW18_021
ImageID:   DW18_021
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 14.
Red Bridge, Spring Lane, Lexden.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 15. Public Swimming Pool by the old bypass, Colchester. DW18_023
ImageID:   DW18_023
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 15.
Public Swimming Pool by the old bypass, Colchester.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 16. Looking north towards North Station. DW18_025
ImageID:   DW18_025
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 16.
Looking north towards North Station.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 17. South side of bypass bridge, looking through to Swimming Pool. DW18_027
ImageID:   DW18_027
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 17.
South side of bypass bridge, looking through to Swimming Pool.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 18. Approaching North Bridge, Colchester. DW18_029
ImageID:   DW18_029
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 18.
Approaching North Bridge, Colchester.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 19. North Bridge - Castle Park, Colchester. DW18_031
ImageID:   DW18_031
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 19.
North Bridge - Castle Park, Colchester.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 20. Weir at Middle Mill, Colchester. DW18_033
ImageID:   DW18_033
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 20.
Weir at Middle Mill, Colchester.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 21. Middle Mill, Colchester DW18_035
ImageID:   DW18_035
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 21.
Middle Mill, Colchester
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 22. Between Middle Mill and East Mills. DW18_037
ImageID:   DW18_037
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 22.
Between Middle Mill and East Mills.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 23. Footbridge between Middle Mill and East Mills. DW18_039
ImageID:   DW18_039
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 23.
Footbridge between Middle Mill and East Mills.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 24. East Mills (Marriage's Mill), Colchester. DW18_041
ImageID:   DW18_041
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 24.
East Mills (Marriage's Mill), Colchester.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 25. East Mills (Marriage's Mill) and East Bridge, Colchester. DW18_043
ImageID:   DW18_043
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 25.
East Mills (Marriage's Mill) and East Bridge, Colchester.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 26. East Bridge south side, Marriage's Mill and Siege House, Colchester. DW18_045
ImageID:   DW18_045
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 26.
East Bridge south side, Marriage's Mill and Siege House, Colchester.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 27. Hythe Bridge and barge at R. & W. Paul's mill. DW18_047
ImageID:   DW18_047
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 27.
Hythe Bridge and barge at R. & W. Paul's mill.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 28. COLNE DREDGER at the Hythe with barge CROCUS alongside. Sailing barge loading straw. Colchester Gas Works in background. COLNE DREDGER was built at Rowhedge Ironworks, completed July 1950. She was withdrawn 1993 and scrapped 1995 [River Colne Shipbuilders, John Collins and James Dodds]. DW18_049
ImageID:   DW18_049
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 28.
COLNE DREDGER at the Hythe with barge CROCUS alongside. Sailing barge loading straw. Colchester Gas Works in background.
COLNE DREDGER was built at Rowhedge Ironworks, completed July 1950. She was withdrawn 1993 and scrapped 1995 [River Colne Shipbuilders, John Collins and James Dodds].
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 29. COLNE DREDGER. Barges BRITISH EMPIRE and ALARIC. DW18_051
ImageID:   DW18_051
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 29.
COLNE DREDGER. Barges BRITISH EMPIRE and ALARIC.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 30. Barges ALARIC left, and BRITISH EMPIRE loading straw. DW18_053
ImageID:   DW18_053
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 30.
Barges ALARIC left, and BRITISH EMPIRE loading straw.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 31. Rowhedge looking upstream from Lower Yard. RNLI Lifeboat, Motor Gun Boat, and beyond the motor coaster TRAPP registered Oslo. </p><p> TRAPP was built by Rowhedge Ironworks 1946 No. 640 TRAPP 358grt motor tanker for Anglo Saxon Petroleum Co. Ltd. 152'oa, 147'x24'x9.6'. British Polar Ltd, Glasgow 2sc sa 4cyl 395bhp. L.1/6/1946. C.8/1946 for Oslo owners. (ON 180969). 1947 To Cia Shell, Portugal as SHELL ONZE. 1958 New engine. 1968 Sold to Sonap Maritima Ltda, Lorenço Marques as SONAPTANQUE. 366grt (160net, 412dwt). 1983 Sold to Navique Empressa Moçambicana de Nav. Mozambique as MACUSE. John Collins - Nottage] Anchored 25.58S 32.28E September 1997 & foundered there. [Miramar] </p> DW18_055
ImageID:   DW18_055
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 31.
Rowhedge looking upstream from Lower Yard. RNLI Lifeboat, Motor Gun Boat, and beyond the motor coaster TRAPP registered Oslo.

TRAPP was built by Rowhedge Ironworks 1946
No. 640 TRAPP 358grt motor tanker for Anglo Saxon Petroleum Co. Ltd. 152'oa, 147'x24'x9.6'. British Polar Ltd, Glasgow 2sc sa 4cyl 395bhp. L.1/6/1946. C.8/1946 for Oslo owners. (ON 180969). 1947 To Cia Shell, Portugal as SHELL ONZE. 1958 New engine. 1968 Sold to Sonap Maritima Ltda, Lorenço Marques as SONAPTANQUE. 366grt (160net, 412dwt). 1983 Sold to Navique Empressa Moçambicana de Nav. Mozambique as MACUSE. John Collins - Nottage]
Anchored 25.58S 32.28E September 1997 & foundered there. [Miramar]

Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 32. Rowhedge to Wivenhoe Ferry DW18_057
ImageID:   DW18_057
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 32.
Rowhedge to Wivenhoe Ferry
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 33. Wivenhoe looking downstream. Vessel in centre looks like an ex RN requisitioned trawler being reconditioned before being returned to the owners. [John Collins - Nottage] DW18_059
ImageID:   DW18_059
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 33.
Wivenhoe looking downstream.
Vessel in centre looks like an ex RN requisitioned trawler being reconditioned before being returned to the owners. [John Collins - Nottage]
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 34. Wivenhoe - sheerleg crane above Upper Yard. From Rowhedge. DW18_061
ImageID:   DW18_061
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 34.
Wivenhoe - sheerleg crane above Upper Yard. From Rowhedge.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 35. James and Stone shipyard Brightlingsea, 1942 - 1944. Landing craft under repair - LCA148, LCA580 - Landing Craft Assault. The LCA Training Base Helder on the Stone opposite kept the yard busy with repairs and maintenance. </p><p> The 52½ foot harbour launch tied up on the jetty is almost certainly one of the eight steamers built by J&S during WW2. </p><p>[John Collins and Derak Smith]</p> <p> MTB 353 is up on the slip on the right. She'd been built by Vospers Wivenhoe over a year earlier, but this is late June or early July 1944, when she was based at Felixstowe, but came to Brightlingsea for refitting. The Helder LCAs were there at the same time. MTB 353 left B'sea on 7 July 1944 (Admiralty Red Lists & Dockyard Lists). [Julian Foynes] DW18_063
ImageID:   DW18_063
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 35.
James and Stone shipyard Brightlingsea, 1942 - 1944. Landing craft under repair - LCA148, LCA580 - Landing Craft Assault. The LCA Training Base Helder on the Stone opposite kept the yard busy with repairs and maintenance.

The 52½ foot harbour launch tied up on the jetty is almost certainly one of the eight steamers built by J&S during WW2.

[John Collins and Derak Smith]

MTB 353 is up on the slip on the right. She'd been built by Vospers Wivenhoe over a year earlier, but this is late June or early July 1944, when she was based at Felixstowe, but came to Brightlingsea for refitting. The Helder LCAs were there at the same time. MTB 353 left B'sea on 7 July 1944 (Admiralty Red Lists & Dockyard Lists). [Julian Foynes]

Date:cJuly 1944
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 36. Untitled but confirmed as the James & Stone yard in Brightlingsea by Bill Scales who was working for them in 1948. He recognised the untidiness of the boatshop and the quality of the craft being built. DW18_065
ImageID:   DW18_065
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 36.
Untitled but confirmed as the James & Stone yard in Brightlingsea by Bill Scales who was working for them in 1948. He recognised the untidiness of the boatshop and the quality of the craft being built.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 37. Untitled but confirmed as the James & Stone yard in Brightlingsea by Bill Scales who was working for them in 1948. He recognised the untidiness of the boatshop and the quality of the craft being built. DW18_067
ImageID:   DW18_067
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 37.
Untitled but confirmed as the James & Stone yard in Brightlingsea by Bill Scales who was working for them in 1948. He recognised the untidiness of the boatshop and the quality of the craft being built.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 39. Brightlingsea One Design dinghies. No. 9. BIDI, No. 4. CORMORANT sailed by Ralph Sutton. Dutch motor coaster JANTINA finding her way through the fleet. Built 1926 Noord Nederlandse Groningen 121 tons [Miramar] DW18_069
ImageID:   DW18_069
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 39.
Brightlingsea One Design dinghies. No. 9. BIDI, No. 4. CORMORANT sailed by Ralph Sutton.
Dutch motor coaster JANTINA finding her way through the fleet. Built 1926 Noord Nederlandse Groningen 121 tons [Miramar]
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 40. Dutch yachts on the Hard at Brightlingsea. DW18_071
ImageID:   DW18_071
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 40.
Dutch yachts on the Hard at Brightlingsea.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 42. A scene in the River Blackwater. Yachts NOMAD .. and SYLVIA WMYC on the left. Smacks returningN - 349CK second from right. The laid up vessel in the background is the SILVERPINE which was in the River July 1932 to August 1934 DW18_073
ImageID:   DW18_073
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 42.
A scene in the River Blackwater. Yachts NOMAD .. and SYLVIA WMYC on the left. Smacks returningN - 349CK second from right. The laid up vessel in the background is the SILVERPINE which was in the River July 1932 to August 1934
Date:c1933
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 44. Dredging oysters in the Colne. Smack NATIVE. See <a href=mmphoto.php?typ=ID&hit=1&tot=1&ba=cke&rhit=1&bid=BOXB5_017_029 ID=1>BOXB5_017_029 </a> which puts date at 1936 and gives much more information. DW18_075
ImageID:   DW18_075
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 44.
Dredging oysters in the Colne. Smack NATIVE. See BOXB5_017_029 which puts date at 1936 and gives much more information.
Date:1937
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 45. Gathering oysters in a large basket. DW18_077
ImageID:   DW18_077
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 45.
Gathering oysters in a large basket.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 46. Skiffs loaded with oysters. DW18_079
ImageID:   DW18_079
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 46.
Skiffs loaded with oysters.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 47. Laying oysters from skiff. DW18_081
ImageID:   DW18_081
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 47.
Laying oysters from skiff.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 48. Brightlingsea One Designs at Brightlingsea. No. 6 JUMBO TOO, now owned by Tom Sargent, sailed then by Jack Maltby. (Undated caption on back of photograph) DW18_083
ImageID:   DW18_083
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 48.
Brightlingsea One Designs at Brightlingsea.
No. 6 JUMBO TOO, now owned by Tom Sargent, sailed then by Jack Maltby. (Undated caption on back of photograph)
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 49. Sailing barge underway. DW18_085
ImageID:   DW18_085
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 49.
Sailing barge underway.
Date:c1948
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant
River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 50. Unloading sprats for manure. A 1926 picture - see <a href=mmphoto.php?typ=ID&hit=1&tot=1&ba=cke&rhit=1&bid=EC63_12_084_001 ID=1>EC63_12_084_001 </a> for a newspaper cutting with more information. DW18_087
ImageID:   DW18_087
Title: River Colne down to the Sea by Douglas Went. Photograph 50.
Unloading sprats for manure. A 1926 picture - see EC63_12_084_001 for a newspaper cutting with more information.
Date:1926
Source:Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant