Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships

Ship:	BERWINDLEA
Arrived:	19 February 1932
Departed:	2 July 1935
Career:	BERWINDLEA was a large collier which pioneered the use of pulverised coal in her boilers. She was wrecked Deadman Is, Magdalen Islands 23 October 1935 Oyster Company ledger first date 23 February 1932 - it lists agent as Furness Withy & Co. Dundee Evening Telegraph 18 Feb 1932 reported BERWINDLEA has sailed (from Dundee) for Tollesbury to be laid-up. She had been in port almost a month to discharge sugar and for repairs. Voyage Record Cards give 19 February 1932 River Blackwater. 3 July 1935 London. It is not clear how this entry relates to another BERWINDLEA reported in the River c1928. Voyage Record Card first entry for BERWINDLEA is 31 July 1929 Glasgow. Arrived 19 Feb 1932 dep 2 Jauly 1935 [George Swieszkowski]
Tonnage:	5.276 gross
Built:	1929
Type:	Collier
Owner:	Berwindmoor SS Co
Official No:	161108
ID	1161108

Tollesbury mud - ships laid up in River Blackwater. The engines-aft ship left of centre is thought to be BERWINDLEA which was in the river February 1932 to July 1935. 5,276 tons gross, built 1929. Date: August 1932.

Above: Tollesbury mud - ships laid up in River Blackwater. The engines-aft ship left of centre is thought to be BERWINDLEA which was in the river February 1932 to July 1935. 5,276 tons gross, built 1929. Date: August 1932.
Source: Mersea Museum / Peter Bibby Collection

Railway Track, Tollesbury, Essex.

Used in

Above: Railway Track, Tollesbury, Essex. Used in "More from Tollesbury Past" by Keith Lovell, which says: "The obsolete track to Tollesbury Pier Station is overgrown. Ships are anchored in the Blackwater during the depression. Stretching back towards the river, Tollesbury Oyster Company men return home from work. In these hard times they received one pound a week with which they were able to buy their winter coal. The second ship from the left is probably the HIGHLAND ROVER which was ... Date: c1933.
Source: Mersea Museum / Cedric Gurton Tollesbury

Oyster dredgers and laid up ships in the River Blackwater off Tollesbury. The vessel on the right with engines aft is thought to be the BERWINDLEA which was laid up in the River Blackwater 19 February 1932 to July 1935. Date: c1933.

Above: Oyster dredgers and laid up ships in the River Blackwater off Tollesbury. The vessel on the right with engines aft is thought to be the BERWINDLEA which was laid up in the River Blackwater 19 February 1932 to July 1935. Date: c1933.
Source: Mersea Museum / Kevin Bruce