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Rodney Alcock Retires - Jottings Issue 2004/1 As we all know Rodney retired from the end of July as the Curator of Weymouth Museum but a replacement does not appear likely in the near future. Rodney indicated that in his retirement he would like to become a member of the Lunar Society and we welcome his interest and support and look forward to seeing him at some of our “get-togethers”.
The Lunar Society of Gretton - Jottings Issue 2004/2 Found on the web the Gretton Lunar Society declared themselves as “an informal group of enquiring individuals who like to discuss and scheme about things scientific and natural. This may lead to invention, experimentation or just becoming better informed about the world we live in. Today’s technology so often provides instant and easy solutions that we do not get a chance to discover for ourselves how things work and can be discouraged from trying to create our own solutions. It may seem like re-inventing the wheel but there is a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction to be gained from having a go yourself,” so we are not alone. DJC
Archaeological Days - Jottings Issue 2004/3 Survey of Winspit Stone Quay During one of Gordon LePard’s excellent Archaeological Days on 12th August “Shipwrecks and Stoneboats” we visited the ‘Halsewell’ site, the abandoned stone workings where primitive drawings of stone barges had been carved by miners and the abandoned quay at Winspit. Signs are clearly visible of post holes and cut stone both above high water and in the inter-tidal zone and it has been suggested that after the diving season is finished (although a shore dive here would also be interesting – would this count as “Extreme Archaeology”?) we might undertake, at a low water Springs, a “land” based survey of the features that remain of this historic loading facility for the barges that took stone from Dorset to London in the 18th and 19th centuries. Any one interested? Further interesting walks include ‘Shipwrecks and the US Army’ 19/9 & ‘Portland, a Medieval Manor’ 2/10. DJC
Old News Snippet - Jottings Issue 2004/3 It was reported that fishermen have been “destroying fry or of increase fish by reason that the meshes of their nets are not so wide” as the law requires. Sounds familiar? But that report was from 3rd October 1659!
Editorial Supplement. It has been such an exceptional week since the distribution of Issue 4 that it has justified the publication of this News Supplement. The last 7 days initially saw near gale force south-westerlies that enabled Crossbow’s 24 year old speed sailing record of to be beaten by a sailboard timed at 36.18kts (kiteboards were doing 33kts!) followed by 2 days of “late summer” during which Project Nor was able to make a significant advance before gale force easterly winds blew for the last few days. As most readers know Ed Cumming has been in hospital but we are pleased to report he is returning home on Tuesday 12th October, however he unfortunately missed the British Archaeological Awards in Belfast and the Dorset Archaeological Award in Dorchester both held last Friday to which he was invited, now read on:
The British Archaeological Awards 2004 These biennial awards are the most prestigious awards in British archaeology, 100s of archaeologists from all over Britain crowded into Belfast's Elmwood Hall to hear the results of the 15 coveted awards that reflect various aspects of the best of British Archaeology. The new Keith Muckelroy Memorial Award is for published work on British maritime archaeology which best reflects the pioneering ideas and scholarly aspirations of the late Keith Muckelroy and it is for this category that Ed Cumming received a “Highly Commended” certificate for the ‘Earl of Abergavenny’ CD-ROM. Dorset Archaeological Award 2004 This biennial award was established in 1988 and consists of a specially commissioned wooden bowl, made by the late Cecil Colyer, with a silver inscription to be held for two years and a Commemorative Certificate. The winner is chosen by the Dorset Archaeological Committee made up of representatives from local government, museums, archaeological societies, the National Farmers Union, the County Landowners and Business Association and other interested groups. The committee exists to promote all aspects of archaeological work in the county of Dorset and established this award to “recognise outstanding contributions to Dorset Archaeology”. This year at the Dorset County Museum after a welcome and introduction by the Committee Chairman, Laurence Keen OBE, the winner of this prestigious award was announced to a large audience to be Ed Cumming for the “Excavation of the East India Ship the Earl of Abergavenny”. The award was received on Ed’s behalf by David Carter from Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage. Mention was made of the quality of the work over a 24 year period and specifically the excellence of the website and CD-ROM. It was regretted that Ed could not be there and was wished speedy recovery. There were on sale copies of Simon Thurley’s book, “Lost Buildings of Britain” based on his Channel 4 TV programmes and he was very pleased to sign and specifically dedicate a copy to Ed. Spin-offs from the Dorset Archaeological Award. Jottings Issue 2005/4 Supplement. After the presentation David Carter was approached by Dorchester Museum’s Peter Woodward who expressed his wish to expand the maritime collection at the museum in their main hall and would be interested in having an ‘Earl of Abergavenny’ cabinet and selling the CD-ROM, a meeting is to be arranged. An opportunity also arouse at which it was possible to outline to the CEO of English Heritage some of the “Threats and Opportunities” that exist for the maritime historic environment in Weymouth and Portland and to outline the objectives of the Lunar Society, he expressed interest and suggested that Ian Oxley, Head of Maritime Archaeology at English Heritage, came down to talk to us, watch this space! Also present was Sue Davies, Chief Executive of Wessex Archaeology who took over from St Andrew University’s Archaeological Diving Unit as English Heritage’s diving contractor, one of the largest and most experienced archaeological practices in the UK, offering a complete range (including maritime) of commercial services and a registered charity with educational objectives. She showed much interest in our activities and has invited Ed and David to meet her in Salisbury in the near future and even suggested that they might be able to help with the printing costs of Lunar Jottings! And finally an approach was received from BBC Southern TV for an interview, still to be confirmed. DJC
Power of Nature - Jottings Issue 2004/5 Our overseas correspondent in Jamaica reporting on the effects of Hurricane Ivan on one of the best complete wrecks in the Caribbean, the ‘Edina’ which lies 7 miles offshore and in 26 metres of water says “it looks like there has been an explosion, the wreck is now scattered over a large area, we can no longer swim through it but just drift over the wreckage”.
All that Glitters is not Brass - Jottings Issue 2005/2 After the ‘Abbey’ plaque unveiling while walking back to the Lifeboat Station and ‘Snapper for the Commemorative Service, Ron Howse’s eagle eye noticed a shiny bronze coloured nameplate in the bank. With a genie-raising rub the inscription “Kestrel built by J L Gmach & Co. Ltd, Fordingbridge, Hants, Phone 2422” appeared. A little research found that the Kestrel has the distinction of being the first sailing boat to be built in this country entirely of glass reinforced plastics, 4.77m. long, designed by Ian Proctor in 1956 it did not prosper in its plastic form and was virtually shelved until in 1963 John Gmach's firm at Fordingbridge took over and then continued to make ‘Kestrels’ for the next 25 years. We can therefore date this rare nautical artefact to 1963-1988. The plaque from this grp boat was of course ……..shiny bronze coloured grp!
The Wordsworth Trust Plaque - Jottings Issue 2005/2 On 13th April 2005 there will be a service conducted by the Bishop of Salisbury the Rt. Rev. David Stancliffe to mark the placing by the Wordsworth Trust of a third memorial plaque inside All Saint’s Church, Wyke Regis where it is thought at least 80 victims of the ‘Earl of Abergavenny’ are buried in unmarked graves including Commander John Wordsworth. DJC
John Wordsworth plaque at All Saints, Wyke. Jottings Issue 2005/3
On the 13th April the Bishop of Salisbury unveiled a plaque to John Wordsworth, the Captain of the ‘Earl of Abergavenny’, in the presence of some 150 of his families descendants including a boy who was the 9th generation of the poet, the Chairman of the Wordsworth Trust, former Cabinet Minister Chris Smith, authoress of the book “The Wreck of the Abergavenny”, Alethea Hayter and members of the LUNAR Society. The plaque of Cumbria green slate is located adjacent to the North entrance.
WeyChieftain III - Jottings Issue 2005/3
Weymouth LUNAR Society member Grahame Knott’s very impressive new dive charter boat ’Wey Chieftain III’ is now operational. It takes 12 divers at 20+ knots, is partially covered to allow divers to kit up in the dry and is being fitted with state-of-the-art wreck detection equipment. See www.weymouthdiving.com
HMS Victory on the River Wey. Jottings Issue 2005/3
2nd May 2005 saw the opening of the annual Well Dressing at the Upwey Well, Nr Weymouth, the principal source of the Wey. This year to celebrate the bicentenary of Trafalgar the floral display has HMS Victory, Nelson and his “England expects every man to do his duty” message in naval flags. Well dressing dates back to 1349 & the importance of a pure water supply after the Black Death which is said to have been introduced into Britain via Weymouth.
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