My Time Working On Gravesend Ferries
A Memory of Gravesend.
The Photo of the LMS Gravesend to Tilbury Ferries brought back memories of my time working on them as Deckhand and Fireman in the 1950s.
Those who crossed on the Ferries did not realise the work involved in getting them safely to the other side with the Captain and the Mate on the Bridge and the Deck hands keeping lookout
more so when the weather was bad or Foggy I remember a good few near misses in Fog when shipping couldn't be seen or heard .
When I was fireman down below we often got full speed astern to get us out of trouble.
I could write a book of my time on the Gravesend /Tilbury Ferries in the 50s
Perhaps one day I will.
Vic Lowe
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Do you have any memories of the three pilot cutter called Pilot, Thames Pilot and the River Thames. All three built at James W Cook & sons, Wivenhoe in the mid 60s . I am now the owner of the Pilot - though its name was changed to "River Thames"
Gustav
In answer to your query regarding the Pilot Boat yes I remember them very well and often watch them going alongside the Ships coming up River sometimes in a very bad swell when an Ebb Tide and Eastly wind I have seen the Pilot swinging on the steep ladder to the Deck
I had a friend who was a deck hand on one of the Pilot Boats
he later transferred to the "Havengoer" (ithink that's how it's spelt) He was on board when this vessel took Winston Churchhills body up the Thames I am pleased to know that one of the Piolt Boats have been saved my best regards to you and your Family Verdun (Vic) lowe