On the quayside in 1913

Published 11:00 on 21 Oct 2016

The first photo shows club boats rigging and probably about to take part in one of the first club races.The crane and house in the foreground were still there when I was a child; the crane was for lifting the wooden bridge out so that boats could use the slipway where the main yard now is. The corner of the stone house is still the corner in the path between the yards.The other shot is taken in the other direction, but in 1890; on the right you will see the wheelguard of a paddle steamer in HookerÄôs dock Äì notice how near the quay wall it is. I remember clambering around the two slipways, in HookerÄôs dock and the main yard Äì not very safe, but I remember a green wooden dinghy on the yard slip which just sat there without a mast or anything, and I used to dream of getting it sorted out and sailing off on my own in itĶPhotos are from the extensive Frith collection. Steve Fraser

Last updated 15:13 on 28 July 2025