April 2025
Branch Secretary Tim Webb gave his presentation Dock Visits 1981 on visits he made to south coast ports in early part of 1981.The ports visited were in the London area, Felixstowe/Harwich area and Southampton. Visits to the River Thames included the sorely missed WSS Dock Visits organised by Ian Wells. The presentation was based on merchant vessels except for a view of HMS Nottingham and HMS Southampton moored alongside each other being fitted out at the builder on the River Itchen . Both suffered accidents in their service requiring them to be returned to UK on a semi-submersible vessel. On trips to Mistley the coaster RIVER TAMAR was seen well be launching and later a few days before completion.