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Thursday 30 October 2008 - The Rebuilding Of The Sailing barge Dawn

Neil Holdsworth - summarised by Chris Hurricks

This was our maritime meeting of the season and well known local author Robert Simper had originally agreed to talk to us, but unfortunately he had to withdraw because of other commitments. Having seen the Dawn being rebuilt at Heybridge and knowing that she was now sailing I thought that this might be an interesting story. Fortunately Neil Holdsworth, who is Chairman of the Dawn Sailing Barge Trust, was able to come and give us all the details. A gratifying 35 members and visitors were present, local newspaper publicity having attracted several with an interest in these iconic East Coast vessels. Indeed one such was a gentleman who had been mate on the Ipswich based ' Marjorie'.

Neil's digital presentation started with a history of the wooden hulled Dawn, which was built by Walter Cook at Maldon in 1897 and had a claim to fame in being the last merchant ship built with tiller steering. Walter Cook had worked for the well known barge builder, John Howard, but in 1894 he took over Finch's yard and set up on his own. Having been fitted with a 44hp engine later in her career Dawn continued trading until 1965, utilised latterly for Brown's timber traffic. She had never had to handle the dirty, rough cargoes which were the lot of several barges and when the end of her commercial life came she was bought by Captain Gordon Swift who had been attracted by her name! He used her as a charter barge and she sailed in many of the sailing barge matches up to 1992, Neil showing us some super shots of her under full sail with her broad stem taking some punishment. Captain Swift had been the driving force but eventually he had to give up and in 1992 she was taken to Hoo for rebuilding. This was abandoned because of cost, but in 1996 the Dawn Sailing Barge Trust was formed.

Neil had become involved at this point because of his commercial interests and had offered to bring the barge to Maldon, it not being possible to sail her. This was easier said than done but eventually a very run down motor ship, the Johno, which was slowly rusting away at Colchester, was selected as a suitable carrier. The Johno of 240 gross tons had been built in 1961 and had had a very jinxed career, sinking on more than one occasion and was now in a very poor state with many leaks but it was big enough to float the Dawn into. The Johno story was a saga in its own right but eventually it was repaired and arrived at Hoo where, after much discussion with the local Harbour Master, she was sunk at high water in the main shipping channel and the temporarily watertight Dawn was floated in. Then with much pumping and sealing the Johno was refloated and the lengthy tow to Maldon followed.

Fund raising proved to be hard and for 4 years only limited work could be done during which her condition detriorated. In 2001 a Lottery application for funds was made, half a million pounds being asked for, a detailed and lengthy process. In 2003 this funding was approved in principle and in the following year a shipwright, Tim Goldsack, was appointed to do the work. During this period the Dawn (and the Johno!) had become an eyesore and the Maldon Harbour Commissioners served a 60 day removal notice on her, definitely a low point in the whole story. In November 2002 she was moved to a dry dock behind the Lock Cafe at Heybridge where rebuilding took place when funds became available. Tim Goldsack has estimated the work would take two years but like many a project this time was doubled and the main hull work was completed in 2007 with a launch in June. Very little of the origial construction was useable and Neil showed many shots of the heavy and painstaking work required. She has been reconstructed almost as originally built, complete with large hold, but the mate's cabin has been moved to the foc'sle. She has also been fitted with a powerful 75hp engine rendering her capable of 8 knots when not under sail. The fitting out was done mainly by volunteers and she had a first sail on 25th July this year. This proving successful the very next day she took part in the Blackwater Barge Match, being awarded 3rd in class and 3rd overall, very gratifying for all concerned. The work throughout has been of a very high standard and she is now better than the original Dawn, a 'new Dawn' indeed!

A MCA licence for 12 passengers has just been granted and charters from Maldon, Ipswich and on the Thames are planned. More surprisingly cargo is planned to be carried with rape seed from Ipswich to Erith being offered. As Steve Worsley said in his vote of thanks this was an epic project and given the difficulties along the way none of the participants would have got involved had they known. The sight of her under full sail at Maldon must have been very emotional for many. More information about the Dawn and the Trust at Dawn-trust.org.uk