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Kj was driven into a pier at Purfleet Spring 2007
MSTS was disbanded in the Summer of 2007.
Kenya Jacaranda is currently (Aug.'08) in Tilbury.
She is somewhat unsafe for sea.
see: www.freewebs.com/kjhistory/
83 years in three small paragraphs
From 1923 to 1937 KJ was a Brixham trawler, "Torbay Lass". In 1937 she was 'retired' from fishing , bought by an Essex builder named Bradshaw who had her converted at Rainham pleasure yachting and took her on her maiden voyage in 1938 just before Hitler invaded Poland. She was ordered off the water along the East coast and wound up in inland waters behind Lowestoft as did many tall masted boats to act as a deterrent to the Huns landing gliders there. Her war years are lost to us, but because she was well-fettled and fitted she may have been used by officers-on-leave for R+R.
She is mentioned in [Lady Claude Hamilton's] memoirs "A Stone's Throw" and was purchased by said lady in 1945 at the end of hostilities and was further worked by, among other things, copper cladding to the waterline and other changes (including being renamed "Kenya Jacaranda") appropriate for activity in the warm waters off Kenya. The memoirs do not mention her subsequent fate, but her owner inherited her mother's substantial estate in Surrey and the boat is never again mentioned.
What we know for certain is that in 1949 still copper clad and still owned by Lady Hamilton she was wallowing in mud in a creek near Southampton. She was rescued from the Hamble and went into service; training Sea Cadets out of The Lower Pool in 1951. She had taken some 4000 young people to sea between 1951 and 1979 when she was squeezed out of her London berths by Docklands developments. At the same time the Bermondsey Sea Cadets were finding it almost impossible to maintain her.
The ship was moved 'temporarily' to Tilbury in 1980 retaining mostly the original people, who re-grouped as the "Mayflower Sail Training Society" and carried on more or less as before, enabling youngsters from deprived area of Greater London to sail a traditional sailing vessel at an affordable price. She was still berthed in Tilbury some 28 years later, although she had been seen now and then in her old haunts up-river.
Between 1980 and 2006, Kenya Jacaranda 'enabled' some 3000 young people (and an unknown number of adults). She competed in the Brixham Trawler Race at least twice, with MSTS crew. The Mayflower sail training society was disbanded in 2007, allegedly for reasons stated on the official website www.msts.uk.net and the boat is still in Tilbury in August 2008 as various interests haggle over what best to do with her.
(MGLH) 12th March 2006.
Sailing across the mighty Thames from Tilbury to Gravesend. KJ visited Embankment Marina Gravesend for an open Weekend 17th - 19th March 2006 Non-sailors joined the ship Friday at Embankment Marina, DA12 2RN 9 (look up streetmap or GPS it). For future or present reference if taking a taxi ask for "The Canal Basin" or "The Sailing Club" as the cabbies do not understand "Embankment Marina"
| Lat (WGS84) | N51:26:35 ( 51.443156 ) |
| Long (WGS84) | E0:23:02 ( 0.383860 ) |
We needed all available MSTS members all weekend to give information and collect urgently-needed funds for the refit. Not everyone stayed on board! Only those who are at home with the distinctive odour!
The visit was to show the commitment of MSTS membership to keeping the Society and the Ship afloat and to demonstrate commitment ...........................
Tacks&Gybes!
Check www.freewebs.com/kjhistory
KJChainGang has its own website.
Kenya Jacaranda Brixham
"Kenya Jacaranda" sailed the waters of the Thames Gateway, between Tower Bridge and Canvey, down-river to Southend and Whitstable. She navigated the Medway from Sheerness to Rochester on weekend cruises with longer voyages down the Channel to Brixham and up the East Coast to Lowestoft.
Her CENTRAL role was to carry 'disadvantaged' young people, primarily but not exclusively from the area known as the Thames Gateway, as supplementary crew; learning seamanship and team-work under the guidance of the CoreCrew of "Kenya Jacaranda" who 'advantaged' them as they sailed.
An AUXILIARY role was to provide a platform for hardier sailors (or those who would be) to log hours sailing a real sailing ship the real way. Training on a Brixham Trawler makes REAL sailors. out of plastic-tub-skiffers.
Candidates came on board to learn a centuries-old tradition that was rapidly vanishing midst today's plastic and metal. "Kenya Jacaranda' did not carry passengers. It took eighteen hardy annuals to move this floating Porsche Carrera at its optimum. North Sea in Force 8 is no place for the faint-hearted. At one time, KJ could handle Force 10! What Force can you handle?
KJ had a GENTLER role of sail-training for the less hardy on 'overnight' trips between Tilbury and Tower Bridge. Trainees learned about wind and tide, lights and marks and the ways of the river. All this is for the moment at least gone.
Nice little earner?
Practice (safe) voyages for 'rookies'
KJ can do 'overnight' trips up-river for training. Learn to sleep on board. Learn to cook on board. Learn to keep watch by night. Learn to read the lights and buoys on the river! Learn about tides! Learn about PLA and Radio Telephony! £60 per person for a supplementary crew of 12 (£600 for the boat for a 24hr detail if you want to 'charter' it ) sounds about right. Join at either end. Familiarise with the boat, MOB exercises, safety stuff, how to cast off, make to etc. Use C2C to close the loop with Travelcard provided. Safe all the year round, subject to occasional tide glitches. Nice little earner as every £50 profit made on these 'commercial' runs permitted another young and disadvantaged London youngster to get a day's sail training.
"Torbay Lass" at Work in 1935
Sponsors
Haulin' the nets with a Brixham Trawler
" When the net was ready for hauling, the ship was set with the wind slightly abaft the beam. The towing wires were released from the securing block. The weight of the trawl brought the ship broadside to wind and blew her away from the gear. All hands arrived at their posts while the steam-winch wound in the warps. The doors were brought up to the head of the gallows and secured with a massive chain. This allowed the net to be released to pull it on board by hand. "
" All hands lined the rail and pulled in unison with the down-roll of the ship. On the up-roll, everyone laid-on the net, over the bulwark rail. Eventually the cod-end would come into view, depending upon the size of catch. The sooner they saw the cod-end the more fish they had. With all the air inside each fish it, acted like a huge balloon. This is watched for with expectation and delight. With an average size bag the cod -end was brought alongside. "
"A stout rope becket was passed round the outside of the net. The becket was hooked onto a thick wire leading up to the fore-mast head, the wire wrapped round the winch barrel and lifted clear of the water. For a very large catch, the process of lifting might happen a number of times. "
"As each full cod end was swung on board, over the fish-ponds, the Mate reached under the bag of fish, cascading with cold salt-water, to release the special knot securing the net. The fish poured out, and if another lot had to be picked up the same routine was gone through again, til all the fish were on board. Then the cod-end was re-tied to start the whole fishing cycle again. "
7th to 9th October
AHOY's inaugeral sail with KJ Mike Cloy John Young, Malcolm Mac Saddington, Nick Carter Dan and Marion McGarrigle. Supplementary crew: AnneMarie Whelan, George Butler, (Sammy) Jusu, Samina Jusu, Richard Sheridan, Josh Hulks, Rachel Bermingham, Jack O'Neill, Rubin Woodin, Joslyn Brightwell, Billy Waterworth.
The following report was submitted from AHOY
Dear All, The Youth Team were away for the weekend on the Brixham sailing trawler “Kenya Jacaranda”. What an amazing and fabulous experience this was for all. We arrived at Tilbury Docks on the Friday with nine very excited children and were soon acquainted with the Skipper and crew. The children were then given the guided tour of the ship and were told stories about the rats, spiders and “FISH GHOSTS”!
Everyone got busy organising their luggage, bedding and bunks without looking behind them for fear of finding something untoward. Once this was completed we headed to the Mission club where all the children were able to use the pool and snooker tables, play table tennis, watch TV and also use the internet. This was all free of charge and the children loved it. The evening here showed early signs of a group coming together and bonding.
6o/c start on Saturday to catch tides and get through the lock gates. Later the wind started to build an we got ready to SAIL. George and Ann-Marie watched as the team were put to the test of getting the huge sails up : a task that took almost an hour and a half. Everyone had loads of fun rigging this giant vessel. The wind died on Sunday, but didn’t dampen spirits in any way
leaving the ship on Sunday, some were less disappointed than others to have not witnessed any creepy crawlies, vermin or ghouls throughout the whole trip. Some suspect they may not exist. The team spirit that came out during this event has created lasting friendships and relationships. The behaviour was impeccable. It was wonderful to have the Core Crew of Kenya Jacaranda to look after us. Below are some statements from the gang.
This was a good experience for it being the first time I’ve ever spent the night on a boat. I enjoyed myself and learnt more about sailing.
Samina Jusu
I thought this was trip was really good, being here meeting new people was great. I really did have a laugh and enjoyed learning how a ship works.
Thank you! I had a jolly good time Rachel Bermingham
Ruben: This was the first time I had been on a ship this size. It was a great experience. But a bit cold. Thanks Jacaranda people and AHOY.
Rich Sheridan: I enjoyed this trip because it is a different type of sailing, I enjoyed going into the estuary when we were using radar.
Jocylin:I had a great time on the trip and we had some good laughs. A fantastic trip!!
Jack ONeill: The trip was very good, a fabulous experience. a lot of teamwork. I made lots of friends
Sammy Jusu: good experience. They were all nice. Watch out for the man with the weird teeth.
Will: It was fun with lots to learn and I made new friends
Billy Waterworth: a great experience; enjoyed sleeping on the boat. lots of new friends. learned how to read charts and helm the ship.
21st Aug - 2ndSep 2005
Kj on vacation at Sovereign Marina! Spectacular life-saving display with RNLI! Editor visited top of top mast. Gareth James descended into the ward-room in his wheelchair via fishing takel and told us how to fit the boat for him to sail. An 87year-old lady told our Chairman that we could make a fortune hauling adrenalin-seekers to the top of the top mast at " £30 to £50 a go ". Everyone else wanted to know why we were not doing sea trips with KJ at " £20 a head ". Marina staff told us they will arrange to have punters ferried out to transfer to KJ at sea. There's a fortune waiting for MSTS at Eastbourne 2006. Every £20 made means another dis-advantaged kid gets a day's sailing on the good ship "Kenya Jacaranda" This year we took £800. next year it may be £4000.
20th Aug 21st
Kj to Eastbourne slipped away on the midnight tide, Friday, having had to wait for Shaun and Ásgeir. Core-Crew: Paul Ladyman, Gerry Goldner, John Young, Mac Saddington, Ásgeir Faben, Shaun Wall. with the Crofton Crusaders, led by Andy Lake and Amy Liddl, joining ship 2100 at the Flying Angel. Victoria Barrington, Katie Dennis, Ruth Gayton, Joy Barron, Sophie White, Lucy Whittaker, Catherine Haslett, Lauren Gilbert, Joe Simpson, Jonathon Styff, supplementary crewmen. Brilliant 19 hour voyage down, snuck into Sovereign Harbour on the last foot of water Sat 1750, boom down into lock, with 200 spectators, moored up at the waterfront 1800. The Crofton crusarders left for further adventues on the IOW. The boat was left in beautiful condition, but we suspect MUCH of the work was actually done by the two leaders Andy and Amy.