Chatham Dockyard and The Military Canal
This collection is from when we had our holiday in Kent and we visited Chatham dockyard which was great, lots to see and you can even go on a few of the ships they have there. A good family day out. Also we visited the Chatham Naval Memorial which is at the town.
Lifeboat "Lizzie Porter"
This is the "Lizzie Porter" lifeboat from 1909, she served the Northumbrian coast and was launched 56 times and saved 77 lives. She is being displayed here on an early launching carriage
Fowler crawler tractor
This is all the information I have on this. If you know more then please contact me.
Donkey engine
This is what is known as a donkey steam engine I think, it would be used for hot water when the ships were in port and they had no means of heating water. It would have been towed around the docks to where it was needed I believe.
Aveling and Porter
This is no 3567 of 1895 Sydenham which is on loan to Chatham from Bucks Railway Centre.
What a roof!
This is No3 slip building, the roof is just lovely. When this building was built in 1838 it was one of the largest wide span structures. In 1904 the slipway was filled in and the mezzanine floor you can see was erected and used to store boats.
It was a real wow factor!
HMS Gannet and Slip No 3 building
This gives you some idea of the size of this building with HMS Gannet from 1878 along side which you can venture on to and have a good look around.
Jack navigating the ship
This is my son Jack at the wheel on HMS Cavalier from 1944, sadly she is in drydock...
They also have a submarine, HMS Ocelot, from 1962 on display which you can have a look around, we had a great time onboard and learnt lots from the great tour guide, Bob. Lights out, bums on!!!
Chatham War Memorial
This is the Naval memorial which sits on top of the hill over looking the town of Chatham. This is for the naval men from WW1 and WW2 which have no known grave. There are 8,515 names from WW1 and 10,098 from WW2.
For me it was a special moment as my Grandad's name is one of those listed. He lost his life at sea on HMS Forfar in 1940. My Mum was only 18 mouths old when he died so she never really knew him and for me I just wanted to say hi and touch his name.
The Royal Military Canal
This is the Royal Military Canal which runs between Seabrook near Folkestone and Cliffend near Hastings and is 28 miles long. It was started at Seabrook on 30th October 1804 and was said to have had gun positions every 500 yard. Today it acts as a sink for the network of ditches that criss cross the marsh, in the summer they can pump water from the canal back into the ditches and winter time take water out of the ditches.
There are some lovely walks along it but sadly time and weather weren't on our side.
