Mystery ship

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Bangor North Wales

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Found a few nice pictures of a paddle steamer…..La Marguerite (1894) taken at Bangor Pier… North Wales in 1906

What a nice clear photograph?

But can anyone identify the old ship of the line?

It`s not HMS Conway

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

This is HMS Conway (1839)……Ran aground on the Swellies……..Dangerous hidden rocks in the Menai Straits, Anglesey in 1953 and broke her back

I went to see it with my pal, on his Norton ES2, the same year

In the background is the famous original Menai Bridge (A5)……Built by Thomas Telford in 1826

The same Tangye hydraulic jacks, used to raise the structure, were also used to free the Great Eastern in 1839

Can you imagine, transporting all that equipment down to London, in those far off days?

They must have used traction engines?…….Truly awesome!

(I may have slipped up here, the jacks may have been used on Stephenson`s box bridge)

This is a fascinating historic area

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Mystery ship identified……..HMS Clio

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Interesting old photograph…..Three ships of the line, moored in the Mersey

Photo probably taken by Dave Wooley on one of his walk abouts, some time ago?

The ships are …………….HMS Conway…..HMS Akbar…..HMS Indefigable

Nice….eh?

Bob

PS…..On the previous picture of the Clio…….Notice how the spars are set……

Does this have some nautical meaning?

I`m sure it does

Edited By Bob Abell on 15/05/2015 09:04:06

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Bob

Sorry to rain on your parade but you have slipped up

Menai bridge is a suspension type so the structure was built from the supporting cables, the jacks were used to raise the box girder rail bridge in 1850

The jacks would have been transported by rail or horse as traction engines didn't arrive until 1859 and the Great Eastern was launched in 1858 not 1839

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul

Read my post again….I've already mentioned that!

Sorry about the typo……..Didn't think anybody would notice!

It was my deliberate mistake to boost the view rating

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Bob. Great and very evocative photos.

its a wonder those massive wooden ships stayed in one piece after a grounding.

Next time, include the magic words "steam" or "lifeboat" in the thread title to boost views.

It doesnt work for me as the hardcore lurkers see my name and dont bother to read the post.

Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Ashley Who?

[mike farrellParticipant @mikefarrell21522]

That's the guy from south of Watford Gap who has Royal connections ,well he runs his ships on royal Parks .

Us poor folks north of the Gap haven,t even got a Royal Park to play in.

Still a nice person ?Michael

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Us poor folks north of the Gap haven,t even got a Royal Park to play in.

Nor a Royal Pot to p… in

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

HMS Conway on the fateful tow in 1953

The tugs couldn't handle the strong winds combined with the tidal currents…..Even though they must have selected slack water?

This would make a very interesting towing event……Towing a heavy hulk, instead of the usual oil tanker?

Bob

Edited By Bob Abell on 16/05/2015 07:38:20

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Dramatic picture of HMS Conway passing under the Menai Bridge

Showing the reason why the bridge was built so high……..For contemporary ships like the Conway

The ship was blown ashore just after this point

Bob

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