THE HUMBER KEEL AND SLOOP

PRESERVATION SOCIETY

AND OTHER PROJECTS

Several groups of enthusiasts have been able to preserve or re-rig traditional Humber vessels. The first group to tackle this task attempted to save the old wooden keel MAYDAY from her berth in the Timber Pond at Goole. She had been built at Dunstons yard in Thorne in 1900.  However, they found that she had deteriorated to such a state that she could not be saved.

The Humber Keel Preservation Society was formed on the north bank of the Humber  to preserve the keel COMRADE ( built at New Holland by W.H.Warren in 1923 ) while she was still in commission running with commercial cargoes under the ownership of Fred Schofield of Beverley. She was purchased in 1974 and restoration work continued under the watchful eye of Fred, one of a long line of family keel owners.

Eventually there was so much interest in this project that some members decided that a sloop should also be preserved. After an inaugural meeting at the Angel Hotel in Brigg which was attended by many ex sloop owners, the Society was renamed the Humber Keel and Sloop Preservation Society and the ex-sloop AMY HOWSON ( built in 1914 at Beverley by Joseph Scarr )  was found in Hull, moved across to Barton for a survey in dry dock, and work started in 1976, being completed in time for the official opening of the Humber Bridge by the Queen in 1981 when AMY HOWSON was the first vessel to sail under the bridge in the Cavalcade of Sail.

Both ships are moored at South Ferriby during the summer months when regular sailing with groups of 12 passengers are organised.

For more details of membership contact them at membership@keelsandsloops.org.uk or visit their website at www.keelsandsloops.co.uk

Although not based on the Humber now, the keel DAYBREAK ( built at Thorne in 1934 by Richard Dunston )  is a very good example of restoration with modern living accomodation internally and an accurate rig above decks. She is now based on the Thames, where the square sail is the perfect rig. She has sailed up to the Humber, but most of her sailing is between Teddington and Oxford with some sails onto the tidal Thames as far as Faversham. 

A second sloop, the SPIDER T ( built at New Holland by W.H.Warren in 1926 ) has been re-rigged by Mal Nicholson, and is moored at Keadby where frequent open days are held.  Mal takes SPIDER T regularly on fund-raising trips as far afield as Arbroath in Scotland and Rotterdam in Holland. For more information, log onto www.spidert.co.uk or email m.nicholson4@sky.com

The 68ft sloop PHYLLIS ( built at New Holland by W.H.Warren in 1907 ) has been re-rigged by Kath Jones and Alan Gardiner after bringing her back from Inverness where she was abandoned after working up there. For more information visit www.phyllis.com    

The keel ONESIMUS ( built at Beverley in 1913 by Joseph Scarr ) had been converted many years ago into living accommodation on Beverley Beck but eventually became near derelict. She was rescued by Ian Murray and is now being refitted at Keadby.

The  keel SOUTHCLIFFE ( built at Thorne by Richard Dunston in 1923 ) has been re-rigged by Chris Sherburn and is moored at the Waterways Museum at Goole.

The keel EDEN, formerly HUNTS EDEN ( built at Hessle by Henry Scarr in 1924 is in the process of being restored at Goole.

A wonderful achievment, as by 1970 it seemed that all the former keels and sloops would disappear from the river completely.  The Humber now has good representation in the National Register of Historic Ships at Greenwich.

If you have any news on other restored Humber Ships  (name, location etc) please let us know