A Christmas Story I think about at this time of the year and so happy to have been a part of and would like to share.. The Shambles lightship was withdrawn in 1976 and replaced by two high-tech buoys. The eerie sound heard in fog did indeed came from the ship moored on a sliding anchor chain over the sandbar east of Portland on the edge of the race. The Shambles lightship was moored permanently over the bar with a distinctive light and horn that warned sailors and mariners of the danger. Maintained by Trinity House and crewed by seven men. The Mayor of Weymouth, assisted by the lifeboat and Father Christmas, dignitaries and press would make an annual Christmas trip to take festive parcels and a Christmas tree to the crew. I was fortunate to go on the Christmas trips from 1970 to 1976, we would leave Weymouth on the Frank Spiller Locke lifeboat sail to the Shambles where we would board for a tour some cheer and a small church service on deck before heading back to Weymouth. The only year I recall we were unable to board the Shambles Lightship due to bad weather and high waves was the last year of her service 1976. Parcels and goodies from loved ones were transferred by breaches bouy and a short service held as the Lifeboat and Shambles bobbed up and down on the waves about 50 feet apart. Soon it was time to leave the seven men and return to port the finally was the lifeboat sounding it horn and the Shambles blasting out their fog horn amid cheers and waves from each vessel. I had and have every admiration for the Weymouth Lifeboat crew past and present and all who are willing to put their own lives at risk often sailing in horrendous weather at all hours to assist distressed mariners. The skipper at the time or I should call him the Coxswain was Bob Pavey, I was also privy to being on the quayside when Eamon Andrews produced his red book and said in a double twisted scenario. Alf Pavey This is Your Life then whisked away to Southampton television studios to record the programme the link is here. https://youtube/watch?v=bSci_K3LnCY
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 00:26:17 +0000
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