NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 124
Fowey Harbour 1937, 2013 and 2026
Michael L. Roach
In the first part of this article I show scans of an article which appeared in the Great Western Railway Magazine for 1937. Over the more than 40 years of magazines in my possession the magazine returned to Fowey regularly to report the latest improvements and sometimes record shipments of china clay, because most of the time this is a one product export harbour to this day. After the Grouping of Railways in 1922-23 the GWR became the largest port owner in the world with docks and harbours at Aberdovey, Barry, Brentford, Bridgwater, Briton Ferry, Burry Port, Cardiff, Chelsea*, Fishguard, Fowey, Llanelly, Lydney*, Newport, Penarth, Plymouth, Port Talbot, Newport, Newquay, Neyland*, Rosslare*, Saltney and Swansea. (* these docks were jointly owned) That is a formidable list of docks and harbours owned by the GWR, but there were another 40 which were served by the Company – a dozen of those in Devon and Cornwall.
Saturday 22 August 2026 was the last day of the Fowey Regatta week which climaxed with a spectacular firework display. The Red Arrows have been regular visitors to the Regatta in the past but not this year as they were away in the USA for most of the summer. The last time I saw the Red Arrows at Fowey was in 2013 when we were high up in the town on Hanson Drive. It was an ideal place to see the display as we were level with the higher parts of Polruan on the opposite side of the harbour and had uninterrupted views out to see sea, and were level with the planes on some passes. Most of the flight paths took place east – west and north – south above the harbour. Having seen the Red Arrows in a number of places, including air displays and other towns, this was quite the best location anywhere to watch the display. Three of my photos from 2013 are at the end. On a personal note one of my 4 times great grandfathers, Philip Salt was born at Polruan on 25 June 1749. He was a Master Mariner, a Fowey Harbour Pilot and is buried in Polruan's Parish Church at Lanteglos-by-Fowey inside the church, beneath the north aisle.
On the Saturday evening Jon Hird travelled down the river in a small boat and was kind enough to send me some of the photos he took which are used here to enhance this article about Fowey and lead on to more about the export of china clay in 2026. The picture of the fireworks has been shown here before, but it is repeated because it is just such a fabulous photo. There was one ship at No. 8 jetty that evening, 22 August and we will follow it's progress after leaving Fowey.
The Karla C is a 106 by 15.5 metre general cargo ship sailing under the flag of Portugal. It continued loading china clay at Fowey on Monday and left the wharf before sunrise at Fowey on Tuesday 25 August. After a couple of hours it arrived off Rame Head and moored up in Cawsand Bay to wait for a berth. It was heading for Victoria Wharves, Cattedown, Plymouth. However the Wharves were occupied by Baltic Sail loading china clay. Baltic Sail departed about 17.30 on Tuesday 25 for Antwerp. While Karla C was waiting in Cawsand Bay, outside The Breakwater, another ship was waiting south of Drake's Island – it was the Elisa (90 by 13.6 metres) which had arrived from Casablanca, a general cargo ship under the flag of Barbados which entered Victoria Wharves soon after Baltic Sail had departed on 25 August. It loaded on 26 August and sailed about 16.45 on 26th leaving Karla C finally free to moor up in Victoria Wharves.
The voyage of the Elisa is interesting because it will take the ship to the far end of the Mediterranean where it is due to dock at Abu Qir, Egypt on 10 September 2026. Some 20 miles away in Alexandria are various paper mills with a large paper mill belonging to a firm called the El-Salam Paper. This is no surprise really as Egypt was the source of papyrus, the first paper-like writing sheet, some 5000 years ago, and in 2026 there are an amazing 382 paper mills in Egypt. Abu Qir receives regular shipments of Dartmoor china clay from Plymouth. As I watched ship movements in Plymouth Sound on the afternoon of Tuesday 25th there were six merchant navy deep sea ships there at one stage. The Karla C and the Elisa waiting to enter while Baltic Sail was actually in Victoria Wharves. At the northern end of Cattewater Wharves was Cemgulf unloading cement brought from Santander – it departed next day for Vigo, also Spain. Meanwhile the Brittanny Ferries Pont Aven arrived from Santander and departed back to Santander a few hours later; and Thun London arrived from Milford Haven with petroleum products to unload at Cattewater Wharves where arrival was at 15.45, departing back to Milford Haven just 24 hours later.
Karla C had arrived at the Jetty at Fowey about 16.00 on Friday 21 August from Le Treport in Northern France and finally left Victoria Wharves and Britain at about 16.00 hours on 27 August for Valetta, Malta where it is due to arrive on 6 September 2026. Victoria Wharves was not empty for long as the next ship arrived within minutes. It was the Celtic Navigator – a 90 by 15 metre general cargo ship which had travelled from Shoreham, and which sailed the following evening for Tangier. The Karla C duly arrived off Malta at 18.30 local time on 5 September as planned, but Malta does not appear to have any paper mills, so does not need china clay. After a couple of hours the ship set off again heading south east at 10.4 knots (12 mph). At breakfast time on 6 September it was more than 130 miles from Malta heading south east and still without a destination port. It was then about three days sailing from Abu Qir where Elisa C is heading. At the time of submission to the Editor (22.00 hours on 6 September 2026) the Karla C is heading east in the Med about 250 miles from Malta, and still no destination.
You can follow the journeys of these ships on marinetraffic.com but note that the times quoted there are earlier and later than I have quoted because I believe they are the times it drops anchor in The Sound or when the harbour pilot goes aboard. It can take the pilot of a large oil ship 45 minutes or more to safely navigate the ship from The Sound to actually mooring up alongside Cattewater Wharf.
RECOMMENDED READING: Coasters of Cornwall – see below. Also Coasters of South Devon which has a large section devoted to the quays and wharves of Plymouth, many of which no longer receive coasters.
Saturday 22 August 2026 was the last day of the Fowey Regatta week which climaxed with a spectacular firework display. The Red Arrows have been regular visitors to the Regatta in the past but not this year as they were away in the USA for most of the summer. The last time I saw the Red Arrows at Fowey was in 2013 when we were high up in the town on Hanson Drive. It was an ideal place to see the display as we were level with the higher parts of Polruan on the opposite side of the harbour and had uninterrupted views out to see sea, and were level with the planes on some passes. Most of the flight paths took place east – west and north – south above the harbour. Having seen the Red Arrows in a number of places, including air displays and other towns, this was quite the best location anywhere to watch the display. Three of my photos from 2013 are at the end. On a personal note one of my 4 times great grandfathers, Philip Salt was born at Polruan on 25 June 1749. He was a Master Mariner, a Fowey Harbour Pilot and is buried in Polruan's Parish Church at Lanteglos-by-Fowey inside the church, beneath the north aisle.
On the Saturday evening Jon Hird travelled down the river in a small boat and was kind enough to send me some of the photos he took which are used here to enhance this article about Fowey and lead on to more about the export of china clay in 2026. The picture of the fireworks has been shown here before, but it is repeated because it is just such a fabulous photo. There was one ship at No. 8 jetty that evening, 22 August and we will follow it's progress after leaving Fowey.
The Karla C is a 106 by 15.5 metre general cargo ship sailing under the flag of Portugal. It continued loading china clay at Fowey on Monday and left the wharf before sunrise at Fowey on Tuesday 25 August. After a couple of hours it arrived off Rame Head and moored up in Cawsand Bay to wait for a berth. It was heading for Victoria Wharves, Cattedown, Plymouth. However the Wharves were occupied by Baltic Sail loading china clay. Baltic Sail departed about 17.30 on Tuesday 25 for Antwerp. While Karla C was waiting in Cawsand Bay, outside The Breakwater, another ship was waiting south of Drake's Island – it was the Elisa (90 by 13.6 metres) which had arrived from Casablanca, a general cargo ship under the flag of Barbados which entered Victoria Wharves soon after Baltic Sail had departed on 25 August. It loaded on 26 August and sailed about 16.45 on 26th leaving Karla C finally free to moor up in Victoria Wharves.
The voyage of the Elisa is interesting because it will take the ship to the far end of the Mediterranean where it is due to dock at Abu Qir, Egypt on 10 September 2026. Some 20 miles away in Alexandria are various paper mills with a large paper mill belonging to a firm called the El-Salam Paper. This is no surprise really as Egypt was the source of papyrus, the first paper-like writing sheet, some 5000 years ago, and in 2026 there are an amazing 382 paper mills in Egypt. Abu Qir receives regular shipments of Dartmoor china clay from Plymouth. As I watched ship movements in Plymouth Sound on the afternoon of Tuesday 25th there were six merchant navy deep sea ships there at one stage. The Karla C and the Elisa waiting to enter while Baltic Sail was actually in Victoria Wharves. At the northern end of Cattewater Wharves was Cemgulf unloading cement brought from Santander – it departed next day for Vigo, also Spain. Meanwhile the Brittanny Ferries Pont Aven arrived from Santander and departed back to Santander a few hours later; and Thun London arrived from Milford Haven with petroleum products to unload at Cattewater Wharves where arrival was at 15.45, departing back to Milford Haven just 24 hours later.
Karla C had arrived at the Jetty at Fowey about 16.00 on Friday 21 August from Le Treport in Northern France and finally left Victoria Wharves and Britain at about 16.00 hours on 27 August for Valetta, Malta where it is due to arrive on 6 September 2026. Victoria Wharves was not empty for long as the next ship arrived within minutes. It was the Celtic Navigator – a 90 by 15 metre general cargo ship which had travelled from Shoreham, and which sailed the following evening for Tangier. The Karla C duly arrived off Malta at 18.30 local time on 5 September as planned, but Malta does not appear to have any paper mills, so does not need china clay. After a couple of hours the ship set off again heading south east at 10.4 knots (12 mph). At breakfast time on 6 September it was more than 130 miles from Malta heading south east and still without a destination port. It was then about three days sailing from Abu Qir where Elisa C is heading. At the time of submission to the Editor (22.00 hours on 6 September 2026) the Karla C is heading east in the Med about 250 miles from Malta, and still no destination.
You can follow the journeys of these ships on marinetraffic.com but note that the times quoted there are earlier and later than I have quoted because I believe they are the times it drops anchor in The Sound or when the harbour pilot goes aboard. It can take the pilot of a large oil ship 45 minutes or more to safely navigate the ship from The Sound to actually mooring up alongside Cattewater Wharf.
RECOMMENDED READING: Coasters of Cornwall – see below. Also Coasters of South Devon which has a large section devoted to the quays and wharves of Plymouth, many of which no longer receive coasters.
The article about the Great Western port of Fowey taken from the GWR Magazine for July 1937. No copyright.
The article about the Great Western port of Fowey taken from the GWR Magazine for July 1937. No copyright.
The stern of Karla C with the Britannic Explorer train alongside, Copyright Jon Hird.
The 106-metre Karla C alongside no. 8 jetty on the evening of 22 August 2026. Copyright Jon Hird.
The spectacular firework display that brought Fowey Regatta Week to a close. Copyright Jon Hird.
The flyer for the book “Coasters of Cornwall” which is available on Ebay and Amazon. The book will be of interest to anyone interested in ships and Cornish harbours, most of which are no longer used by coastal shipping.
Hanson Drive, Fowey was a great place to watch the Red Arrows give their display. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The planes pass almost directly overhead. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
This manoeuvre took place over the village of Polruan (bottom). Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Sir. Nigel heads home
Steve Widdowson
37667 leads LNER A4 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' through Worcester yard, running as 5Z07 - 1200 Bishops Lydeard - Crewe Holding Sdg. 06.09.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Many thanks Steve - it's been a quiet season for 60007 and most mainline steam locos.
47's and 73's
Michael Forward
More class 47s in their various liveries, starting at Southampton on 26th May 1988. Firstly 47100 in its drab BR blue with empty tankers for Fawley refinery. Copyright Michael Forward.
Now a more colourful 47381 in it's freshly-applied Railfreight petroleum sector livery. Copyright Michael Forward.
For a change we now see 73103/73132 waiting to leave Southampton with a non-stop 14.18 service to Waterloo, ex Weymouth. Neither loco is still with us today. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks Michael, a great trip down memory lane.
More from 1982
Paul Barlow
46018 at Bristol with the 1150 Penzance to Cardiff. 04.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
45057 arrives at Paignton with the 0653 from Oxford. 11.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
33013 at Cardiff on a mail train. 03.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
46026 at Aller Junction on the 1040 Bradford to Paignton 1V85. The signalman is discusssing some issues ahead. September 1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul, another fine selection.
September 1976
Part 8
Roger Winnen
Mortonhampstead Station. 04.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Mortonhampstead Station. 04.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Bovey Tracey Station. 04.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.