Branch Calendar - 2018

The branch programme for 2018 is now online - twelve interesting nights, including the 40th anniversary of the branch in October. Details are available here.

Branch Notes - December 2017

Our December meeting began with our branch AGM, in which the committee were re-elected en bloc. Once the formalities were concluded, we enjoyed a Christmas buffet and two talks. David Fletcher began by presenting some of his recent views, showing ships at Teignmouth and elsewhere in the UK, as well as further afield on the Elbe, Kiel Canal and Rhodes. David Eeles followed, showing photographs and videos taken on the Scheldt during a recent trip. Both talks were highly entertaining, and we thank both Davids for their efforts, as well as all our 2017 speakers for an excellent series of meetings.

"A Maritime Review of 2016"

New WSS book by Krispen Atkinson, David Walker and Andrew McAlpine - A4 softback, 76 pages, 144 colour and 2 B&W photos

This book provides a snapshot of the events that occurred in the shipping industry during 2016 including ownership collapses, notable deliveries, demolitions and losses. One of the biggest stories of that year was the collapse of the South Korean shipping giant Hanjin, which led to hundreds of ships lying idle whilst finance was sorted to allow the ships to dock and discharge their cargoes. In Europe a number of short-sea operators disappeared. With the slump in the oil industry, offshore exploration was at a low while the fleet was larger than ever. Hundreds of offshore support vessels were placed in lay-up and others were scrapped. A number of rigs also made their way to the demolition yards, while those under construction have been delayed deliberately. The year saw the oldest active aircraft carrier retired by the Indian navy, while the USN inducted a new class of destroyer and expended some retired frigates as targets. The story of this turbulent year is told by a selection of high quality photographs supported by informative deep captions.

Available now from booksales@worldshipsociety.org or WSS, 274 Seven Sisters Road, Willingdom, Eastbourne, BN22 0QW, United Kingdom, price £10 to members (quoting membership number) or £15 to non-members plus P&P £1.50 (UK) £5.00 (Europe) & £5.50 (RoW). Payment may be made by GBP cheque or credit card. For the latter please state whether Visa or Mastercard and quote card number, exact name on card, card expiry date, card validation number and address of cardholder.

December 2017 Meeting

Our December meeting is a members evening - contributions of 20-30 minutes on a maritime subject are invited. Please let David Walker know in advance if you would like to present something. 19:30, 14th December, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

Branch Notes - November 2017

Our November meeting was well attended by some regular and new faces for Rodge Musselwhite’s traditional presentation of ships in the area and elsewhere on the South Coast. Rodge’s travels had taken him to Southampton, Jersey and the WSS AGM Plymouth boat trip. The majority of the 210 ships shown were either dropping or picking up pilots from Brixham. Access to a waterborne vantage point afforded some excellent bow on full frontal shots of large tankers, bulkers and vehicle carriers. Thanks to Rodge for some shots taken immediately in front of oncoming ships up to 300,000 dwt!

November 2017 Meeting

For our November meeting Rodge Musselwhite will present "Update 2017", his annual roundup of the local shipping scene. 19:30, 9th November, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

October 2017 Meeting

For our October meeting Ken Cload will present more of his photographs taken at the Hook of Holland. 19:30, 12th October, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

September 2017 Branch Notes

At our September meeting we held the first of two members' evenings this year, with three members presenting short talks. David Potter went first, showing some wonderful slides from his travels around the world from the 1950s to the 1990s, showcasing some of the ships he travelled while working in locations such as Africa and interleaving them with some very amusing anecdotes. He was followed by Colin Baigent who showed some video from recent trips to Switzerland and Hong Kong, the common link being persistently terrible weather. Finally, David Fletcher showed us his summer photography at Teignmouth, Milford Haven, and on the rivers Thames, Humber and Trent. Many thanks to all three of you for a most entertaining evening.

September 2017 Meeting

Our September meeting is a members evening - contributions of 20-30 minutes on a maritime subject are invited. Please let David Walker know in advance if you would like to present something. 19:30, 14th September, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

August 2017 Meeting

For our August meeting David Walker will present "Metropolitan Cruise on AIDAprima". 19:30, 10th August, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

July 2017 Meeting

For our July meeting Tom Walker will present "North Holland Road Trip, Summer 2016". 19:30, 13th July, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

June 2017 Meeting

For our June meeting David Eeles will present "Ships with Stories to Tell". 19:30, 8th June, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

WSS 2017 AGM - Day 2

Here is a description of day two of the 2017 WSS AGM.

WSS 2017 AGM - Day 1

The first day of the 2017 AGM weekend has successfully finished - a description of the weekend so far is available here.

Branch Notes - May 2017

For our May meeting we welcomed Chris Perkins, who presented a fascinating talk entitled "A Brief History of Tankers". Taking us from the first tankers to the largest vessels ever constructed, and focussing on ships of the BP fleet, Chris showed the development of ships throughout the twentieth century and highlighted technical aspects of their design from his perspective of having worked in tankers as an electrical officer. Interleaved with many amusing tales from his time at sea, the evening was extremely enjoyable and we look forward to welcoming Chris back in the future for the next part of the story.

May 2017 Meeting

For our May meeting we welcome Chris Perkins, presenting "A Brief History of Tankers". 19:30, 11th May, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

Branch Notes - April 2017

For our April meeting, our branch treasurer, Colin Baigent entertained a good turn-out of members with a show in two parts, firstly we previewed a selection of the past maritime happenings on the River Exe, now closed to commercial shipping. This was followed by an illustrated talk on Colin’s recent journeys to the Hong Kong area. A very entertaining evening glimpsing both elements of our recent local past and the wider Oriental World stage.

March 2017 Meeting

In our March meeting several members will present a talk entitled "South Devon Shipping", shortly to be presented at the WSS AGM held in Torquay in May. 19:30, 9th March, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

February 2017 Meeting

Our February meeting sees the return of Bernard McCall, presenting "McCall's Magical Mystery Tour". 19:30, 9th February, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.

January 2017 Meeting

For our first meeting of 2017 we are viewing a talk written by the Mid-Essex WSS branch entitled "TROPIC Voyage". 19:30, 12th December, Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth. Non members are most welcome.