Currently viewing the category: "Maritime"

Groundage in Filey Bay – A thriving business

On February 9, 2012 By

In a   record of rents written some time in the period between 1820 and 1830 the Lord of the manor at Hunmanby received fees totalling £156 sixteen shillings and fourpence for the rights of ‘groundage of vessel on delivery of cargo’ at Filey. This total far exceeded that from the Manor’s other recorded rental [...]

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Full Speed Ahead – Wreck of the British Empire

On February 8, 2012 By

On 27th February 1900 the 106ft long Steam Trawler British Empire struck rocks at Speeton. She had been fishing in heavy weather and was returning to her home port of Hull.  The weather was foggy and her skipper had taken lead soundings to assess his position. He thought he was on course for the Humber [...]

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The Search for the Bonhomme Richard

On February 1, 2012 By

The wreck of the Bonhomme Richard has been described as the last great wreck to be discovered, in the same league as the Titanic, Bismarck or Lusitania. The ‘Bonhomme’ is a name lknown to most American school children and very few English ones. Huge amounts of finance and resources have been spent by [...]

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The Battle of Flamborough Head – A war of propaganda

On January 31, 2012 By

Most American School Children know of the famous Battle of Flamborough Head  of 23rd September 1779 , involving the ‘father of the American Navy’ John Paul Jones who commanded a small squadron. The battle has been presented as a ‘single ship action‘, but Jones was the commodore of a [...]

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Coode’s Harbour of Refuge

On January 21, 2012 By

In January 1858 the Harbour Engineer John Coode reported to a Parliamentary Committee about the possibilities of building a harbour refuge in Filey Bay.

Several such ideas have occurred across generations since the time of Charles 1st. A major problem in the age of Sail, was being unable to sail against [...]

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