By the end of the 1950s, Lady Dixon’s time in Belfast was
coming to an end (the ship, not the Commissioner’s wife!). The Minutes reveal (Nov
1959) that “… the Harbour Master had reported that parts of the upper works of
the pilot light vessel Lady Dixon, (which is not due for triennial survey until
February, 1961) were in a poor state, and that, as it was possible that some of
the underparts of the vessel were in similar condition, he had suggested that a
thorough inspection of the vessel on station be made by a competent wooden ship
surveyor….”. A report from the Harbour
Engineer subsequently reported “…. a certain amount of deterioration of the
decking and a small leak on the starboard quarter; any detailed examination of the vessel would
necessitate the removal of a considerable amount of panelling and decking, and
suggesting, in the circumstances, that the vessel be dry-docked as soon as is
reasonably practicable for the purpose of survey …..”. It got worse!
In February 1960 the vessel was withdrawn from station and a preliminary
survey reported that “The work immediately necessary to make the vessel serviceable
for a period of 12 months, i.e., until she is due for triennial survey and
overhaul …” was estimated to cost £3,000 (£58,000 today) and take 3 months. The
overhaul and work necessary to make the vessel serviceable for a further 3
years would cost at least £20,000 (£390,000 today) and take 4/6 months.
These costs obviously
caused concern and discussions began about whether the pilotage service could
be run from a shore station at Carrickfergus (which would require the building
of a landing stage and the purchase of two fast motor vessels). After much
discussion and detailed estimates of the various options, it was decided (8
March 1960) that Lady Dixon would not be repaired. There was even a suggestion
at one stage that the vessel be beached at Carrickfergus to provide
accommodation for the pilots, but a building ashore became available.
The final mention was in the minutes of 29 November 1960
when it was agreed that the vessel would be disposed of. She was advertised in, of all publications,
the ‘Yachting World’ and in February 1961 a Belfast businessman, Mr G.A.Lee
offered £185 (£2,800 today). This offer
was declined, but when he raised it to £685 (£10,600 today) later that month,
his offer was accepted. That was the end
of Lady Dixon’s period in Belfast and within about 12 months she was on her way
to a new career as a Pirate Radio Station – which, as we have seen, never got
off the ground/water.
Meanwhile, back down on the Medway, Simon is pressing on
with the refurbishment. The quaint old stove which he purchased to provide heat
downstairs, sorry below deck, (Photo) .....
........ came up very well with a lot of elbow
grease (Photo).
The curly silvery trimmings top and bottom and the
ash-catcher lids on the sides, are showing their age and no amount of rubbing
is going to disguise the corrosion, but he does not want to paint them (Photo).
The next big job is tiling the kitchen floor. This involves
a membrane which has to be glued to the deck; then the tiles are glued to the
membrane. He has the membrane cut to size and ready to glue (Photo),
so the
tiles should be down this week. After that, now that drier weather is on offer,
the main deck will be insulated.
There remains the question of what to do with the old
skylight from the kitchen roof, which is in better condition than it looks
(Photo).
Simon is thinking of using it
to replace the forward companionway doors, which are not in good shape. One of
those port-holes in each door will look good.
David
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