The National Maritime Museum Cornwall hold the Alan Buchanan plans archive. They have been busy cataloguing the archive, and a list of the plans that are available can be seen on their web site at https://nmmc.co.uk/explore/databases/buchanan-designs/
Here are some pictures of people from Stebbings. If you recognise anyone – or you recognise yourself! – please leave a reply/comment at the bottom of the page. Very many thanks.
Picture 11. Photo from the the temporary shop set up after the fire of the shop on the quay 1913.
Picture 12. I don’t know who this is.
Picture 13. Unknown group, although the young man front-right appears in other pictures. One of the men in the back row may be Ted Murrell.
Picture 14. Derek Doe working on the fitting out of a Crystal class.
I’ve got a number of photos that include pictures of the people that worked at Stebbings over the years. Many of the images are rather grainy and people’s faces aren’t always clear. I have no idea who the majority of the people are, so if you recognise anyone – or you recognise yourself! – please leave a reply/comment at the bottom of the page, or e-mail me at peteyshep@gmail.com . Very many thanks.
Picture 1. I think this picture was taken in April 1945. Cyril (Sandy) Burgess back row far right.
Picture 2. Peter Jowers, I think, with Harry Stebbings, 1943
Picture 3. I think this is Wilf Burton, 1950
Picture 4. Men working in no. 5 shop, Chapel Road
Picture 5. Another view of men working in no. 5 shop, 1950
Picture 6.
Picture 7. Final preparations before Festival Vertue is sent on her way to the Festival of Britain 1951. William Frederick “Bill” Stebbings in the centre.
Picture 8. Betty Warren standing in the foreground.
Picture 9. A Bonito class under construction, I think.
Picture 10. Second from the right is William Stebbings, and on his right is his brother Albert Harry Stebbings.
Following the death of Alan Buchanan, his collection of yacht plans and drawings have been passed to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall for entry into their archive. The update below describes progress as of April 2016,
Rolls of plans are being sorted and racked by Dwg Nos There are more than 1400 sets of drawings to be identified and catalogued. To date more than 90% have been identified and racked. Many of the rolls of plans were badly damaged when in store before being received. Four large rolls containg 90 Lines plans have been found and catalogued details will be published shortly Enquiries can be accepted and copies of specifications for individual designs can be traced.
So if anyone is interested in obtaining plans for a Buchanan designed yacht, I suggest contacting the staff at the NMMC Bartlett Library.
Alan Buchanan C.Eng, FRINA passed away peacefully at Lakeside Care Home, Jersey, on Monday, 26 January, 2015, in his 93rd year. From the mid-1950’s until it’s close in 1967, nearly all of Stebbings’ new boats were Alan Buchanan designs. Many of these beautiful boats are still sailing and are cherished by their owners. My condolences to his sons Richard and Andrew and their families.
Pete Shepherd
Stebbings Archive
Apologies to any recent visitors whose browser warned them that this site is insecure. I got hacked!
The damage has now been repaired and the security has been tightened up. If you run a WordPress blog and suffer a similar intrusion then I can recommend the services of Sucuri Security.
Regards,
Pete Shepherd
December 2011, and it looks like it’s going to be a mild Christmas for most of us. Some hardy types will probably get out for a sail on the Crouch, but in the coldest of winters ice may stop play.
The second photo may be from 1895, another very cold winter. The coastguard vessel HMS Kangeroo is visible in the background alongside the London Sailing Club. As well as freezing in the boats of the local oyster merchants, the severe cold also had the power to devastate the river’s oyster population.
‘Preparing for the yachting season’ by Lancelot Speed
The illustration shown above, by Lancelot Speed, was published in the April 4th 1925 edition of The Graphic, an illustrated weekly newspaper of the era that was quite influential in the art world and served as a vehicle for some quite accomplished artists and illustrators.
The sub-text reads,
At Burnham-on-Crouch, London’s nearest and chief yachting port, there is much feverish activity in fitting out in time for Easter. It is evident that small yacht sailing is steadily gaining favour, and it is possible that this summer the fleet of pleasure craft in the river may approach the amazing total of 1085, just before the War, lying afloat between Fambridge and Burnham. To-day the water-front, as the drawing shows, is alive with yacht hands, toiling in a confusion of ropes and wire, blocks, sails, mooring anchors, dinghies, binnacles and other gear: but very shortly all will be spick and span, and the fleet ready to sail.
The picture shows a yacht named Curlew being hoisted by the Stebbings crane, and the London Sailing Club clubhouse can be seen clearly in the background.
The January 1943 edition included a picture article about Stebbings. This was soon after the business had been sold by the Stebbings family, to Lloyd Shakespeare. The picture and text (see above) feature Betty Warren, Shakespeare’s partner (they married after the war). The error about the yard’s location may have been introduced deliberately. The full text is as follows,
Miss Betty Warren, stage and screen actress, who is now appearing in “Waltz Without End” in London, is a boatbuilder in her spare time.
A native of Portsmouth, she has naturally been interested in the sea all her life. Since the war, she decided she wished to play another part, but not on the stage this time. With Mr. Lloyd Shakespeare, the dance band conductor, she acquired a Thames-side [sic] boatbuilding yard. Mr. Shakespeare also has a love of the sea, for he was a keen amateur yachtsman.
Now, almost every week-end, Miss Warren can be seen in dungarees, working in her yard with the other employees, men and women, who number nearly two score. She has learned quite a lot about boatbuilding and her firm is turning out ships’ lifeboats, whalers and dinghies for the Admiralty and the Ministry for War Transport.
In the photo, Betty Warren is stood in foreground. The scene is of the yard at Chapel Road.
Oysters have been on the British menu since prehistory, but over time, the fishing for uncultured oysters was replaced with highly developed forms of cultivation on managed grounds. Burnham and the Crouch were among a number of East Coast fisheries at the forefront of these developments. Essex Gold: The fortunes of the Essex Oysterman by the late Hervey Benham provides a detailed history.
The entry for Burnham in Kelly’s Directory of Essex 1882 describes,
The river [Crouch] is famous for its oyster beds, the produce of which is exported to Ostend, Belgium and Dunkirk and the oyster companies on the coast of Kent being supplied with the surplus oysters. The Burnham [Oyster] Company consists of five partners viz. John James Hawkins, Mrs. Sainsbury, Spencer Addison, John Rogers and Mrs. William Auger. There are several other oyster merchants in the town and many men are employed in the trade, as well as in catching herrings and other fish; there is also good business carried on in boat, barge and shipbuilding, sail making and in corn and coal.
At present it is not clear whether Thomas Stebbings (1819-1890), who was a bargeman, was involved in the oyster fishery, but his son, William (1843-1910) worked as a shipwright for oyster merchant Spencer Addison during the 1870’s and 80’s, principally building and repairing the vessels used within the oyster fishery. The relationship with the Addison’s business may have lasted longer but this needs further research. Spencer Addison died aged only 36 in October 1884. His widow continued as owner of his business and her interests were managed by Mr. Alexander Richmond.
A document exists that lists all the various boats that William Stebbings built (mostly) for S. Addison. Some of the larger boats on the list are,
1871 January 2nd. Burnham Comp [Company?] Hornet
Length of keel 22’ 6”. From stem to stern post 26’. Width beam 10′. Width across taffil rail 6′. Depth aft 7′ [ditto] forward 6′. Shear 6″. Depth bulwark 1’2″. Length mast 31′. Size of mast 7. Length of boom 24′ [ditto] gaff 16′. Length of bowsprite 21′.
From THE CHELMSFORD CHRONICLE Friday March 3rd 1871.
LAUNCH – On Wednesday week a smart vessel, built by Mr. W. Stebbings, for Mr. L. Sweeting, was successfully launched in the presence of a large number of spectators. The vessel will hereafter be known as the “Hornet”, and the ceremony of naming the craft was performed in the usual manner by Mrs. John Sweeting.
1871 March. Dimensions of yacht Dryad built for S. Addison esq.
Length in keel 27’ [ditto] from stem to stern post 32’. Beam 10′. Depth aft 7’6″. Depth forward 6′. Shear 5″. Length mast 34′. Size mast 8. Length boom 29′ [ditto] gaff 17′. Topmast 22′ [ditto] bowsprite 20′. Topsail yard 24′.
From THE CHELMSFORD CHRONICLE Friday May 26th 1871
YACHT LAUNCH – On Tuesday afternoon last a yacht which has just been built for Mr. Spencer Addison, grandson of Mr. Laban Sweeting, was successfully launched on the river here, in the presence of a large number of spectators. The ceremony of naming the vessel was duly and gracefully performed by Mrs. Richardson, of Burnham Wycke. The Dryad, for such is the name given to the yacht, does much credit to the builder, Mr. W. Stebbings. She has a very smart and “racy” appearance, and will doubtless, under the able management of Captain James Auger, be able to give a good account of herself. In the evening the event was celebrated by a most liberal entertainment given by Mr. L. Sweeting at the Anchor Inn. Mr. A. Rome presided, and the vice chair was occupied by Captain Auger. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been duly honored, the chairman, in suitable terms, proposed the health of Mr. Addison, and trusted that he might be spared to enjoy the pleasures of his new and handsome yacht, and that happiness and prosperity might attend him through life. [Applause]-Several other toasts were given, and were most cordially received. Some excellent songs were sung, especially by Mr. Joseph Richmond, whose quaint and humorous renderings were a source of merriment to those present.
1872 December 5th. Double handed punt. Length 24’. Width 3’9″. Depth middle 1’1″ [ditto] aft 11″ [ditto] forward 9″. Shear 4″. Cambour to bottom 4″.
1873 May. Yacht Beryle (raced by Mr. Addison in local regattas). Length of keel 40’. Length from stem to stern post 44’. Beam 11′. Depth aft 9′ [ditto] forward 7’6″. Shear 10″. Depth bulwark 1’4″. Length mast 45′. Size mast 10″. Length boom 36′ [ditto] gaff 24′ [ditto] topmast 28′. Bowsprite 27′.
From THE ESSEX NEWSMAN, May 3rd 1873.
LAUNCH OF A YACHT AT BURNHAM – On Tuesday a handsome yacht of 18 tons berthen, which has been built by Mr. W. Stebbings, for Mr. S. Addison, was successfully launched in the presence of a large number of persons. The ceremony of naming the vessel was duly performed by Mrs. Richardson, of Burnham Wycke. The Berzel [sic], such being her name, is a very smart craft, and reflects great credit on the builder.
1874 February. Smack Wasp. Length of keel 23’. Length from stem to stern post 25’. Beam 10′. Shear 6″. Depth aft 6′. Depth forward 5′. Depth bulwark 1′. Length mast 31′ size 7″. Length boom 24′ [ditto] gaff [ditto] bowsprite.
From THE ESSEX NEWSMAN, February 7th 1874
LAUNCH AT BURNHAM – On Tuesday a smack, of 10 tons, which has just been built by Mr. W. Stebbings, for Mr. Spencer Addison, was successfully launched here. The craft was named the “Wasp” by Miss Ramsy in the usual manner. In the evening an excellent repast was provided for all who had taken part in the construction of the vessel by Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of the Anchor Inn, to which about 20 sat down, including Mr. A. Rome, who presided, Mr. W. Stebbings who officiated as vice-chairman, and Messrs. J. Harris, J. Cook, S. Bruce, J. Harris, junr., J. Rome, A. Richmond, R. Griggs, J. Wright, H. Cable, &c, &c. The health of Mr. Laban Sweeting, and Mr. Addison, were proposed by the Chairman in complimentary and eulogistic terms, and both toasts were most cordially responded to. A number of capital songs were sung and a most agreeable evening was spent by those present.
1875 January 1st. 25’ skiff built. Depth forward 3′ [ditto] aft 3′ [ditto] middle 7′. Shear 9″. Cambour 2.5″ to flat. Plank up in 11 streaks.
1875 March. May Fly built. Length of keel 25’. Length from stem to stern post 28’. Beam 10′. Depth aft 6′ [ditto] forward 5′. Shear 7″. Bulwark 12″. Length 31′ of mast size 7. Length boom 25′ [ditto] gaff 17′. Bowsprite 16′.
From THE ESSEX NEWSMAN, March 20th 1875.
LAUNCH AT BURNHAM – On Wednesday, a smart little vessel, which was named the May Fly, and which had been built by Mr. Wm. Stebbings for Mr. L. Sweeting, was successfully launched, and in the evening all those who had been engaged in the construction of the vessel partook of an excellent supper which had been provided by Mr. J. Smith, of the Anchor Inn. Mr. A. Rowe presided, and the vice-chair was occupied by Mr. W. Stebbings. Several complimentary toasts, including the health of Mr. Laban Sweeting and Mr. Spencer Addison, were proposed by the chairman, and energetically responded to. Some good songs were sung by several of those present, and the evening’s proceedings were ultimately brought to an agreeable termination. The May Fly is much admired and does much credit to Mr. Stebbings, who has on former occasions turned out some first-rate craft.
1878 Grebe built. Length of keel 25’ with beam 9’6″. Length from stem to stern post 28’. Depth forward 5′ [ditto] aft 6′. Shear 8″. Depth bulwark 1′. Length mast 32′ size 7″. Length boom 27′ [ditto] gaff 19′. Length bowsprite 20′ [ditto] topmast 22′.
From THE ESSEX NEWSMAN March 16th 1878
LAUNCH OF A VESSEL AT BURNHAM – On the 6th inst. a vessel of about 11 tons boarden, which has just been built by Mr. W. Stebbings, for Mr. Spencer Addison, was successfully launched, the naming ceremony being duly performed by Mrs. W. Stebbings. The smack will be known as the “Grebe”. On Friday afternoon in celebration of the event a number of men in the employ of Mr. Addison partook of an excellent dinner at the Anchor Inn. The meal was capitally served by Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and a most agreeable evening was afterwards spent.
1878 March 1st. Sea Swallow built. Length of keel 40’ with beam 9’6″. Length from stem to taffil rail 43′. Depth forward 5′ [ditto] aft 5′. Shear 8″, Depth bulwark 8″. Lengthened April 4th 1881 7’ by the head. Length of keel 47’, overall 50’. [Sea Swallow was steam powered]
From THE ESSEX NEWSMAN May 25 1878
LAUNCH OF A STEAM YACHT AT BURNHAM – On Saturday last a small steam yacht, which has just been built for Mr. Wm. Stebbings for Mr. Spencer Addison of Southend, was successfully launched from the quay, in the presence of a large number of spectators. The ceremony of naming the vessel, which will be known as the Sea Swallow, was performed by Miss Minnie Stebbings. The yacht is considered very smart. It is propelled by a screw worked by one of Plenty’s double-cylinder engines. The Sea Swallow is the first steamer ever launched at Burnham, and she will will form an important additional to the numerous craft belonging to this place.
1879 October. Spitfire built. Length of keel 32’. Length overall 37′ with beam 9′. Width across sterm 9′. Depth forward 5′ [ditto] aft 5′. Shear 8″. [Spitfire was steam powered, or possibly converted to steam]
From THE CHELMSFORD CHRONICLE, October 24th 1879.
LAUNCH OF A STEAM VESSEL – On Thursday, a steam vessel of 13 tons, built by Mr. W. Stebbings, for Mr. S. Addison, was successfully launched, in the presence of a large number of persons. The vessel, which was named the “Spitfire”, is a smart little craft and reflects much credit on Mr. Stebbings’s skill. An excellent dinner was afterwards provided at the Anchor Inn by direction of Mr. Addison, for a number of tradesmen and others.
1880 January 29th Square stern skiff built, Length 22’. Depth forward 2’9″ [ditto] aft 2’7″. Depth middle 2’4″. Width middle 6’2″. Width of transom 3’6″ seated up 1′. Cambour to flat 4″. Head sheats 5′ stern sheats 5′. Plank up 9 streaks.
1881 [Smack] Plover built. Length of keel 32’. Beam 10’6″. Depth aft 7’6″ [ditto] forward 7′.
1882 July, dimensions of new steam boat Firefly. commenced Jan 5th 1882. Launch July 1st 1882 had steam trial August 1st 1882. Length on keel 29’6″. Length overall 33′. Depth aft 4’4″. Depth forward 4′. Draft master aft 3′. Draft forward 1’8″ with beam 9′.
From the CHELMSFORD CHRONICLE, Friday 7th July 1882.
LAUNCHES – Never before has such an event taken place at Burnham as that of Saturday last, viz., the launching of two steam dredging vessels on the same day. Both launches were successfully carried out. From the ship-building loft belonging to Mr. Spencer Addison there glided into the river a smart-looking craft built for Mr. Addison by Mr. Wm. Stebbings, and from the workshop in the occupation of Mr. William Read was launched an equally smart looking, though smaller, vessel, that had been converted into a steamer by Mr. Read by direction of Mr. John Auger. Both vessels will be employed in the oyster fishery, and will form important additions to the steam dredging fleet connected with this place, which is all of recent construction. The launches, which took place between twelve and one o’clock, excited considerable interest and were witnessed by a large number of persons. The vessels in question were respectively names Firefly and Zeta, the former being named by Miss Rosa Wright in the usual manner, while in the latter case the ceremony was not observed. On Monday evening, in celebration of the launch of the Firefly, the men employed by Mr. Addison partook of an excellent supper provided by Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith at the Anchor Inn.
Stebbings Archive 