Print Page | Close Window

Gay Archer at Bristol

Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: Boats (In alphabetical order)
Forum Name: Gay Class Boats
Forum Description: Discussion on Gay Class Boats
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=614
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 1:33pm


Topic: Gay Archer at Bristol
Posted By: johnk
Subject: Gay Archer at Bristol
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 8:35pm
Hello,
 
Just wondering if there was anyfurther news on the plans re the GA going to Bristol, just that I am spending a lot of time there at the moment, and would be great to see her, a little less of the beaten track for me! trust all is going well with her.
 
Johnk


Replies:
Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 12 March 2009 at 1:38pm
Had a short call from Paul this morning. The Sea Cadets at Bristol has had to turn down the offer of using the ex HMS Gay Archer for "...Health and Safety reasons..." A sign of our times it appears - a few red faces when having to tell Paul the reasons. Currently still lying at Watchet Harbour - but there is another opportunity for the mooring of Gay Archer in the Bristol area - that is to be checked out.
Paul is now looking for the actual co-ordinates of the Gay Fencer sunk off Portland (as a Target Vessel). It is hoped that the "V" Drives will be intact (even after the long submersion) A local Diving Team wish to use the exercise of 'Search and possible - Lift' as a Project for their Team. If anyone can help in giving the e-address of the required Authority for locating such wrecks etc - would be most helpful.


-------------
Pioneer - Forum Moderator

Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 12 March 2009 at 5:29pm
Hi there,
 
Many thanks for this, what a great pity and a loss to the cadets, what an opportunity it would have been for them, yes you can't just bung them on board, would need some thought and planning of course but still..... as mentioned, going to Bristol a lot for the Medway Queen so selfish reason for hoping she would go there! this dive sounds very interesting, statment of the b.....d....g obvious I know, but will say anyway, the RN? as not  a grave should be OK but with know knowledge at all, might be an issue with munitions, any way, thanks again for the info
 
JohnK

Posted By: jimmy p
Date Posted: 10 April 2009 at 12:18am
Sorry to seem ignorant chaps but whats happening with this old girl?
  Last i heard she was in fine fettle & had a good home. Please dont tell me another one is being left for dead? Not a warboat & slightly camp name(although not when built) but if she the proverbial pound & has functioning sterngear, i'll take her


-------------
A boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, into which one throws money

Posted By: Wandering sparks
Date Posted: 10 April 2009 at 10:09pm
Hello to all. I have been following the forum for a good while now but this is my first post so please be kind to a newbie!!  I felt I had to reassure you all that GA is very much being cared for, and this year will see a program of work to finish below decks, complete wiring installations, improve aspects of the engine room and generally make sure she is able to outlast us! The V drives are the Achilles heel at the moment and have so far prevented us from achieving planing speed, hence the quest to replace them by whatever means we can. GA will be at Watchet for the forseeable future, and we are aiming to be out in the Channel when we can this summer but all this has to come from personal income and diesel aint cheap anymore! I hope this puts a few minds to rest, I can see the whole movement is suffering like us all but like I said , GA is being well cared for. 

Posted By: jimmy p
Date Posted: 11 April 2009 at 3:04am
Wandering sparks... Thats good news at the moment! Nice to know that some of us can still chase our dreams despite comrade browns best efforts. Also had a horrible feeling that she was left for dead & i'd take on a project i was ill prepared for.
 Know a top class fabricator & a lot of world class joiners but cant help with the Vee drives im afraid, all the great engineers i know took early(forced) retirement and sold thier machinery to india. Not sure where watchet is but got friends in bristol & can help out if GA is in the general area!
 If you know to a barn or field going cheap between bristol & bewdley then could be another project starting. Theres a white metal specialist and a couple of oldschool gearbox specialists local but they're more industrial than boat oriented. Dont know if Brian who sorted 506's gearboxes can help? He's not cheap but you get what you pay for! i'll dig out my 07 page a day & pm you his number. Failing that a wanted ad on ebay may turn up a pair of vee drives if you ignore the nigerian princes who can find anything.
  Good job so far chaps, Cudos


-------------
A boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, into which one throws money


Print Page | Close Window