The following was sent to me several years ago by Walter Ford’s son. I regret to say I have lost his address. I hope he will forgive me reproducing the article here: Taken from an article in the Bideford Weekly Gazette dated December 1st 1936 Fate of the “Ceres” The 125 years old “Ceres”, veteran … Continue reading The Fate of the “Ceres” – 24th November 1936
Ceres A Wonderful Record The following information concerning the 117 years’-old ketch Ceres has been kindly given me by Captain W.W.Petherick, her owner, and he has consented to my using this in writing her history for Sea Breezes. There seems to be no doubt that the Ceres is our oldest sailing vessel still in active … Continue reading Ceres – as told in Sea Breezes, Feb 1929
On 24th November 1936, Ceres went down in Bideford Bay. “The 125 years old “Ceres”, veteran of the merchant service, her course now run, lies at the bottom of Bideford Bay, somewhere off Baggy Point. The “Ceres” sprang a leak on Tuesday night while on a voyage from South Wales to Bude, and foundered after … Continue reading Ceres – a suitable resting place
~~~ Watching the merchant ships leaving Bude must always have been a event ~~~ On the back of this photograph, my grandfather has written, “Can see her noble shape in this.” ~~~ ~~~ From a series of recently rediscovered photographs that had lain pressed in a book for the past ten years. For the previous sets here, here, here … Continue reading Ceres – putting to sea
Taking advantage of low tide. Enjoy the detail in this photograph – rudder, blocks, hobble boat, people on beach, men working. “Mr Health and Mr Safety, all of these children gained from the experience.” The definition is not so good in the photo, but the sentiment is. ~~~ From a series of recently rediscovered photographs … Continue reading Ceres – between trips
The turn-around had to be quick and slick between tides . . . . . . with an eye on the weather ~~~ Horses worked better then vehicles on the beach, but . . . ~~~ . . . here, on the lower wharf in Bude Canal Basin, the trains are preparing to take over. … Continue reading Ceres offloading
These photographs were taken at full tide. A few hours later, she would be high and dry on the sand. The hobble boat taking a line to the mooring post ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ From a series of recently rediscovered photographs that had lain pressed in a book for the past ten years. For the … Continue reading Ceres at anchor
Six pictures of Ceres found recently – pressed between the pages of an old volume. Several years ago years, a sudden flood swamped the old leather suitcase they’d been lying in. They were all damaged – water-marked and curled. The flattening-them-out-in-an-old-book trick seems to have worked. ~~~ Here she is rounding Barrel Rock. A hobble boat is … Continue reading The ketch ‘Ceres’ entering Bude
Ceres 1811 – 1936 As I write, I can hear the wind hammering the trees in front of the house. The inshore waters forecast for here gives southwesterly 6 to gale 8. For the Bristol Channel it gives: Lands End to St Davids Head including the Bristol Channel The outlook for the 24 hours following … Continue reading On the Ceres – 73 years ago today – not forgotten
In a previous post on For love of a boat, I said that I am happy to post the image of a boat and let it speak for itself. The vessels themselves are inherently beautiful for many reasons and it’s up to the viewer what they make of what they see. But what of those … Continue reading The Ketch Ceres
Beyond Steeple Point 