During Stefan's survey back in London , a hatch on the stern deck had been opened for a hose to do whatever it was that the hose was doing. An enticing ladder descended into its darkness. The survey report made enigmatic references to openings in forward and aft ballast tanks and internal bilges.
One high-tide weekend we decided to explore what lay beneath.
It was a tight squeeze.
My descent was particularly tight.
We found a curious, amber world of strange eruptions and corroded crustacean forms.
It was dry, this oxidised cave, but for some little pools of clear water in which lichen-like
growths and flakes of rosy, russet and ruby steel coruscated. The atmosphere was cool and
still although the colours and the resinous bubbles and knots suggested otherwise - that
there was warmth and ferment and life evolving which, in a way, it was. Is.
Nice to see someone who will love her for the next part of her life has now got her, shame someone let her get in that state in the first place, when i knew Richard Ferris who owned her the engine was run once a week, oil checked and changed regularly, the tops of the 8 cylinders were MY pride and joy, the cylinder blocks were 'military' grey and the rocker covers were polished so you could see your face in them, all the brasswork glowed. The only thing that saddens me a little bit, is that it appears holes have been cut into the bulkhead, which means she will not be 'seaworthy' but never the less nice to see someone cares about her again. I would love to come down and see her again one day, spent a lot of time on her in the past. :0)
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