Time Capsules
Bristol, Charles Hill Dockyard
This could be the Harry Brown, a sand dredger belonging to the Bristol Sand and Gravel Company, in dry dock. New vessels were built in the yard too: I recall a lightship and the Scillonian, the ferry to the Scilly Isles being built here. But that may have been Scillonian II as the present vessel, Scillonian III, was built at Appledore
View Large VersionPicture added on 28 February 2010
I'm pretty sure this is the Harry Brown, named after the founder of the Holms Sand & Gravel Co, which was formed in 1924. The dredger was the last vessel specifically built for the Bristol sand trade, and was constructed here, in Charles Hill's yard, also known as the Albion Dockyard, in 1962. She was powered by a Ruston Hornsby diesel of 785 bhp and her dimensions were 164' x 31' x 14' 6"; gross weight 633 tonnes. She was operated by the Holms Sand & Gravel Co until the mid 1980s. Her last work was undertaken in the Middle East, where she was subsequently scuttled. Details from www.shipsnostalgia.com
Added by Martin Bodman on 28 February 2010
Yes it is the Harry Brown sold by Holms sand and gravel to ARC in the late 80's then sold by them in the early 90's
Added by .Martin Cox on 25 April 2010
I agree that that is the Harry Brown.
BTW the ship for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Co. was the Queen of the Isles. I was assistant naval architect in Hills at the time and remember her well.
BTW the ship for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Co. was the Queen of the Isles. I was assistant naval architect in Hills at the time and remember her well.
Added by Andrew Macgregor on 29 July 2010
Charles Hill built naval vessels too, including the Loch-class frigate HMS Loch Dunvegan, which was laid down on 29 September 1943 and conpleted on 25 June 1944, using extensive pre-fabrication. She was put on the disposal list and broken up at Briton Ferry in 1960. For a full history of the vessel see: www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-15Fr-Loch-LochDunvegan.htm
Added by Martin Bodman on 26 February 2011
Definitely the harry brown, I have pictures taken on the decks whilst out working for the first time.
Added by Clive Moore on 18 August 2011
England
