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The cruise
started in bright sunlight but was to end with showers
setting in. Passing Chatham Dockyard, the preserved naval sloop Gannet was moored in the main stream near Thunderbolt Pier. |
Halloween Voyage
by Martin Longhurst
Saturday 30 October 1999 saw the last sailing of the season from Strood Pier. Today the destination was Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppey.
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The cruise
started in bright sunlight but was to end with showers
setting in. Passing Chatham Dockyard, the preserved naval sloop Gannet was moored in the main stream near Thunderbolt Pier. |
Between Kingsnorth and Thamesport we passed the Radio Caroline ship, the former trawler Ross Revenge. |
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Sharing the same anchorage was the cable laying ship Atlantic Horizon. She is apparently laid up as she has been on the same buoys for over a month. |
We were able to spend 75 minutes in the historic town of Queenborough, notable for having a councillor who is a member of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.
On the return leg a well-known witch and her familiar cast a spell over the passengers, getting them to give up their hard-earned money in exchange for raffle tickets, for a chance to win Hubble Bubble Double Truffles! |
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At Thamesport container terminal, the OOCL Faith was busy exchanging containers before passing on to its next port of call. |
Back at Strood, we left KC for the last time in the present Millennium. She backed away to the middle of the river before turning for Chatham. Captain Megoran sounded three long whistle blasts to mark the last call. |
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