Ship Sank in Heysham Harbour

[trevnhil]

Ian said... It could be getting dark then I wish she had sunk in June.

I wonder if you could pass that on to the company. ;D ;D

Maybe they will start as soon as the Ben has left.

Good Luck again Ian.

[accykeef]

I am glad I didn't wait on Sunday.

I thought these people were experts at this kind of thing.
I appreciate that the wind would be a problem and don't blame them for postponing until better conditions. The Abigail is a relatively small vessel at 200 tonnes, with what is reported to be only minor damage and they have taken over 3 weeks to prepare her for the lift. There was frantic work going on when I was there on Sunday morning but what were they doing?

[trevnhil]

Hi Keith. I agree with what you say, and that it is a relatively small vessel. The reason for the sinking is still not stated as far as I know. If it is damage to the hull it can only be fairly minor.

But.....and it is a big but. The ship is 50 years old. The state of the inside will be dreadful now. It will be full of silt, and the salt water will have contaminated everything, not least the electrics.

Although they will have to get her out of the harbour, my bet is and always has been that she will be scrapped.

Regards. Trev

[accykeef]

Yes Trev, the electrics will be U/S but how does a dredger survive for 50 years having salt water silt poured into it's hold daily, I would have though the hull would have become a pepper pot years ago.
They were fortunate that it sank where it did. What would have happened to the port if it had gone down in the entrance? 3 weeks without a ferry - it could have killed off Heysham altogether.
I am sure there are reasons for the delay in raising her but I can't help thinking that there has been little technical progress since Brunell's day.

The apparent news blackout is of concern too, there is no mention of events in the Morecambe Citizen and the Mersey Mammoth seems to have slipped into the harbour unnoticed. Was that the idea of her arriving in darkness. This thread has had a lot of viewers, perhaps this is the official news source.

Accy Keef - News at Ten - Our House

So what is the state of affairs now I wonder?

[WillowTheWhisp]

This does seem to be the only source of news on the subject. You don't suppose there's something mysterious going on and the Baywebbers have entered into a web of intrigue do you?

[trevnhil]

Hi Keith. I had never given any thought to one of your questions. We all know that a metal ship is protected from corrosion on the outside by coats of paint. But I have never wondered what they do to stop the rust on the INSIDE of a dredger hold, and also the doors that let the sand out. Surely thay must do somthing to stop the corrosion.... But what.

With regard to what they would have done had she been sinking in the entrance. I don't know the definitive answer to that either but if they had time they would have got the standby tug out and towed her to a better (for the harbour) spot.

Regards. Trev..

[accykeef]

I think the conspiracy theory is a valid cause for concern, lifeboat1721 and kidstypike have both disappeared, you don't think 'they' have got them do you?
I never believed men landed on the moon either, how did the spacecraft stay on the surface, without an anchor, in zero gravity? They should have gone in the Abigail H, she stays down in all conditions

[trevnhil]

You're cracking up Keith And when I last looked you had not posted on the 10 differences.

If they went through 'that gate' they may both be Helping the police with their enquiries.

Regards. Trev.

And the moon Has gravity..

[kidstypike]

I've been up the lakes today , far too nice for the harbour

[accykeef]

The moon has gravity - you expect me to believe that, from a chap who's had the same glass in his hand for weeks.

You'll be telling me it's not made of cheese next.

Phew Dave, you had us worried for a bit then, thought you'd been deported.

[lifeboat1721]

I'm Still here ;D ;D

They started to attach cables approx 1400 this aft, The divers were in and out of the water ALL the time, The actual lift started at 1600 with a blow of a whistle and a few grunts and groans from the ships.

to be honest I dont know what they have done I left about 1700 it was freezing and there was no lite to shoot with, I have just heard ships being given the ok to enter the port, these ships usually dock 1800\1900 so something must have been done.

A safety guy came over to the south Quay and said that it was supposed to be a partial lift, so they may have welded a plate on over the hole, pumped her out and hopefully she will float I Just dont know..

Hope you enjoy the picks





Ian

[accykeef]

Well done Ian for staying around for the duration. We were worried that you might have been abducted by the same people who convinced Abigail she was a submarine. Hopefully, you will have thawed out by now and suffered no ill effects from your little adventure. If there were no press guys there, it might be worth sending your pics to the papers and to BBC/NWT.

[trevnhil]

Yes, very well done Ian. And we saw the pics first on here.

Get round to the Guardian / Visitor office in the morning.

Trev..

[trevnhil]

Nov 25, 2008 19:27:02 GMT accykeef said:

The moon has gravity - you expect me to believe that, from a chap who's had the same glass in his hand for weeks.

You'll be telling me it's not made of cheese next.

Phew Dave, you had us worried for a bit then, thought you'd been deported.

Are you another one of 'those people' who think the moon is made of Emmental Cheese.

That theory is, as you well know.... full of holes.

Cheesy smile. Trev..

[WillowTheWhisp]

The Moon is made of green cheese. Everybody knows that.

Brilliant photos Ian! Can you keep us updated on what happens next?