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The Log of “Corinthian” June 1949

By Brenda Lambert

& Jeffery Hammond

The following is a transcript of the log of a holiday taken on the motor cruiser “Corinthian” which was hired between the 4th and 11th June 1949. Written by Brenda Lambert and Jeffery Hammond, the log details their week afloat with a group of friends on board the cruiser which was hired from R.Moore & Sons of Wroxham. The log was submitted to the archive by Brenda and Jeffery’s daughter, Debbie Whymant. A selection of photos taken by the Hammond’s during this, and subsequent holidays on the Norfolk Broads can be found in the 1900-1950 Gallery.

Saturday 4th June  Night Mooring: Fleet Dyke, South Walsham

1600: Slipped from Moore’s Yard, having previously had ½ hrs. trial run with engineer on board. Downstream to Salhouse Broad passed Horning Ferry.

1720: Moored for tea ½ mile from ferry.

1840: Slipped and proceeded passed remains of Abbey Gate and explored South Walsham Broad.

2000: Returned along Fleet Dyke and moored near its mouth for the night. Dinghy was given its first outing by the boys while the girls prepared their first meal on board.

Weather: On slipping at 1600 encountered heavy thundery shower but it cleared and the remainder of the day was calm and clear.

Brenda Lambert & Jeffery Hammond

Sunday 5th June  Day mooring: Fleet Dyke  Night mooring: Thurne Dyke

Early morning tea by Don. Mooring very satisfactory, but crew, especially the girls, were somewhat disturbed by noise of lapping water against gunwales. They woke at 3.00am and talked. The bunks proved extremely comfortable.

1050: Slipped and proceeded downstream to Potter Heigham and Don at the wheel navigated “Corinthian” smoothly through the notorious bridge. Thence to Pleasure Boat Dyke off Hickling Broad.

1230: Arrived and moored. Don and Trevor went sailing. Crew except Maureen had a drink at “Pleasure Boat Inn”

Washed up and had a rest. Trevor, Don, Maureen & Ruth went sailing while Brenda and Jeff prepared for next meal, after a short walk round Dyke.  

1740: Tea and cakes.

1830: Slipped – well navigated again by Don from crowded dyke and proceeded to Potter Heigham once more, where we watered ship. Jeff stopped engine by overheating – Black Mark, Jeff!! Proceeded at snail’s pace to Thurne Dyke, mooring off starboard corner of dyke.

Weather: Beautiful clear blue sky but clouded a bit on slipping. Improved later, stiff breeze and encountered many yachts. All felt sun-burnt and wind-swept.

After dinner drinks at “Lion Hotel” and proceeded merrily back to “Corinthian”. Turned in at 11.00pm.

Monday 6th June – Whitsun Bank Holiday  

Day Mooring: Thurne Dyke   Night mooring: Acle Dyke, Eastick’s Yard

Early morning tea by Maureen. Jeff collected milk in the dinghy at 8.00am. Motor cruiser picking up a crew member carried away out port fender, but this was retrieved.

Stores collected in dinghy by Ruth and Jeff.

1100: Slipped and headed for Yarmouth.

1245: Moored 2 miles upstream from Yarmouth for lunch.

1400: Slipped and arrived Yarmouth at:

1500: Moorings crowded and had some difficulty in finding one.  Went ashore and walked through town to sea front – extremely crowded. Went on Pier and tried Amusement Arcade and bumper cars. Proceeded back to Yarmouth Yacht Station by taxi – we couldn’t get back quick enough. Watered ship.

1730: Slipped and proceeded upstream to Acle

2000: Acle Dyke. Very pleasant mooring, peaceful and calm. Ruth went rowing in dinghy and later Trevor was taken aboard and they went sailing.

Corinthian at Acle in June 1949

Weather: Fine morning with stiff breeze. Later sun shone and we had the best day so far. Suntops and shorts all day.

Went to “Hermitage Inn” for drinks – Jeff woke up the village playing the piano and we had a rowdy sing-song. Turned out at closing time and returned to “Corinthian”. Tea and bed.

Tuesday 7th June

Day mooring: Acle Dyke  Night mooring: Womack Water, Ludham.

 Brenda made early morning tea. Ruth collected milk and later Don.

Maureen and Ruth went in dinghy before breakfast. Don and Maureen sailed soon after their return. Trevor inflated his rubber dinghy. A fishmonger came alongside. All proceeded to Acle Village and collected stores and visited church. Jeff and Don bought identical horse pipes. Stocked up with cigs at a barber’s shop. Don and Jeff had a drink at Hermitage Inn and Trevor went sailing. Girls prepared lunch and later boys watered ship.

Ruth Sullivan

After recovering from lunch – Don and Jeff went sailing. Girls tidied up and washed smalls. Took on fuel and:

1725: Slipped and proceeded upstream towards Ludham. Had breakdown - engine - due to overheating - slight damage to starboard gunwale on drifting to emergency mooring.

Weather: Bright intervals – rather cloudy though most times. Not as bright as yesterday. Shower mid-day.  Stiff breeze in noon.

Passed Thurne and wended way up Womack Water – very pretty scenery and:

1900: Found pleasant mooring alongside a wood. All went off in dinghy, Jeff rowing, and we explored the Water and returned for Dinner.

Washed up and went into Ludham Village to “King’s Head” and “Baker’s Arms” which didn’t come up to expectations. Woke up latter house with sing-song. Homeward bound – quite merry. Turned in at 11.pm.

Wednesday 8th June     

Day mooring: Womack Water  Night mooring:  Old Lime Kiln Dyke Nr. Neatishead

Trevor made early morning tea. Maureen collected the milk (two journeys) found its quite a long walk.

Trevor Hall

While Don tinkered with the engine the rest went round the backwaters in dinghy. On return Ruth, Brenda and Don went for a walk into village to buy a loaf.

12.30: Slipped and cruised up River Ant. Watered ship at Ludham Bridge and continued up to Irstead for lunch. Boys purchased veg.and potatoes from nearby cottage.

1600: Slipped and proceeded to Barton Broad. Explored broad as far as Neatishead but found moorings crowded so retraced our route and moored at Old Lime Kiln Dyke for night. Lost mop twice here – once by Ruth and once by Brenda. Jeff made marvellous recovery of same. Trevor had some difficulty in turning round at Neatishead? Don, Ruth, Maureen went for a row.

Weather: Cloudy in the morning – bright sunny periods during afternoon and evening.

Boys in a very cheerful mood – why? Heaven alone knows. Jeff had tummy trouble! After dinner went to village and bought milk (with loan of can by farmer’s wife) – adjourned to the “Eagle Tavern” -  large party of broads folk - one chap played the piano and there was a terrific uproar. Returned to “Corinthian” – chocolate biscuits and late to bed.

Thursday 9th June        

Day mooring: Old Lime Kiln Dyke   Night mooring:  Malthouse Broad, Ranworth

The most wonderful morning. Ruth and Brenda went rowing in the dinghy at 6.00am. in their pyjamas - and photographed swans and the boats moored alongside. Ruth made early morning tea.

Maureen Hearn

Maureen and Brenda fetched milk (two journeys). Don and Brenda washed up.

1015: Slipped - Jeff at the wheel. Proceeded up Barton Broad en route lost a fender and Brenda retrieved same by dinghy. Moored at Stalham and went shopping - had coffee, bought sweets and wrote cards.

Weather: Still beautiful – really hot and shorts and suntops all day.

Watered ship further up dyke and Brenda took dinghy upstream to wait while they turned round. Proceeded back to Narton Broad and dropped mud weight and Don went sailing before lunch. (Picked some water lilies).

Trevor went sailing for ½ hr. Left Barton Broad and proceeded up passed Barton Turf and up continuation of River Ant in direction of Wayford Bridge. Stuck in Dilham Canal mud about 100 yds. From Tonnage Bridge. Reversed off mud with difficulty able to turn boat round and decided to moor and go in search of eggs and milk.

Complete crew took dinghy, rowed by Maureen up passed Bridge and bartered for milk and ducks eggs at Tonnage Bridge Farm. (Jeff left the kitty behind).

Slipped once more and proceeded downstream to Barton Broad (tea en route) and with general disapproval Don anchored close to lunch-time mooring. Heated discussion and we again slipped, Brenda at the helm, to Irstead - Trevor was put ashore and ship lay to while he tried to get eggs - no luck.

Underway again and down River Ant to Ranworth passing Ludham Bridge to Malthouse Broad. Broad was seething with other craft. Maureen bought us in and we anchored close off shore to Maltster Public House.

Took to dinghy after tea, Maureen again rowing us, and went to Maltsters which proved to be very quiet – at least we all felt quiet. 10.30pm. returned on board and turned in. Cold mist blew up after dark.

Friday 10th June        

Day mooring: Malthouse Broad  Night mooring: “Rising Sun”, Coltishall

Brenda up at 7.am. and got tea. Maureen fetched milk.

10.30:  Weighed weight – steamed upstream and watered ship at Horning and then looked in at Wroxham Broad and surveyed Wroxham generally.Thence to the upper reaches of River Bure to Coltishall Dam and turned and moored to bank.

The crew at Coltishall in June 1949

Had to slip after brief rest on bunk mattresses (on bank) as the mooring turned out to be private. Stores remaining were sorted and disposed of by raffle and a stand up tea was eaten.

Slipped and proceeded downstream and moored at the “Rising Sun” – Coltishall. Boys went sailing and girls spruced up and prepared supper.

Weather: The weather was very kind to us on our last day. It was really lovely. Crew all fairly brown (or burnt).

2100: Adjourned to “Anchor Inn” where Ruth and Brenda phoned home, thence to the next “pub” for pianoforte recital and song scrapbook 1914, 1935 etc.,! Turned in late after cups of tea and kitty balancing.

Saturday 11th June  Day mooring: “Rising Sun”, Coltishall

Up early and Brenda made tea. Maureen went ashore for milk but returned with empty can.

0810: Slipped - Maureen on wheel – remainder had hasty breakfast and afterwards packed clothes and cleaned ship.

0900: Don bought “Corinthian” alongside Moores Yard at 0900. All passengers and crew went ashore and sundry packages stored in stern of Don’s land-going motor car.

1000: Exactly. And so we say farewell to rushes awash with wash, lapping water, drinking water, and pumping water, short sails, long sails and little rows, sumptious spreads tired heads and comfortable beds. And it is with regret that we turn our faces westwards to the sun, with the vibration of the mighty engine singing in our ears.

By Brenda Lambert & Jeffery Hammond 1949

Don Thompson