A model of one of the River Thames’ most famous vessels has been unveiled by His Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Kent, at its new home, Watermen’s Hall in the City of London.
The scale replica of Havengore, the Port of London Authority’s hydro-graphic survey vessel and flagship, was built in 2005 by Mr. Mike Barnett, a model maker who had worked on the river for many years. It was created to act as a museum piece and to record the boat’s key role in the State Funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in January 1965. Until recently it was kept at the Bletchley Park Museum as part of the Churchill Exhibition there.
Yesterday (16 March), the model was presented to The Master of the Company of the Watermen and Lightermen, Alderman Sir David Wootton, by Mr. Chris Ryland, the owner of both the model and the vessel it replicates.
Havengore itself was specially commissioned by the Port of London Authority and built on the Thames by Messrs. Tough Brothers in Teddington in 1954. Her hull is of a double diagonal construction in teak over a framework of English oak. Powered by a matched pair of Gardner 8L3’s driving twin counter-rotating propellers and with a hull designed by The National Physical Laboratory, she is extremely manoeuvrable and designed specifically for the waters of the Thames.
Launched in early 1956, her proudest moment came on 30th January 1965 when she carried Sir Winston Churchill on his final journey by water along the Thames, watched live by a worldwide audience of 350 million, at that time one tenth of the World’s population. At the end of the BBC broadcast of the State Funeral, the leading commentator Richard Dimbleby CBE said: “And so Havengore now sails into history – not even the Golden Hind has borne so great a man”.
Over the last 16 years, Havengore has been painstakingly restored by Chris Ryland. This distinguished vessel has now resumed her former role and continues to take part in ceremonial occasions and the hosting of visiting dignitaries. As well as spotting Havengore on the Thames, visitors to the 18th century Watermen’s Hall will be able to enjoy the detail of the smaller version of this historic ship.
Chris Ryland said: “Havengore has spent the whole of her life on the River Thames in London, so Watermen’s Hall seems to be the ideal home for this model. I am delighted that the Company of Watermen and Lightermen have accepted this gift and hope many more people will get to see it and learn Havengore’s rich history”.
The Master of the Company of the Watermen and Lightermen, Alderman Sir David Wootton, said: “We are proud to be the custodians of this model, which honours part of the River Thames’ important maritime and political role in our history as a Nation. It will be displayed in the Silver Room at Watermen’s Hall”.
