NEMO II Continued
Around 1950, she was re-modelled with a proper engine room, with wheel and controls above, and with some weather protection. I remember we went to the Boat Show, in London, where a new Thorneycroft diesel engine was ordered to replace the original petrol/paraffin (TVO) engine. In addition, the alterations involved a new deck, at thwart level, and seating around the gunn’els, with steel railings as a backrest, and, of course, for safety, as well as somewhere to mount lifebelts. Extra seating, was placed in the centre, for’ard and aft. Aft had life rafts for seating, as well as for life saving. Now she was licensed to carry 82 passengers. She remained like this for the remaining time she was in my fathers and Newts possession, and certainly into the 60’s. The later wheelhouse and fo’c’sle, “Viking Saga” style, being added after she passed to Dick Harman, who, previously, ran the Viking.
During the school holidays I worked, on the beach, with my father and Newt and other crew, making a total of four, plus me when available. At times, I would take the wheel when on pleasure trips and also taking the “Nemo” to/from Brightlingsea and Rowhedge. Crew members, at various times, included Albert Potter, Sid (or Syd?) Salmon, Dick Harman, Jack King and Billy Dale. Refer to rootschat.com, page 4, #32, for the crew around 1956. The dogs name I can’t remember, it belonged to a regular customer, but I am Unknown? in this photo. This connection with the “Nemo” continued for some time after I left school, when I worked weekends and holidays. I was not allowed to work full timeon the beach until I learnt a trade. When 15, I was made a licensed boatman, Clacton UDC No 21. I still have my hat with the Nemo II cap badge and licensed boatman badge. I also still have “Nemo’s” compass and the printing plate for the “Nemo” photograph which appeared on printed posters. Refer to rootschat.com, page 1, #1 second photo. My step-brother Jerry has Nemo’s bell.
When the “Nemo” was sunk, it was due to a storm coming up very quickly. Refer to rootschat.com, page 4, #33, where she and the Viking are at their moorings, and then Nemo’s recovery. Newt was the first to get down to the pier, but, due to the storms quickness and severity, no one could get to the Nemo to take her to safety. Perhaps the quickness, and severity, of the storm was a blessing in disguise, as Newt couldn’t swim. In these situations, the “Nemo” would normally be taken round to Brightlingsea, but on the few occasions, when a severe wind was in the wrong direction, she would go to Harwich. While Nemo was “out of service”, we used rowing boats, me from the east beach. I took, mainly, children for “a row with the boatman”.
Running from the west beach, in addition to “Nemo”, was the “Viking Saga”, “Jill”, (the last time I saw her, she was at St. Osyth, looking rather forlorn), then there were sister boats “Lady Essex” and “Lady Kent”. Running from the east beach for a while, was the “Skylark” with Jack King and a power boat, the name of which I can’t recall, run by Freddie Knight.
The very latest photos of the “Nemo” show that she came to very sad, and neglected, end. I would like to think I was involved, in a very small way, in her very best years.