Ramsgate
May 14, 2022
HM 182.
Ramsgate - A quirky Royal Harbour
As we sailed around this corner of Kent known as the "Isle of Thanet", the town harbours of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate glistened in the late afternoon sun.
The voice you hear on the VHF radio as you enter a harbour often reflects how it is managed. All boats calling Ramsgate Port Control used the word "Sir" in their transmissions and when I met Robert Brown the HM, it all made sense. He is one of those people you instantly respect and clearly this is passed down through his staff to all harbour users.
Robert had previously been a pilot (and flying instructor) of Hoverspeed hovercrafts (photo 10). Travelling at speeds up to 65 knots, these huge beasts had competed on the cross channel routes up until 2000 when the demise of heavily discounted "duty free" booze and cigarettes lead to their downfall. With careers in engineering, commerce and as "mate" on Stena Line ferries, Robert was well qualified to take over as HM of this busy port in 2009.
Britain's only "Royal Harbour" (decreed by King George IV in 1821), Ramsgate has a very solid feel to it - not surprising when you know it took seven decades to build. With large outer walls and an inner basin secured behind large lock gates, it is a well known "port of refuge". It has a great feel to it.
Other quirky facts include:
~ Up to 1840 the town had its own "mean time" which was 5 minutes ahead of Greenwich and used by many south coast skippers.
~ In 1938, a far sighted Town Mayor decided to build an air raid shelter under the cliffs, large enough to contain the entire town’s population.
~ Apprentices of the fishing smacks, some aged as young as ten years old lived in the curiously named "Home for Smack Boys" on quayside (photo 9).
Thank you for your time Robert and good luck with spending your £20 million of "levelling up" money you have secured for the port - amazing!
Ramsgate - A quirky Royal Harbour
As we sailed around this corner of Kent known as the "Isle of Thanet", the town harbours of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate glistened in the late afternoon sun.
The voice you hear on the VHF radio as you enter a harbour often reflects how it is managed. All boats calling Ramsgate Port Control used the word "Sir" in their transmissions and when I met Robert Brown the HM, it all made sense. He is one of those people you instantly respect and clearly this is passed down through his staff to all harbour users.
Robert had previously been a pilot (and flying instructor) of Hoverspeed hovercrafts (photo 10). Travelling at speeds up to 65 knots, these huge beasts had competed on the cross channel routes up until 2000 when the demise of heavily discounted "duty free" booze and cigarettes lead to their downfall. With careers in engineering, commerce and as "mate" on Stena Line ferries, Robert was well qualified to take over as HM of this busy port in 2009.
Britain's only "Royal Harbour" (decreed by King George IV in 1821), Ramsgate has a very solid feel to it - not surprising when you know it took seven decades to build. With large outer walls and an inner basin secured behind large lock gates, it is a well known "port of refuge". It has a great feel to it.
Other quirky facts include:
~ Up to 1840 the town had its own "mean time" which was 5 minutes ahead of Greenwich and used by many south coast skippers.
~ In 1938, a far sighted Town Mayor decided to build an air raid shelter under the cliffs, large enough to contain the entire town’s population.
~ Apprentices of the fishing smacks, some aged as young as ten years old lived in the curiously named "Home for Smack Boys" on quayside (photo 9).
Thank you for your time Robert and good luck with spending your £20 million of "levelling up" money you have secured for the port - amazing!