On the trail of A.L. Braithwaite.

Broads boats rarely take you to the M25.  Yet, here I am. My ancient Land Rover rattles and drones away as I’m buffeted by passing lorries. 

I hate the M25.  Neither me or the Land Rover are designed for the M25.  

Put yourself in a skip. Fill it with some wasps, a strong smell of burning Oil and a diesel generator. That’s life in a Series on a motorway. Oh, and kick the skip off a cliff, whilst inside for authenticity.

I’m heading to Hampshire, and I’m about 100 miles away.  My destination will be a small village tucked away just outside the western end of the Solent.  It’s here, at Milford on Sea that A.L. Braithwaite, designer at Chumley & Hawke spent his final years. 

He came to Horning in 1930, and set up at C&H.  His designs for the hire-fleet were mostly drawn in the 1930’s and included ‘Clippers’, The Brown Elf & Imp classes, Viking and Privateer.  All corresponded with the metacentric shelf principle, and to my knowledge most survive. Certainly all 6 Clippers made it, which is unusual, I only know of one other hire boat class which has survived extant, the legendary ‘Sabrina’s’. 

From tracing A.L Braithwaites ancestry – I had learnt that his grave is located at ‘All Saints’ in Milford.  I also knew his probate had revealed his final estate, in Milford on Sea.  

So – I arrive at Milford, it’s hot.  I’m hot. It’s been loud, at a steady 50mph.  

But.  I’m here to collect a series of artifacts that belonged to A.L Braithwaite.  Yes. Somehow two weeks ago, having arrived here, I found the grave, which I photographed.  Then to be honest I just contemplated things.

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I thanked him.  I thanked him for having the insight to draw such pretty boats, and I hoped that he knew how much pleasure his boats had given people.  Not just me, but the previous owners of ‘Corsair’ as well. She was, and is held very dear in the hearts of those lucky enough to own her. 

But.  Enough.  Whilst mulling over everything I decided to head toward A.L. Braithwaites last known address, in Milford.  I knew it had been derelict for some time, and I knew that I might, might just get a photograph.  

Pulling up, I noticed a phone-number for delivery, so I took a chance and rung it.  Within seconds I was speaking with Simon. Simon owns A.L. Braithwaites house now, and somewhat bemused invited me down to meet him. 

About an hour later, having had the thorough tour of the house and the grounds – I’d explained myself, and why I was here.  Simon was thrilled. I was thrilled. Somehow a collective interest had put us in the same place at the same time.

Over 200 miles from home, I’d genuinely thought that the grave side would be the finality of my research.  Somewhat grounding really. Suddenly there’s the end, and I had felt very mixed.

But.  Having spoken with Simon for about 1 ½ hours now. I commented on how it was such a shame that in 2009 Joan Braithwaite had moved out of the house, and if I had been quicker, I’dve met her. 

Then came a ‘source of the Nile’ moment…  Simon paused, and asked me if I wanted to see inside of the Old Mill.  Which we opened up.

Almost immediately I began to sift through some of A.L. Braithwaites old reference books… Some of his paintings, and incredibly a photograph of Khala Nag!  To my knowledge, this is the only photograph of her left in the world.  

I also found some lines drawings, and the most breath-taking of all. I found his design notebook! Including notes of his response to an R.I.N.A paper on metacentric hull theory, and some of his calculations for at least two designs. ‘Khala Nag’ and ‘Redwings’.

Here was something real, something that definitively linked me with the thought processes that lead to my boat.

There was so much!  It was dumb-founding.  Here I was, holding belongings of the designer of my boat.  I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t to be honest.

Now, I will write fully about this. I promise. I can’t not, not really. But I’m going to finish by saying I give my heartfelt thanks to Simon and Amy Davies, without whom none of this would be possible.

It’s not often I use this word. But what I’ve found is irreplaceable. Especially given that in amongst the wreckage (literally) was the remnants of a Blakes Model.

For those of you not familiar with this. Blakes the hire boat agency used to use large scale models as advertising material in the 1930’s and 1940’s. You could report to their offices, and see a miniature version of whatever boat you’d hire.

Now, call me a lucky S.O.B. – I certainly have. The wreckage I found, which Amy had miraculously saved… It’s the Blakes model, or Builders model of a ‘Clipper’. ‘Corsair’ was built as ‘Clipper Vi’.

I now own her builders model.