Bill's Model Boats
Bill Ellis made replicas of boats built in the Wivenhoe yards
Peter Hill
Bill Ellis who sadly passed away in 2012 but during his life here in Wivenhoe made a number of replicas of boats built in Wivenhoe shipyards. Here are a few examples of them with notes given to me by Bill.
STEAM STERN PADDLE WHEEL RIVER GUNBOAT ” EL FATEH‘
Built at Wivenhoe Shipyard in 1896 by Forrestt & Co. Ltd., together with 2 sister ships for the Kitchener Nile expedition against the forces of the Mahdi in the Sudan.
DIMENSIONS:
Length on deck 140′
Beam: 24′
Draft: (when fully loaded with guns and stores) 2’6″
ARMAMENT:
1 x 12 pounder Q.F. Gun
2 x 6 pounder Q.F. guns
1 x Nordenfeldt Howitzer
2 x Batteries of Maxim guns
The vessel was equipped with electricity and searchlight.
With her sisters, ‘El Fateh’ was built in sections of steel and fitted with water tight bulkheads. Shipped to Alexandria in sections, the ships were transported up the Nile to Assouan where they were reassembled for action.
‘EL FATEH’ was commanded on the Nile by Lt. David Beatty R.N. later better known as Admiral Earl Beatty, commander of the Battle Cruisers at the Battle of Jutland.
The H.M.T. “WILLIAM FALL” a Strath” Class Admiralty Trawler
Built 1918 at WIVENHOE Shipyard by RENNIE FORRESTT SHIPBUILDING, ENGINEERING & DRYDOCK COMPANY Ltd.,
Yard Number 1311 ( O.N. 143805)
Vessel Dimensions:
L.O.A. 123″
BREADTH 22′
DRAFT 9’6″
203 tons.
Steam Engine by A.G.MUMFORD Ltd., Colchester
Armament: 1 x 12 pounder gun
2 x .303 Lewis Machine guns.
Depth Charges.
1920 Vessel sold to East Hull Steam Trawling Co Ltd., and renamed ‘Avondale’ (H 166).
1934 – Vessel sold to J.W.Tomlinson of Hull
1954 – Vessel scrapped.
Note: All the ‘Strath’ Class Trawlers built were named after Officers and men who served aboard ‘Victory’ and ‘Royal Sovereign’ at the Battle of Trafalgar, See also this page about the William Fall – click here.
The Submarine Volta
The experimental submarine Volta designed by A. Hiliard Atteridge and built by Forrests in 1905. It was powered by a number of batteries that powered two electric motors. It had a crew of 3 people and could manage 8 knots in speed. its range however was only about 40 miles before the batteries needed re-charging. For more about the Volta – click here
HMS Wiston
One of three ‘ton boats minesweepers built in Wivenhoe. She was ordered on 19th February 1955 and completed on 17th February 1960. Sister vessels were the Calton and the Northampton.
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