www.isleofwightwss.org.uk iowwss iow wss world ship society isle of wight branch newport isle of wight meeting place for the isle of wight branch of the world ship society island ship club shipping club for ship enthusiasts ship spotters ship spotting ship club isle of wight shipping club isle of wight ship society ship societies isle of wight solent ship club solent shipping club solent ship societies world ship society watching ships from the isle of wight www.isleofwightwss.org.uk where to watch ships how to watch ships interested in ships shipping organisation located isle of wight location south coast solent ship club organisation information about ship clubs society website members ship club membership how to join the isle of wight ship club contact fellow shipping enthusiasts with an interest in maritime and nautical matters old books postcards ship photography club taking photos photographs of shipping in the solent southampton and portsmouth taking pictures of cruise ships and liners historic and modern day vessels maritime library available to members full program programme of events slide shows video shows social club meeting gathering near the sea to watch the ships in the solent library reference resource available to members who join publications available at reduced price classic liners and passenger vessels marine news journal of the world ship society passenger ship society south coast ship society future events an international society whose aim is to stimulate and maintain interest in ships and shipping throughout the world worldwide www.isleofwightwss.org.uk isle of wight clubs and societies photographing ships shipping movements southampton portsmouth and the solent maritime information
On Jan 24th 2008 the Branch's New Year programme commenced with Branch Secretary Tony Westmore showing a film of HMS MANCHESTER and the Malta convoys. The film gave an insight into the battle to keep Malta supplied with essential supplies and stores during the war, together with the ultimate loss of the cruiser after being hit by a torpedo. It included the subsequent search for the wreck and film evidence later obtained from it. After a short break Tony Richardson followed this with a digital presentation of nostalgic vessels from around the Solent area, from the 'photoship' website.
At the February 2008 meeting, the Branch Photographic competitions were held. The winner of the Douglas Brown Trophy for digitally projected images was David Williams with Navigator of the Seas (passenger class). Other class winners were Chris Bancroft (cargo, miscellaneous and nautical theme) and Brian Ash (tug). The Ray Sprake Memorial Trophy for prints was won by Ken Lowe with Tarnfors (cargo). Ken was also the winner of the passenger, tug and nautical theme classes, whilst Phillip Holmes won the miscellaneous section. Our thanks to Keith Walker for judging the competitions and
March 2008. Annual General meeting. Long standing chairman David Reed stepped down with Chris Bancroft now filling this position.
April 2008. The original program about Greek Ferries could not be shown. Instead there was a video presentation by Tony Richardson showing the arrival of the Ventura and the three Queens in port together followed by shipping in the Netherlands. It is intended to show the ferries at a later date, and the program will be re-arranged.
May 2008. There was a presentation by Chris Bancroft about the history of Trinity House buoy tenders and Pilotage Service. David (right) was presented with a painting by Tony Westmore of the VICTORIA at Capetown when she was on her 100th Centenery Cruise in 2000 by the IOW Branch Chairman Chris Bancroft in respect of the 10 years that David served as Chairman.
July 2008. Social Evening. Quiz organised by David Williams plus raffle and short video presentation by Tony Richardson showing a preview of the November programme.
Ship Visit July 30th 2008. Six Isle of Wight branch members along with four Southampton branch members had a visit to the car carrier Aida. They had a complete tour of the ship and included refreshments on the bridge.
June 2008. The Branch's Annual Evening boat cruise to Portsmouth, when a good turn out of members, friends and guests enjoyed the cruise, which coincided with the sailing of the Queen Mary 2. An exchange of a 'three blast' salute, from both vessels as we passed in Osborne Bay made it a memorable occasion. Two large container vessels were also seen in the Solent and time ashore at Portsmouth allowed for a pleasant evening to be had by all present. Chris Bancroft once again organised the cruise for us.
August 2008 - Visit to Yarmouth Lifeboat
September 2008 - Slide Presentation by John Cheverton of Isle of Wight piers and the ships that once used them.
October 2008 - Illustrated talk by David Burdett about the Royal Navy College at
November 2008 - A well attended meeting watched a video presentation by Tony Richardson of Southampton and Netherlands shipping. Click below to see the videos.
Antwerp Tugs and Voith Propulsion - Shows Antwerp Port Tugs at work - good tug sequence at the end
Southampton Tugs - shows the tugs of Svitzer Southampton
New Waterway - shows a sample of ship types on the New Waterway and at Europort
Southampton Container Ships - shows the arrival and departure of ships from the Southampton Container Terminal
December - £40 was raised from the raffle and a wide range of refreshments were available. There were slide shows presented by Colin Elvers and Chris Bancroft and a short video about shipping on the Ghent Canal and an illustrated talk about AIS by Tony Richardson.
January - Photo Competition
Competition Winners:
PRINTS
Class 1 - Passenger Vessels - QUEEN MARY 2 - Ken Lowe
Class 2 - Cargo Vessels - KREBI - Chris Bancroft
Class 3 - Tugs - BENTLEY - Chris Bancroft
Class 4 - Miscellaneous - Pilot Launch in rough seas - Colin Elvers
Class 5 - Maritime Related - Trevose Head - Colin Elvers
Print Overall Winner - Pilot launch in rough seas - Colin Elvers (this competition judged and voted by members present)
DIGITAL IMAGES
Class 1 - Passenger Vessels - QUEEN VICTORIA - David Williams
Class 2 - Tugs - JULIA S - Chris Bancroft
Class 3 - Miscellaneous - Pilot launch SOVEREIGN BAY - Chris Bancroft
Class 4 - Cargo - RUILOBA - Chris Bancroft
Class 5 - Nautical Theme - Engine Room Telegraph - David Williams
Digital Image - Overall Winner Tug JULIA S - Chris Bancroft (Ajudication for this competition carried out by Keith Walker)
February 2009 - A slide show and talk by Wayne Pritchett (Newport Harbour Master) about the history of Newport Harbour, the ships and the people who worked there.
March 2009 - AGM plus short video on ships in rough seas by Tony Richardson and a presentation of ships seen on a recent cruise on the Grand Princess by Chris Bancroft. Malcom Golder stood down as treasurer and was presented a painting of the coaster Vectis Isle.
The election of officers:
Chairman - Chris Bancroft
Vice-chairman - David Williams
Secretary - Tony Westmore
Treasurer - Brian Ash
Visit Secretary - John Cheverton
Newsletter Editor - John Cheverton
Auditors - John Cheverton & Ken Lowe
Committee - Keith Walker, Phil Holmes and Peter Clark (guest members' representative)
The April 23rd meeting was the members night and several people contributed giving talk/presentations on : The trials of the old Oriana, Greek Ferries, old scenes on the Suez Canal and ships on the river Scheldt.
The June 25th was the annual boat trip to see shipping in the Solent and Southampton. Many ships were seen including the Queen Mary 2, Norwegian Jade and Crown Princess.
It was decided by the members present at the May meeting to opt to move to the Riverside Centre, Newport Quay as from the September meeting on the 24th @ 7pm. The meeting will be in the Hunnyhill Room where the speaker for the night is Allan Ryszaka-Onions from the Southampton Branch who will give a Powerpoint presentation on Polish Shipping.
CHANGE OF VENUE
DONT FORGET CHANGE OF VENUE FOR SEPTEMBER AT THE RIVERSIDE CENTRE