Simplon - The Passenger Ship Website - www.simplonpc.co.uk
Simplon Home - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Recent Updates - Search - Copyright information - Contact Simplon - Contact Waverley & Balmoral
This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation - There are no postcards or photos for sale on this website



Balmoral
Waverley Steam Navigation

IMO number: 5034927 - Name of ship: BALMORAL - Call Sign: MDMZ - Gross tonnage: 735
Type of ship: Passenger Ship - Year of build: 1949 - Flag: United Kingdom

This page shows images from the Balmoral cruise from Clacton to Southwold and Great Yarmouth on 7th July 2009. To sail on Balmoral contact:- www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk

Balmoral had left Tilbury at 1000 and called at Southend at 1130. She arrived at Clacton at 1400 where passengers from Tilbury had to disembark for a coach return unless they made their own way back to Tilbury. It was announced before departure for Southwold that berthing at Southwold Pier might be difficult and that Balmoral would continue to Great Yarmouth if necessary. The weather had been sunny in Clacton all morning, but a heavy shower as Balmoral arrived was followed by cloudy skies and occasional heavy showers for most of the journey until our arrival off Great Yarmouth.

As Balmoral approached the Rough Tower off Felixstowe, an RAF Sea King rescue helicopter approached. The after decks were cleared of passengers and the helicopter crew performed an exercise where a crew member was winched down to the Balmoral and then recovered. Heavy rain was falling at the time plus a lot of spray was blown up by the helicopters rotors. This is visible in the linked larger images.

Balmoral arrived off Southwold just after 1700, and the sea was reasonably calm. As she approached the pier, the swell became worse and Balmoral began to move a lot more. Three ropes were put ashore but Balmoral's vertical movement against the pier made using the gangway unsafe. The forward bow rope then parted, and Balmoral quickly dropped the other two ropes and reversed rapidly out to sea, She then made for Great Yarmouth to where coaches were diverted to return passengers to Clacton and Southend.


Sections on this Page:-
Clacton
RAF Sea King Helicopter
Rough Tower
Southwold
Great Yarmouth

Balmoral Pages:-
www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk - Official Website
Balmoral Postcards - Under Construction
Balmoral Photos Prior to 2006
Balmoral Photos - 2006: Thames 1: June 8th 2006 - Rye-Tower Pier
Balmoral Photos - 2006: Thames 2: June 20th 2006 - Tilbury-Clacton-Harwich
Balmoral Photos - 2006: Thames 3: June 22nd 2006 - Brightlingsea
Balmoral Photos - 2006: Thames 4: June 29th 2006 - Tilbury-Whitstable-Tilbury
Balmoral Photos - 2007: Thames 1: June 26th 2007 - Clacton-Southwold-Great Yarmouth
Balmoral Photos - 2007: Thames 2: June 29th 2007 - Tilbury
Balmoral Photos - 2007: Thames 3: July 3rd 2007 - Ipswich-Harwich-Brightlingsea
Balmoral Photos - 2007: Thames 4: July 5th/6th 2007 - Whitstable, Tilbury
Balmoral Photos - 2007: Thames 5: July 9th 2007 - Tower Bridge & Tower Pier, London
Balmoral Photos - 2007: Thames 6: July 10th 2007 - Tilbury-Southend-Rye
Balmoral Photos - 2009: Thames 1: July 7th 2009 - Clacton-Southwold-Great Yarmouth

Associated Pages:-
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards

Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page

Search This Website:-





Balmoral Cruise 07/07/2009
Waverley Steam Navigation


IMO number: 5034927 - Name of ship: BALMORAL - Call Sign: MDMZ - Gross tonnage: 735
Type of ship: Passenger Ship - Year of build: 1949 - Flag: United Kingdom




Clacton

This page shows images from the Balmoral cruise from Clacton to Southwold on 7th July 2009. Balmoral had left Tilbury at 1000 and called at Southend at 1130. She arrived at Clacton at 1400 where passengers from Tilbury had to disembark for a coach return unless they made their own way back to Tilbury. It was announced before departure for Southwold that berthing at Southwold Pier might be difficult and that Balmoral would continue to Great Yarmouth if necessary.


Balmoral arriving at Clacton Pier in poor weather
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009





RAF Sea King

As Balmoral approached the Rough Tower off Felixstowe, an RAF Sea King rescue helicopter approached. The after decks were cleared of passengers and the helicopter crew performed an exercise where a crew member was winched down to the Balmoral and then recovered. Heavy rain was falling at the time plus a lot of spray was blown up by the helicopters rotors. This is visible in the linked larger images.



RAF Sea King helicopter approaching in heavy rain
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



RAF Sea King helicopter
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



RAF Sea King helicopter
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



RAF Sea King helicopter
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



RAF Sea King helicopter
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



RAF Sea King helicopter winching crew member
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



RAF Sea King helicopter departing after the exercise
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



RAF Sea King helicopter departing after the exercise
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



RAF Sea King helicopter departing after the exercise
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009





Rough Tower - HM Fort Roughs

HM Fort Roughs was one of several World War II installations that were designed by Guy Maunsell and were known collectively as His Majesty's Forts or as Maunsell Sea Forts. Its purpose was to guard the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe, Essex. The naval fort is situated on Rough Sands, a sandbar located approximately six miles from the coast of Suffolk and eight miles from the coast of Essex. It is now referred to as Rough Tower by Trinity House.

Fort Roughs was constructed in 1942. It comprised a floating pontoon base with a superstructure of two hollow towers joined by a deck upon which other structures could be added. The pontoon was reinforced concrete measuring 168 by 88 feet. The fort was topped by a gun deck, an upper deck and a central tower unit which housed the radar equipment. The twin towers were divided into seven floors that provided dining and sleeping accommodation and storage areas for generators and munitions. There was a steel framework at one end supporting a landing jetty and crane which was used to hoist supplies aboard. Electricity needs were met by several generators.

On 11 February 1943 the fort was towed by three tugs to a location on Rough Sands where its base was intentionally flooded so that it sank to a resting place on the sandbar. At that time Rough Sands were situated in international waters. Approximately 100 men were assigned to the barge before deployment on Rough Sands, and the facility was occupied by 150-300 Royal Navy personnel throughout WWII. At the conclusion of hostilities all original personnel were evacuated from HMS Fort Rough. The armament consisted of 3.75 inch AA guns and Bofors 40 mm guns - the standard medium and light anti-aircraft weaponry of the British and Commonwealth forces. After the war, the fort remained in operation until 1956 when all full-time personnel were finally removed. Rough Tower remained identified by name on buoys placed in position by the Ministry of Defence which are maintained under an arrangement with Trinity House (history from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Fort_Roughs).

It later became a self-proclaimed, unrecognised state called the Principality of Sealand.



Rough Tower - originally HM Fort Roughs and the Rough Tower SE buoy
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Rough Tower - originally HM Fort Roughs
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Rough Tower - originally HM Fort Roughs
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009





Southwold

Balmoral arrived off Southwold just after 1700, and the sea was reasonably calm. As she approached the pier, the swell became worse and Balmoral began to move a lot more. Three ropes were put ashore but Balmoral's vertical movement against the pier made using the gangway unsafe. The forward bow rope then parted, and Balmoral quickly dropped the other two ropes and reversed rapidly out to sea, She then made for Great Yarmouth to where coaches were diverted to return passengers to Clacton and Southend.



Southwold - the lighthouse
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Southwold Pier Head
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Briefly alongside Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Reversing away from Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Reversing away from Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Reversing away from Southwold Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009





Great Yarmouth

Balmoral arrived off Great Yarmouth at 1830 and took on the pilot before entering the harbour, by which time the weather had finally improved. She berthed at the historic Town Quay at 1900.



Great Yarmouth Pilot off Great Yarmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Great Yarmouth Pilot off Great Yarmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



The breakwaters for the new deep water port at Great Yarmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



The entrance to the river port at Yarmouth - the River Yare at Gorleston
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



The North and South Piers at the entrance to the river port - the River Yare at Gorleston
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



The North and South Piers at the entrance to the river port - the River Yare at Gorleston
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



The North and South Piers at the entrance to the river port - the River Yare at Gorleston
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



The historic Town Quay at Great Yarmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Balmoral at Great Yarmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009



Balmoral at Great Yarmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th July 2009

MV Balmoral Cruise - 7th July 2009







Harold Jordan - New and Old Shipping Postcards for Sale - www.hjcards.co.ukOcean Liner Society - www.ocean-liner-society.comCarmania Press - Quality Passenger Shipping Books -  www.carmaniapress.co.ukThe Liquid Highway - River Thames Website - www.riverthames.co.nrWillem Johan Hoendervanger - Superb Maritime Paintings - www.wjmaritiem.nlOverview Press - www.overviewpress.co.uk - Specialist Passenger Shipping BooksMike Louagie - Fantastic Maritime Photographer - www.louagie.beMaritime Photographic - Superb Shipping Photography - www.maritimephotographic.co.ukCOASTAL CRUISING ASSOCIATION - www.cruisingmonthly.comFerry Publications - www.ferrypubs.co.uk - Leading European Publisher of Ferry BooksNATIONAL HISTORIC SHIPS REGISTER - www.nationalhistoricships.org.ukWORLD SHIP SOCIETY - worldshipsociety.orgShippax - Ship Information, Databases, Publications, Magazines - www.shippax.seNautiques - Your gateway to the rich past of ocean liner nautical antiques - www.nautiques.netMarius Bar - Historic and new photos from long established French photographers - www.mariusbar-photo.comPADDLE STEAMERS - A Unique Heritage - www.heritagesteamers.co.ukDonAnd Maritime - www.donandmaritime.com - Cruise & Ferry News and CollectablesSeapixonline - Image GalleryGORDON HISLIP - Irish Sea Photography - www.gordonhislip.comOld and New Postcards for Sale - www.raeth.chJOHN EAGLE PHOTOGRAPHY - johneaglephotograpy.comShips Monthly - Shipping Magazine - www.shipsmonthly.comRisawoleska - 1:1250 Ship Models - www.risawoleska.comMaritime Images - Poole Images - www.maritimeimages.co.ukP&O HERITAGE - Official P&O Heritage Website - www.poheritage.comMaritime Matters - www.maritimematters.com

Simplon Home Page - The Passenger Ship Website - www.simplonpc.cco.uk

 
©1999-2010 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site)
All Rights Reserved


Free Web Counter
Times viewed since 05/08/2009: