Having filled in umpteen forms, endured what felt like the Spanish Inquisition, and assured the librarians that I had no
Liquids or pens, I finally got my mitts on the Beta III file.

Ironically the file itself looked like it had been in a fire with a very yellowed, slightly scorched appearance. Inside, there was a chronologically arranged set of papers relating to the boat, mostly typewritten, paper thin correspondence.

Letters were mainly notes and records from the fire authority or messages to suppliers covered in spidery handwriting.

These were the days of earnest correspondence on elaborately headed paper to request quotes or spare parts rather than one click on amazon and next day delivery. I can report that tender documents in the 1930s were are boring then as they are today.

There were some documents and letters relating to the decision to commission the Beta III from Merryweather & sons of Greenwich and some detail about specifications. I found a few technical drawings and some rough sketches of individual parts but nothing really in the way floor plans or comprehensive drawings.

Rather pleasingly there were some press cuttings about the boat and her specifications dating from around the time of the launch. More of these later.

Beta III has been rechristened Betty. Helps to remind me to refer to the boat as a “she” and also stops the unanswered question about what happened to Betas I and II.

Yesterday, Betty received the KSJ glamour shot treatment. Armed with an iphone alone, little sis is able to roll any turd in glitter and – through the magic of filters and something called tilt shift – can make this hunk of junk look rather industrially charming.

So it still looks like it would give you tetanus. But you have to admit there is a certain charm, right?

The first job on the long long long list of jobs is to get Beta III out of the water. This has been both much easier than I had feared and much harder. But, in both cases, not for the reasons I had thought.

It turns out that people hoik mega boats out of the water all the time and cranes, people and know how all exist to do this. Hiring a 150 tonne crane and a mega lorry is actually easier than hiring your common or garden rental car. No driving licence required. Slightly worryingly for anyone who has seen me park, they even let you manage the lift yourself…. left a bit…. I mean, right a bit…. oh shit…

What I hadn’t anticipated is bloody mother nature. The area where Beta III is moored is tidal which means that she can only be moved at a high tide over 3.6 metres. Preferably nearer 4 metres as they need to get the strops under (more on strops later).

This only really happens twice a month. So, in a feat of logistical gymnastics, I need to hire the crane for a high tide day and get a 1950s engine to work and the boat to the wharf in time for it to be lifted. If I miss the tide or the engine fails, I have to pay for a mega bucks crane I never used while the boat stays in the water another month….

The boat here shows the 500 metres or so that it has to be moved. Looks close but I am sure that it will seem like a marathon.

UPDATE: some further advice from Ms F:
“PS. Low pressure systems, wind and rain also effect tides (especially if you’re in an estuary rather than on the coast properly). The book only predicts the effect of moon and sun. Worth bearing in mind if you’re planning on cutting it fine…”

So my buddy and fellow research geek Naomi (www.researchroots.co.uk) has uncovered some Pathe film clips. These may – or may not – include some footage of Beta III.

Of the three, this clip looks most likely to be her:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/2-400-gallons-a-minute/query/fire+boat

She was launched in 1926 and the clip is dated 1925 which puts a bit of a question mark over it.

Now, Neil, the previous owner (key advisor and originator of the Beta III dream) has suggested that he will be able to work out if it is her…. so over to you Neil…. Let me know your verdict.

The other two related clips are below:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/testing-fire-float/query/fire+boat
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/fire-float-takes-a-ride/query/fire+boat

This is the first applicant.

Doesn’t she look impressed with her new lavender life jacket??

My name is Helen and I am a shopaholic. I thrive on the frisson of pushing open the door at Liberty (or even Lidl), stalking my prey up and down the aisles, stroking the potential purchase longingly before it is tissue wrapped and I march out triumphant. Convinced either that I am definitely worth it or that I have snagged a sale of the century bargain.

And to add to this, I have the ability to shop in almost any category. From hardware shops to book stores to the garden centre, I am pretty sure I can find something to buy in pretty much any shop in any location and, if not on the high street, I also consider myself the Queen of eBay (life-sized brass deer anyone?).

Now this boat business opens up a whole new genre of potential purchases.  I will hold my hand up to already having the breton sweater and boating shoes side of things well and truly nailed, but the interior of the ship is a whole other proposition. I can definitely do vintage. But can I do vintage boat fixtures and fittings?

Turns out Trinity Marine (http://www.trinitymarine.co.uk/) is the place to go for the architectural antiques of the water. A little spendy, as fully cleaned up salvaged goodies are wont to be, but good for ideas and terminology nonetheless.

Initially I got a little distracted in my search…

Never knew you needed a jet fighter pilot seat in your living room now did you?

But I soon refocussed and hit upon an absolute gem. Below is a playing card showing one of the monitors – water cannons – on board Beta III.

They are no longer on the boat however you can still see the marks on the deck where they would have originally stood.

Well, turns out that at Trinity Marine they are still in stock…

 

 BRASS SHIPS FIRE-FIGHTING TUG DECK-GUN

They look just like a higher end photo and I imagine they would pretty much be the perfect size.

The downside? That is GBP 420 of water cannon you are looking at. Sigh. Maybe next time. Gives a whole other interpretation to the idea of pissing your money away!

In a past life research was my thing. So time to put my money where my mouth is and do a bit of ye olde historical research.

As a former fire boat, there is bound to be some file on Beta III somewhere… and, low and behold, the National Archives say that the London Metropolitan Archives have a file. Excellent.

LCC/FB/GEN/3/44

LCC/FB/GEN/3/45 – this seems to be the main file.

They are literally a stones throw from my house.

Naomi – any other hints or tips about where to look?

Another reason to visit Rye, boats aside – the most sublime hot chocolate served here http://www.knoops.co.uk by – I think – a genuine Swiss chap. The Swiss know their dairy products. They can even flavour it with sea salt or chilli. Be still my beating heart.

As I mentioned, its all about POTENTIAL. Look past the rust, the crappy patchwork of paintwork, and the god damned awful greenhouse/conservatory/shipping container thing on top. Squint and you can see a 1920s gentleman sloop crossed with an art deco styled ocean liner… right. Right?

Yeah, right. There is however a good sense of space – the top space is 13ft by 40ft – with great light. And, admittedly, also a great breeze whistling in from all angles.

The picture below is taken up towards the stern. The original ladders are still – mostly – in place meaning the deck effectively steps across two different levels. The hatchy bit leading below deck (must learn the right term here) is original and can be seen in the vintage photos. The portholes to the sides are not and form part of this weird superstructure that was tacked on top to make it her (also must remember this) a sightseeing cruiser in the 1960s.

The opposite view towards the bow is below. Note the doormat.

That is pretty much it for photos of the inside. There is not much, if any, natural light below deck so pretty hard to photograph anything apart from the engine. More of that later.