Speaker meeting 17-Jun-10 Mr Jeremy Batch
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tn. Norman Ellenby introduced our speaker,
Jeremy Batch, as a lock keeper on the Limehouse Marina. Already known to most of us as he has pre- viously entertained and educated us with a speech on some of the waterways,
eremy started his speech by trying to come to grips with the microphone that unfortunately sounded
like a heart beep, but gave up after a while. Fortunately, he found that his voice carried the full length of the hall without the aid of a microphone, he then professionally set his watch for 2:20 pm to remind him when to stop which - much to the disappointment of most of those present - was not enough time, as without exception this part of the waterways speech was just as educational as the previous, if not better. Jeremy has an enormously wealth of information to share on ships & waterways, so much so that I feel sure he could return many times and on each occasion enlighten our knowledge with his wonderful way of explaining the past. He does it in a very professional way, with photo slides and stories that generate the feeling of actually being there when the events took place.
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he first story started with a photo taken in Dover in 1972, showing workmen digging a large hole to
install a sump and actually finding the remains of a boat that was found to date from around 1500BC - the oldest seagoing boat ever discovered in the world. It can now be seen in the museum in Dover.
photo of the marina where Jeremy works was shown, and he explained the importance of this area during the forthcoming Olympics.
oman ships were displayed on his screen, and explanations were given on
how they battery-rammed their enemy‟s boats and then with grappled them with a big spike which they engineered to drop down on the enemy, with a gangplank to finally board them. They also had round balls (like cannon balls) of various sizes that they catapulted and bombarded their enemy with. It is understood that the Romans did not like sea battles, evidenced in a scroll that was found titled “Battle of Actium dated 31BC “What have our wounds and swords done to displease Antony, that he should give his confidence to rotten timbers? Let Egyptians and Phoenicians contend at sea, give us the land, where we know well how to die
on the spot or gain the victory”. In other words, what are they doing at sea when they performed much more better on land? (Bit like some of our politicians today)
M
uch was explained about the old London Bridge and Portus Magnus, now known as
Southampton, and then Jeremy looked at his watch and said he will have to skip a few centuries to the Saxons and Vikings. However, this part of his speech explained a lot about our heritage and gave insight into our then barbaric ways, especially the payments to the Vikings to stop the plunder and rape, and how the heathen Danes in an armada of 350 ships landed near the Isle of Thanet and attacked Rochester and then London before moving into Mersey island in Essex and other parts of England. Thereafter, they stayed the winter and settled on the Isle of Thanet before they were finally outwitted by King Alfred, who stranded their ships up a river that Jeremy would like to explain more about in the future.
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ecause of lack of time Jeremy moved on very quickly though the ages of Henry the VIII and his
ships, especially the Mary Rose. Much was said about this subject but there is obviously not enough space here to print it all, so if you want to view the video then please do not hesitate to ask Colin Davies.
eremy finished with much explanation on Brunel and the Great Western of 1837, which was 235 ft
long, and was the longest ship in the world at that time. The “Mammoth” at 290 ft came next, a vessel later known as the "Great Britain". A photo was shown of this boat, which in itself is thought to be the very first photo of a ship ever taken.
hanks to our speaker were given by Rtn Ron Geggus who commented on the fascinating
speech last time and now again on this occasion. Ron apologised on the short time available during our lunch time meetings to cover such an interesting subject, and thanked Jeremy for his understanding. A thunderous applause was given by all members to show their appreciation.
H
opefully Jeremy will return again, especially as the writer of this article is so fond of all that is
associated with the sea, and perhaps very appropriately should write this story in Georges absence.
Photos & Story provided by Colin Davies
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