Description

South West Maritime History Society has designed a programme of illustrated talks to complement Exeter’s Heritage Harbour celebrations on 9th June

The talks (which are free) will be held at the Haven Banks Centre, opposite the Basin.  Seats are available on a first come first served basis.  There will be time between talks for guests to come and go.

11.30-12.30 pm:            Brunel’s Atmospheric Caper along the Exeter-Plymouth railway 

The rationale for adopting atmospheric power vs mobile steam engines (what we now know as trains!) on the Exeter to Plymouth railway (as far as Totnes); its subsequent rejection by the railway community; and its impact on Brunel’s reputation.

Ilustrated with origninal watercolours from the time (1847) by William Dawson.

 

 

1.30-2.15pm:                  Not plain sailing: the lives of the Bargees on the Stover Canal

John Ellis, of the Stover Canal Trust will include social aspects of transportation along the Teign, including impact of war, the use of navvies inc housing and crime. Although reference is made to the origins in 1790, the emphasis will be from 1860 onwards, and comparisons will be drawn between Stover bargees and Exeter Ship Canal bargees

 

 

2.30-3.15 pm                Horse power vs Steam power on the Exeter Ship Canal: 1830-1930

Steam powered tugs were widely used in British ports from the 1830s, so why were ships still being towed along the Exeter Ship Canal in 1920?  Jonathan Turner, Chair of South West Maritime History Society, will tell the story of the men, women and horses who kept steam powered tugs at bay for 100 years

 

 

3.30-4.15 pm                  Follow your Noses: Fish, Tallow, and Beer along the 1920s waterfront

Dr Julia Neville, Project Manager for Devon in the 1920s, presents her research on the businesses around the Exeter Quay and the people who lived and worked there in the 1920s.

 

 

 

 

The talks are free, and will be held in the Haven Banks centre, with a break in between each talk of 15 mins.