PV Clacton Belle....from our Auto Home Page

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's....the snap below of the Clacton Belle...has me a little confused ....clearly she is going astern......but appears to have two steel cables at her stern in tension...or am I missing something....probably due to the lack of  ...Derek

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's.......well a member who clearly wants to remain ANON.......posted this PM..........


The message they sent was:

Another one of your "Lets generate some conversation" type posts Derek?   
Clearly she's sat in a strong current and being held by two wire hawsers, and it's the current that makes her appear to be going astern....

So  ..........this certainly could be the answer....by my rough calculation of paddle RPM x the wake of the paddle in apparent astern direction X the apparent tension in the two wire hawsers....[38 diameter x 38 wire elements of 2.02 diameter = 72.4 tonnes] astern force?

But  PD's ......you all know me better as our colleague Moritz  may come back & prove me wrong @ 68.72456123 tonnes - Derek

[Walter Snowdon]

 Hi folks, i think the simple answer is that she is being towed into a very tight harbour by the stern. What looks like paddles  going astern is the wash from stationary wheels. Most ships are notoriously bad at towing backwards, hence the two cables. My reasoning is the tension in the cables is caused by the deadweight and drag of the paddles. Regards, walter,
Further to the above, the picture also appeers on the front cover and fronticepiece of BELLES OF THE EAST COAST by PETER BOX. The caption states that she is entering the river YARE at GORLESTON shortly before the Great War. It also refers to the two new lifeboats at the stern to comply with the then new Board of Trade Regulations.
 i think she is being towed into a berth where she cannot turn around. Regards, walter.

[derekwarner_decoy]

OK PD's ....& thanks ANON & Walter..... the photograph does not suggest any phyisical limitations [of water] in the vessel turning...however the latter comment by Walter.........'fronticepiece of BELLES OF THE EAST COAST by PETER BOX.....certainly clarifies [this] my question.......Derek