JP
-
The history of Bideford and the Torridge is inextricably linked to tides, which are dictated by the moon’s gravity. Early civilisations recognised the correlation between tides and the phase of the moon but could not accurately predict tidal behaviour. It was Eudoxus of Cnidus, an ancient Greek astronomer, who as early as 356 BCE explained…
-
In the summer of 1876, the first Plimsoll line, marking the maximum depth to which vessels can be loaded with cargo, appeared on the side of ships. It is now the 150th anniversary of this groundbreaking piece of legislation. In Victorian times it was common practice for many ship owners to deliberately overload vessels to maximise…
-
The shipyard at Appledore has new owners who plan a bright and secure future for the yard. The Spanish company, Navantia, purchased the site last year and have just started construction of the bow section of a new Fleet Support Ship for the Royal Navy. The Torridge has a long history of shipbuilding and building…
-
The late Peter Christie, who contributed so much to this newspaper over many years, was a longstanding advocate of reinstating the old railway line between Bideford and Westward Ho! as a footpath and cycleway. The Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore railway opened in 1901 but did not reach Appledore until 1908. It was built to…
-
Few people look upstream of Bideford Long Bridge and imagine industry and shipping. However, vessels transited up as far as Weare Gifford. The arches of Bideford Long Bridge dictated all activity upstream, even the size of the sea lock at Rolle Canal: the widest arch on the bridge is 20 feet and so is the…
-
As mentioned in an earlier column, Lundy was the first place in England to instal a standalone wind generator. The effect on island life and economy was unprecedented. Prior to wind power, electricity generation was limited to small generators based in the village, Old Light and the Castle. All the machines were controlled by time…
-
Continuing the story of the MS Oldenburg’s arrival in Bideford. The year is 1985; the ship has just arrived at Poole from Wilhelmshaven, in Germany. She had been having problems with her fuel filters, so on arrival, the crew cleaned out the fuel tanks. One foot of sludge was found, and it was evil smelling,…
-
The MS Oldenburg is a regular sight in Bideford, but how much is known about her history? She started out in 1958 as a Friesian Island cargo/passenger ferry operated by the German Railway Company Deutz Bundesbahn. She was very strongly built to withstand winter ice and able to carry an amazing 370 passengers. Her next role was…
-
Continuing our trip up the River Torridge, we start at Bideford Quay this time. The quay has developed over many years and used to be much closer to the buildings which line the road. Within recent memory, it was not unusual to see shops and pubs flooded on high tides. However, there is now a…
-
Continuing our trip up the River Torridge, we start at Bideford Quay this time. The quay has developed over many years and used to be much closer to the buildings which line the road. Within recent memory, it was not unusual to see shops and pubs flooded on high tides. However, there is now a…
Bideford and River Torridge Heritage Harbour 