Battersea

[Bob S]

Remember these? The flatiron colliers or “Flatties” use to transport coal to the power stations and gas works upriver above London’s bridges.

Central Electricity Generating Board’s “Flatiron” BATTERSEA (51/1777) on the River Thames passing the lock entrance to the Royal Dock’s

[Tinkerboy]

Yes I remember the Flatirons, I sailed on one but it was not a CEA one, I think it belonged to Cories, it would be around 1957, she was qhe bridge had to be dropped down by hand to clear the bridges, I think we might have gone to Fulham, not sure, wasn't on it long.

[BillH]

Remember these? The flatiron colliers or “Flatties” use to transport coal to the power stations and gas works upriver above London’s bridges.

Central Electricity Generating Board’s “Flatiron” BATTERSEA (51/1777) on the River Thames passing the lock entrance to the Royal Dock’s
For those interested, the World Ship Society in 1984 published a book "Gas and Electricity Colliers" by D. Ridley Chesterton and R.S.Fenton ISBN 0 905617 33 9.
A5 size 120 pages with illustrations it covers the numerous gas and electricity companies and their fleet details.

[monty]

Yes I remember the Flatirons, I sailed on one but it was not a CEA one, I think it belonged to Cories, it would be around 1957, she was qhe bridge had to be dropped down by hand to clear the bridges, I think we might have gone to Fulham, not sure, wasn't on it long.

I don't think Cory's had any flatties Tinkerboy. Could have been Stephenson Clarke, or North Thames Gas. Monty

[Jacktar1]

Happy memories of the time I served as 2nd mate on the "Dame Caroline Haslett", Barry or Dunston to either Battersea or Fulham power stations.
Great ship & good feeder. Cheers...Glan

[jrell]

I sailed as Mate on the battersea in 1979 and enjoyed my few months going between the north east coast and Battersea Station before taking up my job as Operations Manager inthe Port of Sunderland. I saw the Battersea a few times in the port and went on board when it was laid up in Sunderland. It was renamed the Granville and went to Ireland to load scrap, after loading and on its way to Spain it sadley sank in the Irish sea. A sad end to a nice ship.

[Ivor Lloyd]

I spent many months as R/O on Blackwall Point
Barry to Battersea

Ivor

[caseman]

I was on two of the 'submarine' flatties ... the 'Brimsdown/MFTB' and the 'Sir Alexander Kennedy/GZDZ'. Well remember the 'staithes' at Newcastle, Dunston, Derwenthaugh, Tyne Dock, Methil, Seaham and Jarrow for the power stations at Fulham, Battersea, Woolwich, Blackwell Point and Northfleet. They were busy but happy ships, always on the go, often sheltering when the weather turned dire

Would love to get images of them even though I have 1/1250 models of all the 13 ships I sailed on, made my a superb modelmaker with whom I used to 'barter' glass showcases when we ran our own case business as DSC Showcases (dscshowcases.co.uk). Some of them cost over £400 at the time.

Regards
David/G4CMQ

[peter drake]

Any photos of the models David?
Pete

[caseman]

Any photos of the models David?
Pete

Will get them done soon Peter. Watch this space (Jester)

[david best]

Did a short trip on the flatiron Tarring in August 1981. Joined in Belfast discharging grain from Rouen.Cleaned out and loaded coal at Whitehaven for Limerick.Them Llandulas to load stone for Ghent, cleaned out at Flushing and loaded coal **** from Dunkirk for Belfast.

[martinallison]

I spent the late 70ies and early 80ies tramping round nw europe including the west coast of Ireland on the Climping and the Tarring both ex Gas board Flatties. I was once offered a free ride back to the station by a taxi driver in Plymouth when I told him our destination was Limmerick.

[janbonde]

blue moon

[7woodlane]

Remember the flatties well. Sailed on mv Blackwall Point, sistership to the Battersea, also as the R/O.

[cassas]

Sailed on the SS Tyndall an ancient Flattie in 1955 Mostly Grimsby to Battersea with the occasional trip to Dunkirk. Hard to get off as being in Port most of the time never had any money, Every time the Funnel was pulled down the galley got covered in soot.In my log it says it was owned by C.E.A. Registered in London cassas

[Burned Toast]

I don't think Cory's had any flatties Tinkerboy. Could have been Stephenson Clarke, or North Thames Gas. Monty

NTGB -CEGB -SEGB those were the only flatty ships companies that I can remember. First two managed by Stevie Clarke's.

Ray(Read)

[A.D.FROST]

Yes I remember the Flatirons, I sailed on one but it was not a CEA one, I think it belonged to Cories, it would be around 1957, she was qhe bridge had to be dropped down by hand to clear the bridges, I think we might have gone to Fulham, not sure, wasn't on it long.

The bridge wasn't lowered, only the older "Flaties" the funnel and masts were.Thats why they were called "Flaties"or it could of been a"BOW" Boat (must be bad if you can't tell the differance between Stones and Coal)(Sad)

[trotterdotpom]

Harry Richardson's funnel and whatnot were folded down as far as I recall.

John T

[A.D.FROST]

Harry Richardson's funnel and whatnot were folded down as far as I recall.

John T

HARRY RICHARDSON'50 was motor-ship so could not have had a fold down funnel(short stubbie funnel)only the steamers had tall funnels that were lowered(?HUH)

[trotterdotpom]

Sorry AD, I just checked some photos in the gallery and you're correct. My memory playing tricks, it must have been just the masts that came down.

John T

[gretaston]

HARRY RICHARDSON'50 was motor-ship so could not have had a fold down funnel(short stubbie funnel)only the steamers had tall funnels that were lowered(?HUH)

A useless bit of information but my father was dky/greaser on this ship in 1950, also two others carrying coal from barry to the london power stations,
(1) SIR JOSEPH SWAN (2) BRENT KNOLL.
Regards, Gretaston.

[ninabaker]

I remember these so well from my childhood. I was raised in this row of old houses (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=108+Grosvenor+Road,+London&hl=en&ll=51.484784,-0.141481&spn=0.003828,0.008272&sll=51.485385,-0.141344&hnear=108+Grosvenor+Rd,+London+SW1V+3LG,+United+Ki ngdom&t=h&z=17)directly opposite Battersea Power station and watched the flatirons coming and going for years from my bedroom window.

Not the most romantic of ships, but ships nevertheless and therefore of great interest as i was besotted with anything to do with ships, leading inevitably to my ambition to go to sea.