Alfred Corry Restoration

The restoration of the Alfred Corry

The work of restoration/conservation takes place on Wednesdays throughout the year, so for reasons of Health and Safety, the building is normally closed to the public on this day.

It is fortunate that the National Maritime Museum have the boat’s original plans on file, so that, having obtained copies, many parts of her original structure that have been removed or altered over the years can be re-created. Interestingly though, close examination of some remaining features in the boat reveal that the original builders (Messrs. Beechings) did not follow the drawings exactly.

The major part of the restoration has been ongoing since 1999 and is being carried out by unpaid volunteers, most of whom are retired.

Firstly there is Richard (Dick) Leon, a lifelong resident of Walberswick, who is a highly skilled carpenter. Though not trained as a boat-builder, he has previously built and repaired several boats, and his workmanship is second to none. Assisting him is John Cragie, great grandson of the first Coxswain of the “Alfred Corry”, who, as a retired Master Mariner, can turn his hand to many of the tasks required.

Since 2004 other volunteers have joined in the restoration, namely Mark Evershed, the late Ian White, Ron Remblance and Peter Shore, each bringing further expertise to bear. The result is that the work is now progressing faster than before.

Where metalwork has been required this has been carried out by others, including John Cragie’s sons:- Robert having made such fittings as steel thwart knees, dowsing beam brackets, washboard pins, stem and stern bands, rudder pintles and gudgeons and rowlock plates, while David has designed the relieving valves , and overseen the making of these by Metalfacture of Leicester, as well as producing copies of drawings and photographs, a number of which are on show in the Museum. Dennis Ball has also been invaluable in producing metalwork, such as adapting a number of bolts for fastening the fender frames, making a fine replica of the iron tiller, making up the copper sleeves for the through fender scuppers, and more recently has produced a full set of guard rope stanchions, as well as various smaller items of replica ironwork.

Much of the wood used in the restoration, namely Larch, Oak and Douglas Fir, has been supplied by Richard Murphy, of Sudbourne Hall Sawmill near Orford. As the dimensions of the wood are quoted as “finished sizes” he has been able to supply us with exactly the thickness required for this, and therefore avoided a lot of extra work and wastage. Where softwood has been used, this has come from local suppliers.

The current situation (September 2007) is that the bulk of the woodwork has been completed. The damaged hull planking has been replaced where necessary, all internal construction of ballast tanks, and “hold” for buoyancy cases has been built, and the Douglas fir decks have been laid on new deck beams. The long tedious job of constructing the fenders (waling) on both sides is finished and both sides have been covered with canvas and painted, Dowsing beams (mast supports) are fitted, and the plaques for the RNLI “crests” fitted to both bows.

Currently there are a number of less obvious tasks being carried out, such as the lining up and fitting of the stanchions, followed by fitting the guard ropes, building up coats of paint on the oars, fitting eyebolts for grab ropes and then the grab ropes themselves. Soon we will have other wood items to fit internally, such as the fore and mizen mast “jeers”, the fore sheet post in the centre of the boat as well as a number of small cleats and brackets.

No doubt there will be numerous other tasks to perform before we can call the job complete, and give the boat her final coats of paint, but we are getting there slowly.

John Cragie 24/09/07

Current state of the Alfred Corry, as at November 2007

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