I was so lucky to be able to witness the unloading of a supply vessel during my stay on Norfolk - these photos are quite precious as it is unknown how long this age-old way will continue. (Changes are afoot.) Just recently a boatman went overboard and was dragged under and only due to the strength and skill of his buddy was he quite literally yanked from the treacherous sea. The motorboat launch skillfully tugs the 'lighter' from the pier to the cargo ship, and back again once loaded. But its the skill of the launch pilot and the lighter crew that gets them through the swells and currents which threaten to land them on the rocky outcrops and reef which sit menacingly between the pier and the cargo ship. These are no-nonsense, strong, hardy men whose skills have mostly been passed down through the generations. The cargo on this occasion didnt include buses or machinery or livestock..... now that would have really been something. This involves two lighters being lashed together side by side with nothing other than poles with the precious cargo lashed on top. There is no insurance if the cargo goes down. Around 90% of the island's goods arrive this way.
When a lighter is retired it is laid to rest amid the buildings of the Kingston Pier.
"The word 'lighter' simply refers to a vessel
that makes a supply ship 'lighter' by unloading its cargo"
The unloading would have gone on for many hours with numerous trips back and forth from cargo ship to pier, but I had to leave after 3 incredible hours - other things to do! But this was such an amazing experience it deserves its own special post.
I'll try but can't promise to get the photos in order ------ Blogger isn't always cooperative. And if you'd like to view the photos in a much larger view, then just click on the first photo and you'll be able to have a slide view....
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| Only two will remain in the lighter, the others will go on board the cargo ship to help with the cargo from that end |
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| This would have been the days when there wasn't a motorlaunch to help just brute rowing strength |
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| RIP No 10 |
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| I'd rather fancy thinking that the old retired Lighters are watching over the new Lighters |
