{"id":968,"date":"2021-03-26T17:28:51","date_gmt":"2021-03-26T17:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/?p=968"},"modified":"2025-11-14T23:24:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T23:24:41","slug":"52-exeter-ship-canal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/52-exeter-ship-canal\/","title":{"rendered":"52 Exeter Ship Canal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The water is very deep in a ship canal. It used to be 14 ft. but is much less now.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

An unprepossessing shed on the site of a former timber store at Gabriel’s Wharf most of the time hides what could be one of Exeter’s best kept secrets; but, occasionally, for those who do not stand on their bikes’ pedals to peer over the screens at what is taking shape, the secret is out when a new vessel is craned into the water and is much admired by passers-by as preparations are made for delivery.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scout first became aware of this several years ago when, upon enquiring about a moored vessel, he was told that it had been built in the shed; the scout had naturally thought that it had come along the canal to receive some attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, he has watched with great interest as a succession of boats has left the factory, although some must have escaped his notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had made vain efforts to find out when the first boat he saw was going to sail, thinking he may reenact the ride he must last have done at least fifty years before, when he had watched Esso Jersey<\/em> turn in the wide part of the basin and then followed her along the canal on his single-speed Curry’s<\/em> bicycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “launch” of the latest boat, a 110-tonne steel landing craft for a Scottish salmon fishery, made him more determined to do this but still there was no reliable information; perhaps the firm does not want to encourage people to view the events out of concern for safety. Anyway, work was still being done and arrangements have to be made; a week’s notice is required for the bridges at Countess Wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A further complication was that the closure of Clapperbrook Lane in connection with the construction of Marsh Barton Station had given City Council the opportunity to remove Salmonpool (swing) Bridge for refurbishment, replacing it temporarily with a fixed pedestrian crossing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the ever-resourceful Szypko, the railway’s man on the ground, persisted with enquiries at the gate and was able to advise that the boat would depart around 0900 on 24th March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scout set off from Christow at eight and was cheered to find activity on and around the boat when he arrived at the wharf. He was told that departure was to be at 0930, then shortly that it would be gone ten, as the crane needed to lift the Salmonpool bridge was late. Szypko arrived on his bike and said he’d heard on the radio that Bridge Road would be blocked by the opening of the bridges at 1130.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gabriel’s Wharf<\/p>\n\n\n\n