The 20th Century
1916 ~ Light cruisers and destroyers at Harwich ~ William Lionel Wyllie
Inscribed 'Harwich Light Cruisers' and signed by the artist lower right. It shows 'Arethusa'-class light cruisers and L -and M-class destroyers at Harwich, 1914-16, looking seaward (roughly east) from the Shotley side of the harbour. The destroyer on the right in near broadside view is one of the 'Landrail' (1914), 'Lark' (1913), 'Laurel' (1913), 'Laverock' (1913), 'Liberty' (1913) or 'Linnet' (1913). See also PAF0882. The senior officer at Harwich, commanding the 'Harwich Force' of light cruisers and destroyers was Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt (1870-1951, and promoted rear-admiral in 1918), who was a very experienced destroyer captain by the time war broke out and proved so good in the post from early on that the government left him there for its entire duration.
1989 ~ The ‘Pathfinder’ leaving a cargo liner at the Sunk lightship off Harwich ~ Vic Trevett.
A painting commemorating the end of the Trinity House era. The Trinity House Channel pilots who worked from Gravesend to the sea commissioned this painting from the artist in 1989. The painting shows early morning or evening with the 'Pathfinder' pilot cutter leaving a cargo liner at the ‘Sunk’ lightship off Harwich. This is the northern limit of the London pilots district for Baltic and Northern European ports north of Rotterdam. The cargo ship is not specific but generic and is of the period circa 1955-75. She is flying the ‘H’ flag to signify that she has a pilot on board. The pilots acted to conduct ships from Gravesend to down the River Thames through the south channels to Dungeness and vice versa. They also went from Gravesend down the River Thames through the north channels, as here, to the ‘Sunk’ Light vessel stationed 14 miles from Harwich. The Pilot cutter would cruise the vicinity generally a mile or two to the SW, serving ships bound to and from the Thames. The cutter was withdrawn on 1 June 1987 and replaced by a fast launch running into Harwich. As an experienced local marine artist Trevett was commissioned by the pilots to produce this painting. A print after the scene was presented to every Channel pilot at their final retirement at Gravesend and the pilots also donated the actual painting to the collection.
Patrick Fisher & Peter Hall
"Ancient Trees", Dovercourt Beach (near the park) in 1971, PJF cards
These "Ancient Trees" near Dovercourt Park Beach, were captured by Patrick Fisher local teacher and artist in 1971. His nephew Peter Hall, also a great artist has painted many local scenes as well.
They mark the loss of the original coastline from erosion and have been mentioned in early 17th Century texts such as "The History and Antiquities of Harwich and Dovercourt" By Silas Taylor, Samuel Dale 1730.
For more information see:- http://www.harwich.net/pjf.htm
