Boat Trips in the 50's

The Summer Rose

‘Smoothing cruising weather’

A few days ago at an ‘old pals’ get together my mate Ken Harding offered these photos to be recorded on the archive. They were given to him by Avril Fitzpatrick whose father was owner and skipper of the ‘Summer Rose’. Ken’s grandfather, Robert Harding was a crewman. The ‘Summer Rose’ was the most prominent amongst a few pleasure boats that took holiday makers and Canvey folk on trips from Shell beach up to Holehaven and around the Chapman Lighthouse in the 1950’s.

‘Top of the tide’. Embarkation from Shell Beach jetty.

Background; Concord Cafe,l to r; ? Mr Fitzpatrick, Robert Harding.

Comments about this page

  • I remember going out on the Summer Rose with Mr Fitzpatrick and Marianne to take provisions for the keepers. Say hi to Avril for me if you are in touch with her, Graham.

    By Wamburg (12/11/2009)
  • Hi I have been given some photos of my dad Ronald Stanley Spink also known as Roy at the time sailing on the summer rose at the wheel . I have no idea what year can anyone help me thank you . 

    By Alan spink (22/03/2015)
  • Alan I am really interested in talking to you about your dad Ronald also known as Roy.  Not sure how we can communicate regarding this please advise

    By Mary Stone (19/01/2017)
  • Please can someone advise me how to get hold of Alan Spink or someone who knows more re the summer rose boat rides, I have some information.

    By mary stone (20/06/2017)
  • mr fitzpatrick took us out on his boat {1956?) from leigh beck primary school, a leavers trip and miss vincent came. We got to holehaven and the tide was going out causing the boat to get stuck on a sandbank. I dont know how long we were there, until the tide turned again i think. what a day to remember

    By Pauline Williams nee Warren (28/01/2022)
  • A Mr Fraser ran a speed boat at the same time. My cousin Kenny port worked on the boat

    By Chris williams (26/04/2022)
  • I am trying to find some information, or a photo would be wonderful, on a Mr Griffin who used to run one of the pleasure boats on Canvey Island, I believe in the 50’s? He was a resident of Canvey Island, and when I met him in the early 60’s he was retired and a widower.

    Mr Griffin was my late husband’s (Bob Hagger), mothers, father.

    Thank You.

    By Pat Hagger (27/01/2024)

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