The Final Visit of Ben Varrey to Sharpness Docks

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

One of the best looking coasters of recent decades. :-)

[@toolmaker9411]

Brings back memories of delivering grain to Ipswich, Yarmouth and Tilbury Docks. Tipping into elevator pits is ok for Wheat but Barley, that's another kettle of fish especially if you couldn't get to a shower before bedding down for the night. The chaff seemed to get into every fold and orafice. Keep them coming Chris, the photography was brilliant, so sharp..

[@andrewfoote322]

For those of you who are interested, 'Ben Varrey'was sold in 2016 to Kelcos Ventures of the Seychelles, and after spending some time in Rotterdam her name was changed to 'Ben Varre', and re-registered in Panama. In August 2017 she was taken to South America, and now operates out of Chille.

[@rickymherbert2899]

I can remember the Triumph and her sistership the Triton when they were brand new. Showing my age there! Loved the sound of her main engine so typically Dutch. Thanks Chris.

[@ChrisWitts]

Me too, I have a video of a Turkish ship with the same sound.

[@janvisser2223]

Her main engine is a German MaK

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Nice looking ship, I like the coasters of the UK, there used to be small coasters called "60 milers" than ran coal between Catherine Hill Bay and Sydney NSW years ago, also the cement clinker/powder ships between Tasmania and Sydney too. Great video, well narrated, I enjoyed it, well done!😉

[@adriannegrillo8394]

She's adorable 😍

[@ThamesShips]

Great video. It is amazing that you can get so close to these ships in the lock. It is also amazing how much the water in the lock raises / lowers the ship.

[@ChrisWitts]

Sadly you can't get so close now. Although Sharpness is still good for close up video compared to a lot of places.

[@janvisser2223]

That is the purpose of a lock.

[@marnypepper1376]

A beautifully constructed video, thank you

[@ChrisWitts]

Very kind of you to say so, keep watching.

[@Ella7194]

🖐🏽👏🏾❤I loved this film. Thanks for posting!

[@ChrisWitts]

Thanks Ella, keep watching.

[@ChrisWitts]

Hello Ella, must confess that it is one of my favourites.

[@adrianbanks2089]

Thanks ! Great Times ( I Went 2 Sea 60 years Ago When i Was 20 Years Young ) 😊

[@ChrisWitts]

Hi Adrian, great memories I expect.

[@leopoldobernabe4760]

Brings back memories 😊

[@ChrisWitts]

Happy ones I hope!

[@MrPetethornton]

Really enjoy your videos

[@ChrisWitts]

Very kind of you Pete, I do my best.

[@jacquespollet7999]

Des images de caboteurs que l'on ne voit pratiquement plus dans nos ports français ...sans doute la fin d'une époque de notre glorieuse marine marchande !!

[@ChrisWitts]

Hi Jacques, as bad as the UK I guess, they don't build ships like they used to.

[@glynrogers1018]

Hi lovely ship love see her back in the uk not much chance of that

[@ChrisWitts]

My favourite ship at the time, don't make them like her anymore!

[@glynrogers1018]

Hi seen her in cawsands Bay in Cornwall at anchor when she was gray in colour

[@ChrisWitts]

I guess not, don't know where she is now

[@glynrogers1018]

@@ChrisWitts hi last in chilly new name

[@russellfitzpatrick503]

Memories of my father's final years before retirement, on board coasters of the Booker (SW Coe) line. Don't know if he visited Sharpness but, considering the trips he did (and the type of ship he sailed on), it's pretty likely. He passed away in 2020 at the age of 100

[@ChrisWitts]

Great memories from you late dad Russell. SW Coe's ships used to run into Sharpness years ago.

[@MrFIZZYMann]

740 Horse Power ? For ~ 2,400 Tons of Ship ? & 1,400 Tons of Cargo ? = the Cargo Capacity of ~ 60 x 44 Ton Trucks, And That's Why These Ships Are SO Much Better, Cleaner, Eco-Efficient Than Our Motorway System ✔

[@ChrisWitts]

Cheers and many thanks

[@davidtaylor8458]

Very nice video. Great to see a traditional coaster and to watch how they enter the Dock then turn and go alongside without the aid of a bow thruster. Thanks for posting.

[@ChrisWitts]

@@davidtaylor8458 many thanks David ... keep watching