Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships

Ship:	VOLTAIRE
Arrived:	13 October 1930
Departed:	7 May 1932
Career:	Laid up 1930 in the River Blackwater Spring 1932 left the river, converted for cruising with the hull repainted white, and did a series of short cruises from Liverpool. Converted in 1939 to armed merchant cruiser and renamed HMS VOLTAIRE Lost 9 Apr 1941 to enemy action by the German raider KMS THOR There is a good history of the VANDYCK and VOLTAIRE in Sea Breezes January 1979. Vessel in the 1931 Oyster Company ledger - she was already in the river when the ledger starts. 7 May 1932 left fishery. Arrival date from Voyage Record Card. 13 October 1930 arrived River Blackwater from Liverpool [Liverpool Journal of Commerce 14 Oct 1930] Shields Daily News 29 May 1931, 23 Oct 1931, vessel in River. Shields Daily News 17 Mar 1932 Lamport & Holt VOLTAIRE laid up in River Blackwater Shields Daily News 6 May 1932 reported VOLTAIRE leaves River Blackwater 7 May 1932 for Liverpool "Haven of Rest" by Douglas Gurton lists the vessel but has no further info. See DJG_SHP
Tonnage:	13,500 gross
Built:	1923
Type:	Passenger ship
Owner:	Lamport & Holt
Official No:	147238
ID	1147238

VOLTAIRE laid up in River Blackwater off Bradwell 1931 Date: 1931.

Above: VOLTAIRE laid up in River Blackwater off Bradwell 1931 Date: 1931.
Source: John Leather Collection

The Shore, Bradwell on Sea. The ship second from the left is believed to be the VOLTAIRE. Date: cAugust 1931.

Above: The Shore, Bradwell on Sea. The ship second from the left is believed to be the VOLTAIRE. Date: cAugust 1931.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection

North Creek, Bradwell-on-Sea. The VOLTAIRE is believed to be the vessel on the left. Date: 1932.

Above: North Creek, Bradwell-on-Sea. The VOLTAIRE is believed to be the vessel on the left. Date: 1932.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection

Ships laid up in River Blackwater off Tollesbury. VOLTAIRE is just left of centre - she left the river 7 May 1932. Date: 1931.

Above: Ships laid up in River Blackwater off Tollesbury. VOLTAIRE is just left of centre - she left the river 7 May 1932. Date: 1931.
Source: Mersea Museum / Peter Bibby Collection

A Pretty Spot, Bradwell Quay. Postcard 122864.

Prominent on the left is the Shaw Savill TAIROA or PAKEHA and on the right is Lamport & Holt's VOLTAIRE. Behind the TAIROA is SUTHERLAND GRANGE, and far right is a Blue Star vessel, thought to be ROMAN STAR.

VOLTAIRE was in the River October 1930 to May 1932. Date: cOctober 1930.

Above: A Pretty Spot, Bradwell Quay. Postcard 122864. Prominent on the left is the Shaw Savill TAIROA or PAKEHA and on the right is Lamport & Holt's VOLTAIRE. Behind the TAIROA is SUTHERLAND GRANGE, and far right is a Blue Star vessel, thought to be ROMAN STAR. VOLTAIRE was in the River October 1930 to May 1932. Date: cOctober 1930.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection

Off Tollesbury Pier. Postcard 126366, not mailed.

Six vessels visible, thought to be L-R 1. not known, 2. ROMAN STAR (4 Aug 1930 to 21 Oct 1930), 3. SUTHERLAND GRANGE (5 Oct 1930 to 7 Dec 1930) 4. VOLTAIRE (15 Oct 1930 to 7 May 1932), 5. PAKEHA (June to 21 October 1930) ( or possibly TAIROA ), 6. HIGHLAND ROVER Date: c18 October 1930.

Above: Off Tollesbury Pier. Postcard 126366, not mailed. Six vessels visible, thought to be L-R 1. not known, 2. ROMAN STAR (4 Aug 1930 to 21 Oct 1930), 3. SUTHERLAND GRANGE (5 Oct 1930 to 7 Dec 1930) 4. VOLTAIRE (15 Oct 1930 to 7 May 1932), 5. PAKEHA (June to 21 October 1930) ( or possibly TAIROA ), 6. HIGHLAND ROVER Date: c18 October 1930.
Source: Mersea Museum / Cedric Gurton Tollesbury