Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre has the Scarborough Harbour Masters Diary from March 1st 1906 to June 18th 1908. This is a fragile document which cannot go on general display so selected extract are being produced.
In July 1906 the Royal Navy Fleet anchored off Scarborough. Unfortunately he does not record the names or number of the warships but there appears to have been many. This created great interest and also caused problems for the Harbour Master as recorded below in his own words.
July 26th1906. 5.30 am the fleet arrived in the 'roads'. Passenger steamers running to fleet when water at the pier would allow. At 9.30 the Cambria with the Commissioners, Mayor, Corporation and subscribers paid official visit to the Fleet. Very low ebb and considerable swell. Scarboro. grounded and remained off light house pier but out of the fairway. Several launches also grounded and the Cambria rendered assistance and also to Frenchman.
Friday July 27th1906. During the afternoon SS 30 came in towards the harbour entrance and made towards the West Harbour. When she was in hail (50ft) she was ordered into the East Harbour away clear of the traffic. The skipper refused to obey and the crew used very bad and abusive language to the Harbour Master. SS 30 came ahead until abreast of the light House pier when a written order was sent on board instructing the skipper to move at once his vessel into the East harbour and holding him responsible for blocking the traffic. Whilst in the fairway, she blocked the Cambria for a considerable time when she wished to come along side of pier to land passengers. This caused great inconvenience by wilful disobedience of a lawful command.
Saturday July 28th1906. Passenger steamers running as fast as possible to Fleet continuously throughout the day. In the afternoon about low water the Mary and Ellen of Filey (yawl) made for the entrance to the harbour and was hailed and ordered not to come in and run aground in the fairway, so as to impede the passage of passenger steamers and boats of the fleet. The Deputy Harbour Master remonstrated with the skipper and warned him that he would be held responsible for running his vessel ashore and blocking the traffic to and from the fleet. The skipper was ordered to get his yawl out of the fairway at once. He however refused to obey the lawful commands of the Deputy Harbour Master and was very insolent. The skipper was also warned by letter sent on board by ferry boat that he would be held responsible for his acts. He, the skipper made no attempt to move his vessel out into the bay or to westward by running out a kedge and for a long time blocked the fairway and caused great inconvenience to Cambria and boats of the Fleet – refusal to obey a lawful command.
The SS Superior was aground at the end of the pier full of passenger at 2.45 pm and was towed off by the Frenchman. A very busy day running to fleet.
Sunday 29thJuly 1906. Passenger boats running to fleet all day, Cambria, Conqueror, Dispatch, Frenchman and Royal Norman. The Dispatch brought passengers from Middlesbrough and returned. The |Frenchman brought passengers from Bridlington and returned, the Royal Norman passengers from Whitby and returned. Very fine still weather following rain. Work very brisk indeed all day.
Monday July 30th 1906. Passenger steamers running to the fleet all day weather perfect. At 3.30 pm the Mayor , Corporation and a large party went off in the Cambria to say good bye to the fleet which sailed at 4.00pm after a most successful visit.
