Landing craft at Woolverstone a long history
Published 01:00 on 15 May 2023
During the Second World War Woolverstone was known as site NK. This was an embarkation site and was built by the Admiralty between 1942 and 1943 in preparation for D-Day. It was a 4-berth hard for landing craft carrying troops. The concrete loading ramp was equipped with steel framed mooring points and while those are no longer there, the hard still is and is still in active use.
The hard is at Woolverstone Marina and Lodge Park and close to the Royal Harwich Yacht Club and one of the active users over the last 30 years has been the Woolverstone Project. The project celebrates it 30th anniversary this year and is a charity offering water-based activities for anyone whatever their ability. One of the main boats which they have, carries on the tradition of landing craft at the site. The Wheelyboat, like the landing craft which preceded it, has a drop-down ramp at the front and allows wheelchair users to get onto the boat and enjoy trips along the beautiful River Orwell. Trips are generally around an hour and a half and give the sailors a chance to learn about the fascinating history of the area from Admiral Vernon who is credited with the recipe for the 'grog' drunk by sailors, through to Arthur Ransome who lived at Pin Mill and the hard being the base for landing craft during the war.
Things feel a lot safer on the river now with the newer generation of landing craft!
Last updated 16:01 on 22 May 2023
