The photographs above shows a slipway haulage winch. It was taken by John Connah during his recent holiday in South Africa. The winch bears the maker’s name, Richard C. Gibbins & Co. Ltd. Engineers Birmingham, England. It is a substantial machine, about the size of a double bed and is used for hauling fishing vessels out of the sea. So what is special about that ? Nothing, except that there is a connection between that winch and a member of this Club. Stephen Batchelor served his apprenticeship at Richard Gibbins and towards the end of his time, whilst working in the drawing office, he was assigned an order for the South African Harbour Board to be located at Hout Bay, near Cape Town. It became his project. He did all the drawings, watched it built in the factory, witnessed its tests and saw it despatched to South Africa. In due course he learned that it had been installed at Hout Bay and went into service satisfactorily. Stephen says he is delighted to learn from John that the winch is still in service after 54 years !!
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