 Maritime Trust Our new charity supporting young people in and around Wells in sailing and maritime activities...
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Official naming of the Frank-T
Tue 3 May 2011
The official naming of the feeder vessel "Frank-T" took place on 29th April 2011.
The ceremony was attended by staff, Commissioners of WHC both past and present, as well as Norman Lamb MP, Joyce Trett District councillor, representatives from SCIRA, and many members of Frank Taylor's family. There was also a large public gathering on the quayside who listened to the ceremony via a public address system. The ceremony commenced with a welcome from Charles Ebrill, Chairman of WHC, who reminded everyone on the purpose of the vessel, which is to service wind farm vessels operating out to the Sheringham Shoal Wind Farm, as well as attending to general Port duties in and around the Harbour. Robert Smith, Harbour Master, gave an account of the how the Frank-T was named as well as an amusing history of why vessels are referred to as “She”. For the sake of political correction we will not repeat this here! Prayers and blessing were provided by the Father Michael Simison and Trygve Agotnes on behalf of SCIRA gave a short speech. The official naming was performed by Joan Champion, Frank Taylor’s daughter, who did the honours of releasing the champagne to break on the hull. Unfortunately this traditional christening failed so Robert Smith rushed to give the bottle a secondary hit on the hull. Unfortunately a shard of glass did hit Norman Lamb MP who received a cut to the hand. Charles Ebrill, Chairman and retired GP attended the wound on the vessel. Norman Lamb MP, showed great tenacity and continued with his address to the public despite the setback and talked of his support for the project and the job opportunities it is creating. Currently 64 jobs have been created in the area, mainly from Norfolk, as a direct result of the Outer Harbour works, 7 of these posts with WHC. Afterwards refreshments were held at the Maltings where the launch of the WHC charity “Wells Harbour Maritime Trust” took place. This charity will offer bursaries to young people between the ages of 11 and 20 keen to embark on maritime activities, who would not otherwise be able to due to cost. More information will be available on the website shortly. Frank Taylor, “Doodles”, to whom the vessel was named after, was born and raised in Wells and was involved with the sea and Harbour all his life. At the age of fourteen, he joined the crew of a whelk boat until the outbreak of WWII when he joined the Royal Navy at Lowestoft, the base for the minesweepers. While on service, laying mines in enemy waters his ship the “Van Meerlant” struck a mine and sunk with a crew of 118, only Frank and 20 others were rescued. After a short recuperation leave he returned to service and was transferred to naval intelligence working as a Commando helping to smuggle the Free French and secret agents ashore from British submarines and M.T.B. surface vessels. He was awarded for this work with the DSM (Distinguished Service Medal). In 1944, Frank played a big part in the D-Day landings on the Normandy beaches. After his Navy service, Frank returned to Wells and was appointed Trinity House Pilot in 1951. He was appointed Harbour Master in 1956 and served for 18 years until retirement in 1974. He then went on to serve as a Harbour Commissioner for a further 23 years finishing a 70 year devotion to Wells Harbour. Frank was a very well respected Harbour Master and very modest man. He had the greatest knowledge of the Port of Wells and North Norfolk Coast. It is a fitting tribute that the new feeder vessel, “Frank T” has been named after him so that his name can continue in the Port for generations to come.
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