It's the wettest June on record, so we were informed on the news last week. I think we'd worked that out for ourselves... rain, rain and more rain. Really depressing and disappointing too for organisers of events who put in so much time and effort.

Sailing down the Pembroke River

The big event last week was Seafair Haven which attracts much interest here as it is one of the rare occasions when boats are able to sail up the Pembroke River to the South Quay.

Stuart, our treasurer, is a keen member of the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, and I was able to join him on the society's boat 'Quest', one of the flotilla of boats due to sail up the Pembroke River last Wednesday.

Luckily, it was not raining that morning, although grey and misty as we got on board at Hobbs Point.

David James led the way in 'Supporter' and very soon we were at the mouth of the Pembroke River rounding Pennar Point into Crow Pool to assemble with other boats for the procession up river to Pembroke.

We waited in the gloom, the chimneys of the new power station barely visible in the mist. Then came word that all was not well in Milford; the boats were unable to leave the harbour and would not be joining us.

And so our little fleet of five boats proceeded on our way, led by David James whose piloting skills led us up the narrow, winding channel of deep water to Pembroke.

From Crow Pill, it took about half hour to reach Pembroke. You can imagine how impressive the first sight of Pembroke Castle would once have been on approaching Pembroke, but now the barrage blocks the view somewhat as well as deterring boating up the river. The gate was down however, to allow us through and we arrived at the South Quay to be greeted by the Town Crier, Rose Blackburn with her greyhound Grace.

Looking back

The Pembroke River is a fascinating place if you know your history, scene of much past human activity and industry.

Going back to the mouth of the river, did you know that Pennar Point was once a torpedo testing station?

In the decade predating WW1, torpedo systems were tested here and you can still see chunks of concrete and the remains of a jetty used for this purpose.

And there are other items of interest on the way. Passing by Pennar on the right is Bentlass where once a ferry crossed to Ferry Road in Pennar, a short cut from the Angle peninsular to Pembroke Dock. The ferry house is still there.

In February, I wrote about the tragic ferry disaster which happened in 1889 when passengers, mainly farmers wives, were drowned whilst returning from their shopping trip at Pembroke Dock market.

Bentlass was also the home of Seymour Griffiths, the river pilot. Sticks were placed along the river to mark the channel for shipping and I remember Bill Harries telling me how Seymour would pay the boys 3d to make sure the sticks stayed there!

Jacobs Pill and the Japanese Navy

A little further to the left we passed Jacob's Pill which was once a shipyard. The crumbling dock gate, pieces of wall and the skeleton of an abandoned boat are all that remains to testify of industry here.

Yet Jacob's Pill Yard has its place in history and who could ever guess that here was built a ship, named the 'Hi-Yei', which helped form the embryonic Japanese navy!

The 2,200 ton Corvette went on to play a major part in the naval engagements which saw the birth of Japan as a world power. It was finally taken out of commission in 1911. Her name was perpetuated on later ships, one of which took part in the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941.

Great were the celebrations on her launch on June 9, 1877, attended by many dignitaries, including the Japanese ambassador who arrived by special train directly into the Royal Docks.

Following the successful launch, there was a sumptuous banquet held in the Victoria Hotel situated at the top of Pembroke Street, Pembroke Dock, which was the grandest hotel at the time.

Also still standing there is an ivy covered ruin. This is all that remains of the shipyard's mould loft, and in later days the buildings were converted into an isolation hospital. This huge building is now demolished and I am indebted to Bill Harries for the photograph.

Quarrying

Snaking our way along the river, we next came to the exotic sounding Turks Castle. I have not yet discovered why the shoreline here is called that - was there once an earthwork here?

Turkey Dock Quarry is to be found here. Man-made inlets for the quarrying and lime burning which was an important industry of the past. There are lime kilns at the bottom of Long Mains and India Row. At the end of the inlet, though out of sight from the river, is Quoits Mill, which marks the westernmost boundary of Monkton parish and which generated the first electricity for the area. Monkton names do reflect far off places - besides Turk's Castle and India Row, Long Mains was formerly known as New Zealand.

On the approach to Pembroke, there are quarries on both sides of the river, all now disused. Cat's Hole Quarry on the Monkton side is now home to the travelling community and you pass the jetty which is Colley's Landing where once another ferry would cross to Imble Lane, Pembroke Dock, carrying dockworkers to the Dockyard.

Industry long gone, the Pembroke River has another interest. It has been designated an SSSI and here you will see a variety of birdlife: among them wild fowl, waders such as heron, little egret, curlew, plover and godwit. Kingfishers can also be seen as well as the elusive otters.

The River Rally

There will soon be another opportunity to sail up the Pembroke River on Sunday, July 15, when West Wales Maritime Heritage Society are organising the River Rally on behalf of Pembroke Town Council.

David James told me: "There is a serious reason behind this annual event; it is to maintain the right of navigation up the river following the construction of the barrage. The ships will be led by the flagship carrying local dignitaries and escorted by vintage vessels which have been restored and crewed by members of the society. Other local boats will be following on - if anyone is interested and wants to join in please phone me, David James on 01646 683764 for sailing directions."

David is hoping to arrive at the South Quay just after 3 pm.

There will be a marquee on the South Quay and the town council are organising stalls - we in the Pembroke and Monkton Local History Society will be participating. Call by to see us!

Contact

If you have any stories or photographs for this column, please contact me, Linda Asman, on 01646 622428, email [email protected]">[email protected] and visit our website http://www.pembrokeandmonktonhistory.org.uk">www.pembrokeandmonktonhistory.org.uk