Green Wyvern Yachting Club
From the late Fifties to the late Nineties, with only a short gap, Nyanza was owned by Wyverns. She was a very old yacht and a unique design. Andy Christie, Martin Durrell and Roger Hewitt almost completely re-built her.
Nyanza's original birth is shrouded in mystery. Believed to have been built about 1890, she probably derived her name from the Swahili word Nganza, meaning lake. The Club’s first association with Nyanza was through its commodore, Cecil Howard, who purchased her from Jack Pritchard at Martham in 1959. In 1965 Cecil bought Pan (currently owned by Tim Munsey, Mike Sarson and Ray Watts), and sold Nyanza to Dick Farrar and Henry Irving. Nyanza was then moved away from Norfolk, spending two seasons on the Fens before returning to Burgh Castle in 1967.
My first and only recollection of seeing Nyanza sail in these early days was during my second club week, whilst sailing with Martin Anderson aboard Sparklet in July 1968. I remember sailing down from Thorpe to Bramerton. I say sailing but for most yachts it was a gentle drift supplemented by the occasional use of the quant to maintain steerage. Not so for two yachts, as Pan helmed by Cecil and Nyanza (Ron Lithgow) glided effortlessly through the fleet, sails full of an imaginary wind.
Nyanza’s final club week that season was under the supervision of Tony Tomkins. The following summer, a late footnote to my crew list read 'certain weeks now are full due to the fact that Nyanza will not be available . . . in spite of rumours she has not sunk'. Unbeknown to many, Henry was planning to trail Nyanza up to Barton-on-Humber where she unfortunately slipped off her cradle at an inopportune moment and sank. Once recovered and repaired she was to be seen sailing around the waters of the Humber, Ouse and Trent before undergoing plastic surgery at Cambridge.
In 1970, the now fibreglass sheathed Nyanza returned to Norfolk and was soon sold. From then on her deterioration quickened, whilst she spent most of the time laid up at Tim Whelpton boatyard at Upton.
Following a club cruise in 1975, Martin Durrell, Roger Hewitt and I decided it was time we owned our own yacht. Penniless as we were, we a agreed to search for a repairable wreck, a yacht which would provide us with the satisfaction and responsibility of self ownership, and an opportunity to learn the rudimentary boatbuilding skills.
Three choices were available. Wenonah (laid up at Ferriby, but an ideal excuse to visit Humberside to sample the delights of Hull Brewery by invitation of Jonathan Winterton), Cordon Rouge (too expensive), or the neglected Nyanza.
With Henry acting as shrewd negotiator, Nyanza’s owner was approached and the deal completed in October. A hull survey had concluded that 'if bought at the right price, the boat would be worth carrying out work on'; reassuring words considering the lengthy findings that proceeded them.
The first two post-acquisition years were devoted to painstakingly removing the fibreglass without damaging the 'sound' planking underneath. Unbeknown to us we would subsequently be replacing over 400 feet of them. I remember the shocked expression on Roger’s face one weekend as he pointed towards a gaping hole, formerly occupied by the starboard topsides, barely able to distinguish between Nyanza (or remains thereof) and a pile of adjacent firewood.
In Autumn 1980 we enlisted the professional services of Peter Simpson, who was to perform the major restoration necessary to save Nyanza from imminent extinction. By the following summer, the basic hull was complete. Apart from the new planking, 76 new ribs had been installed, together with half a hog and eight new floors.
During 1982 a new transom, deck beams, bilge stringers, tabernacle, cabin sides and decks were fitted, followed by new bulkheads, a made to measure well, berths and cabin roof.
By early 1983 the launch (or rather re-launch) was in sight. Subject to the owners agreeing on a colour for the topsides, a summer baptism was possible. Finally at 6.00 p.m. on Saturday 2nd July, Big Daddy, Upton’s resident crane, gently carried Nyanza to the water’s edge and slowly lowered her down.
What had seemed like a lifetime’s effort had been brought to fruition. Our objective had been fulfilled, a tribute to the enthusiasm and determination of my fellow partners, the skills and expertise of Peter Simpson, the kind co-operation of Tim Whelpton, the ever -opened door of Reg at the White Horse and the constant support of Mandy and Marion. To all of them, without whom the project would never have been completed, a sincere thank you.
Many observers have remarked that maybe we would have been wiser investing in a modern but traditional fibreglass yacht. I personally support their introduction to the Broadland scene, but wonder if they will survive the test of time as well as their wooden predecessors. Hopefully Nyanza is now on course to survive a further 90 years.
Postscript.
Having visited relatives last summer and experienced the American dream, Martin and Mandy have decided to leave their native Norfolk for a few years to live in the Western States.
As a result they have reluctantly decided to sell their share in Nyanza. It would he impossible to repay them for their years of hard work during the restoration, but we are now seeking an interested third party who could compensate them for their financial contribution.
The ideal purchaser will he a keen club skipper who is interested in co-owning a fine Broads yacht and is willing to help maintain Nyanza in her current condition. Serious enquiries should be directed to Martin, Roger or myself. Should two interested parties wish to acquire a quarter share each, Roger and I will consider reducing our shares accordingly.
AC, 1984