In June the Tenby Times had a section on the fishing boat Enterprise. I would like to add that in 1955 when not in school I used to crew with Raymond Thomas and had some wonderful times.

Later on I went to the Reardon Smith Nautical College, Cardiff in 1957 to 1958 then joining the South American Saintline for three and a half years as an Apprentice. My first ship was the St. Thomas and the second photograph was the cadets onboard. I am fifth from the right and fourth was Christopher Crockford. This was in May 1958.

When I passed my 2nd Mate’s certificate in May 1962, I went to work on the pleasure boat Enterprise for Ivor Crockford, which started tripping on June 6, in memory of D-Day where Ivor Crockford served.

The photograph of the Enterprise off the Castle Sands: if I am right it was for the Round Table, an evening cruise. Being low water it was only possible to row passengers off and on to the Enterprise from Castle Beach. The person standing I think was Ian Shuttleworth. For all this season, 1962, when the tide was out of the Harbour it was rowing (punting) passengers out and off the Enterprise, which was hard work for 20 minutes, and while on the cruise Ivor’s father (Pop) would look after the two rowing boats. The photograph of me with a visitor was 1963, by which time I was the skipper, and continued for the next four years, going back to sea for the winter.

The fourth photograph is of the Lilac, which I took when visiting Swansea Museum. Back in 1954 during the school holidays and weekends I spent the summer with Bobby Hopper where he let out boats off the North Beach and Mayor’s Slip. During this time I would attend to the boats, cleaning, etc. Bobby had five boats: Jane, Jocelyn, Gremlin, Peg and ? At this time Victor Crockford, Billy Jones and Donny Crockford would row visitors around the bay. It was Victor Crockford who asked me to moor up his boat the Lilac one evening. This was a great honour and while I was in the boat he would stand at the top of the 22 Steps, watching that I did it right. The Lilac was a dream to row.

Mike Wilson, Ex Master (MN)

Now retired and living in Cornwall.