Medway & Swale Shipping Through Time

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Medway & Swale Shipping has changed and developed over the last century

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From Whitstable, with its oyster beds and fishing fleet, to Chatham and Rochester, the Medway and Swale areas have seen a diverse variety of shipping over the years, from the fishing smacks to men of war, Thames barges, sailing vessels, submarines, pleasure steamers, ferries and cargo ships. Geoff Lunn uses pictures to show the contrasts over the last couple of centuries, giving a flavour of the vessels to be seen from the banks of the Medway and the Isle of Sheppey.Almost 200 images show just how the maritime history of the area has changed, as naval bases have closed down, piers have lain unused and pleasure steamers have come and gone. Apart from a few special occasions per year, sailing barges no longer inhabit the creeks, the ships of the cement industry are gone, and the Chatham Dockyards has become a museum. Find out about the rich maritime heritage of the Swale and Medway and how it has changed.