It is perhaps a little-known fact that Tower Bridge is legally obliged to open for any vessel tall enough to need it, free of charge (it was a condition of permission for it to be built). Openings nowadays are at fixed times to suit the convenience of the bridge, and the traffic that uses it and have to be booked in advance.

So it was that, on Wednesday 6th September, Nancy Blackett had a date with the bridge to open for her at 3pm, to pass through into the Pool of London – and another, half an hour later to go back again.

You only get five minutes either side leeway, so passage planning had to be meticulous. Nancy had left her home berth at Woolverstone the previous Sunday, and by Tuesday evening was berthed at Greenwich Yacht Club, ready for the final approach.

Skipper Ian McGlynn takes up the tale…

“Departing at 12:30pm we set off towards Tower Bridge for the highlight of the trip, carefully monitoring our progress to arrive at the bridge at our booked opening time of 1500 (+/- 5 minutes!).

Nancy Blackett passing under Tower Bridge, 3pm, 06 Sep 2023 – Angela Ford MRPS

We passed Greenwich Hospital, the Cutty Sark and Millennium Dome and were amazed at the number of (very expensive) flats built along the riverbank. After stemming the tide off Wapping Pier, we raised sail and headed for the bridge.

Nancy Blackett passes under Tower Bridge, 06 Sep 2023 – Roger Sturge

“At exactly 3 o’clock the bridge was raised, and we passed through watched by crowds of tourists.

Nancy Blackett passes under Tower Bridge, 06 Sep 2023 – Roger Sturge

One of our photographers ashore overheard someone remark, “Do they open Tower Bridge for such a little boat?”

Nancy Blackett after passing under Tower Bridge, 06 Sep 2023 – Angela Ford MRPS

Carefully avoiding the pleasure boat behind us we rounded up and took the sails down to wait for our 1530 bridge opening to get back to St Katharine’s Dock.”

Nancy Blackett passing under Tower Bridge again, 3:30pm, 06 Sep 2023 – Roger Sturge

Nancy Blackett was in London for the St Katharine’s Dock Classic Boat Festival – her second visit to this colourful event.

Nancy Blackett in St Katherine’s Dock, 09 Sept 2023 – Carl Ranger

Once again she had her easily-spotted corner berth, and once again she welcomed many interested visitors – including yachting writer Tom Cunliffe who seemed to think that she should be gaff-rigged.

Nancy Blackett in St Katherine’s Dock, 09 Sept 2023 – Carl Ranger

Perhaps there’s a case for it, but both history and literature require that she keeps the rig she has!

Nancy Blackett in St Katherine’s Dock, 09 Sept 2023 – Carl Ranger

Thanks to Angela Ford MRPS and Roger Sturge for the Tower Bridge photos, and Carl Ranger for those of St Katharine’s Dock.