A DCA Exercise?

In 1867 a Mr J P Dashwood cruised his 16' Una-rigged dinghy from Weybridge on the Thames to Lymington on the Solent, using the Wey and Arun Canal Route. He was accompanied by his wife and their dog, and they took an india-rubber bath with them! Dashwood wrote a little book about their adventures (the first Dinghy Cruising Manual?) and expressed the hope that others would be encouraged to repeat his voyage. Unfortunately the canal which linked the River Wey with the River Arun was closed soon afterwards.

The 20' mast was unstepped for towing through the canal bridges.

From 'The Thames to the Solent by Canal & Sea' by J P Dashwood - 1868 (A reprint has been obtained for the DCA Library)

However, most of Dashwood's route, with its many scenic attractions, is still available. It is now necessary to trail the 12 miles or so from Stonebridge (on the A281 Guildford-Horsham road) to Newbridge on the Arun near Billingshurst. A heavy boat would have to be trailed a little further down to Pulborough, but a strong and determined crew with a light boat could certainly reduce the 12 mile gap using adjacent streams and short stretches of the old canal. With a light trolley, mechanical aid might be entirely dispensed with. Another alternative option is to follow the old canal route by the 'Wey South' footpath, but this would involve a 20 mile walk. DCA members would not, however, be the first to re-trace Dashwood's route. I have now found that in 1967, the Centenary year, Jack de Manio did it in a Regents Park sailing boat with a Great Dane and a barrel of beer on board. We could try variations of de Manio's route and perhaps improve on it.

The Wey and Arun route offers many attractions; a haunted abbey, a great Tudor Palace, three great bird sanctuaries, a considerable amount of archeological interest, a 'holy' spring by the Pilgrim's Way, secluded campsites, even a naturist beach if you are keen on that sort of thing! That pretty little gaff-rigger, 'Shoal Waters', sailed above Guildford flying her topsail a few years back.

I certainly intend to do the route (although my wife and dog are less enthusiastic). If anyone else is interested, please contact me. Further information will be provided if a large SAE is enclosed.