Waterside Wander recounts the history of Exeter Ship Canal

The history of Exeter’s Ship Canal was explored recently during a ‘Waterside Wander’ in the city. 

The fun event, which was attended by around 20 walkers, was organised by the Friends of Exeter Ship Canal in partnership with Wellbeing Exeter, which is partly funded by the City Council. 

The ‘Waterside Wander’ ventured around the Canal Basin, pausing from time to time to hear fun history facts about some of the boats and buildings along the way. 

The route, which started and finished at the Piazza Terracina, included the story of Exeter’s ‘Onion Johnnies’ who came over by boat from Roscoff in France to sell their onions. One of the warehouses on the King’s Wharf – which later became the old Maritime Museum – was used to store French onions. When the groups arrived in Exeter, half would be given the role of making up the ‘troches’ or string of onions, with the others setting off from the quayside on their bicycles to sell the onions. 

The story of Jengo, which carried the city’s last commercial dry cargo – timber from Sweden in December 1973 – and its history, was also explored during the walk.  

The group were also welcomed by one of the Britannia’s owners, who showed them on board and described the ship’s extraordinary brush with history during the Russian Revolution, when the boat rescued the crew of a Russian ship in distress.    

As with the group’s ‘Fish and Ships’ walk last November, the pace was leisurely in order to accommodate the less able and combined some gentle exercise with some new insights into the history and operation of the Canal.  

Thanks go to Vandlys Galleri who offered shelter during inclement weather and also Lutzy’s cafe on the Piazza Terracina who made everyone feel welcome after the walk for coffee, cake and chat.  

To find out more about the Friends of Exeter Ship Canal, visit their website at www.friendsofexetershipcanal.co.uk 

To find out more about Wellbeing Exeter, visit their website at www.wellbeingexeter.org.uk