Bert Lavers Tapes 1, & 2.

Born in 1883 & interviewed by Ray Freeman in 1980. Bert spent his life in & around boats these tapes tell us about those aspects of Dartmouth life.

Track 1 Lavers Boatyard started by Mr Coaker at Combe, Boatbuilding, Coastguard

SandQuay & Totnes Paddle Boats. Apprentice at Noss for 5 years before working in

Devonport.

Conversation covers St Saviours Court, Old Town Goal, Rowing & Horse Ferries,

Submarine reputed to be buried under Coronation Park,Floating

Dock,Smugling tunnels.

Houses & living conditions in Higher Street, Food cooked over open fires or by the

Bakers.

Bayards Cove, Mission for Seamen, Cottage Hospital.

Track 2 The Embankment, Coal (L)humpers re-fuelling coal fired ships from hulks, Very cold

winter of 1896, Soup kitchen in the market, Floating Bridge (Higher Ferry), Shops &

businesses on the Quay, Butterwalk, Lower Street, Goods brought to town by sea,

Higher Street, Sunderland Terrace, Work as Admiralty contractor during WWII.