Discover the history of Concrete Ships
Concrete Centenarians
Concrete Centenarians
Concrete Centenarians
All about the World War I British Concrete Ships - The Crete Fleet
Amazing Achievements
Concrete Centenarians
Concrete Centenarians
All about the Life & Times of these British Standard Ships
Hiding in plain view
Concrete Centenarians
Hiding in plain view
World War II Ferro-Concrete Barges still exist in large numbers
We're passionate about Concrete Ships !
Our Mission - To Save The Crete Fleet !
Back in 2019, I started a personal research project to learn more about British built concrete ships.
Initially, my aim was to create awareness of the 'Life and Times' of a unique fleet of 64 concrete ships that were commissioned by the British Government during World War I and launched between 1918 and 1920 after the Armistice was signed and the war was over. I then discovered 9 other British concrete ships of differing designs, built in the same era, so obviously I had to research them too !
A number of these World War I vessels still exist, but most are lost forever. This aim of this website was to highlight the plight of the few remaining Crete Ships in the hope that greater awareness would stimulate greater interest and ideally, commitment to save and to restore what remains today of this historic fleet.
The subject matter is the topic of a forthcoming book by Richard G Lewis entitled 'The Life and Times of The Crete Fleet'
Bitten by a bug, when I had finished the manuscript of my first book, I felt compelled to undertake the research on the Ferro-Concrete Barges built during World War II. There were rather more of these to discover, since 294 Open Barges and 201 Petrol Barges were built between 1940 and 1945. What I didn't realise at the outset, when I was finding out Why they were built, Where they were built, How they were built and by Whom they were built, was just how many exist today, littering the coast of the UK and also to be found in the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and even Iceland. Like their World War I predecessors, they travelled far and wide.
This new WWII FCB section of the website will build out over time, and a second manuscript, with a working title ' British Ferro Concrete Barges of World War II' is nearing completion.
I am under no illusions that I have become extremely, compulsively and rather eccentrically obsessed with this subject matter. Fortunately, I have a friend and collaborator whom I met on my research journey, Erlend Bonderud of Norway. Erlend doesn't help one bit to keep me sane, but rather feeds the compulsion and undertakes much of the difficult research, that involving language skills in particular. Thankfully, I also have an understanding wife. My kids just think I'm mad.
Our History
I was intrigued by the presence of a remarkable concrete boat - Cretegaff - moored in Carlingford Marina near where I live. This stimulated a research project which in turn led to a mission to find out what happened to the others. Cretegaff was known as 'Lady Boyne' when she resided in Drogheda for over half a century and I think the story of her 'Life and Times' needs to be told.
That's where it all started. Where it will end is anybody's guess because there are literally thousands of concrete ships to find out about !
Get Involved
I am appealing for recollections, stories and photographs that can be used on this website and in my forthcoming books.
If you have a photo, painting, drawing, poem - you name it - that you are happy to be presented here, you can join up or just mail lewisrichardg@hotmail.com
Your photos and anything else you contribute will be credited to the owner / author / artist whenever possible. Some photos are just 'on the net' !
The Crete Fleet
A unique fleet of 64 concrete ships launched and completed between 1918 and 1920 called 'The Crete Fleet'.
This beauty is named "Creteboom" and she rests on the River Boy at Ballina, Co. Mayo, Republic of Ireland
World War II Ferro Concrete Barges
'Brain of Brian'
"Probably the best Ferro Concrete Barge in the World"
With 495 built during World War II, that's quite an accolade !
From a design and ergonomic point of view, this was a truly imaginative use of a surplus Ferro Concrete Barge, I'm sure you will agree
We getting noticed - read for yourself
National Maritime Museum of Ireland
National Maritime Museum of Ireland
National Maritime Museum of Ireland
Proud to have my article on Concrete Ships on the National Maritime Museum of Ireland website !
Drogheda Independent
National Maritime Museum of Ireland
National Maritime Museum of Ireland
Nice little article covering my research into Cretegaff, 'Concrete Ship Formally Known As Lady Boyne'.
Mayo North
National Maritime Museum of Ireland
Carlingford Heritage Centre
The Life & Times of Creteboom was a Guest Blog I wrote for Mayo North website. I was very please to be invited over to Ballina in 2022 to give a talk at the Quay
Carlingford Heritage Centre
Carlingford Heritage Centre
Carlingford Heritage Centre
I presented a Carlingford Heritage Centre ‘Spring Talk' on-line during the lockdown. It was a lot of fun and I think people enjoyed it !
Waterford Tides & Tales
Carlingford Heritage Centre
Waterford Tides & Tales
On the centenary of Cretefield, a 1000 TDW Crete Barge built at Warrenpoint, arriving in Waterford, Tides & Tales published a blog that I wrote
Drogheda Life
Carlingford Heritage Centre
Waterford Tides & Tales
An article I wrote all about 'Lady Boyne' that was moored in Drigheda from 1937 to 1988 before coming to Carlingford
Dartford Living
Open Bridges - Part 1
Open Bridges - Part 1
I went to Greenhithe to see ACW 10 and wrote a two page article for Dartford Living in November 2022
Open Bridges - Part 1
Open Bridges - Part 1
Open Bridges - Part 1
Very little documentary evidence of the 35 FCBs built by Tarran Industries in Hull existed. Big thanks to Open Bridges for taking an interest and publishing a fab introductory article
Open Bridges - Part 2
Open Bridges - Part 1
Open Bridges - Part 2
Open Bridges followed up with a second article that took the story of Ferro Concrete Barge building a step further. They really made a great job of designing and publishing the article which I hope will be of interest to many
Published in Print !!
And a video by 'Ireland Made'
Open Bridges - Part 2
I was very proud to discover at the end of March 2023 that a 6000 word article I wrote about Concrete Shipbuilding at Barrow-in-Furness had been published. The Cumbrian Industrialist is a series of occasional papers,
copies should be available for reference at Kendal, Carlisle and Penrith libraries, and at the county record offices. They can also be purchased solwaypast@yahoo.com
And a video by 'Ireland Made'
And a video by 'Ireland Made'
And a video by 'Ireland Made'
Things seem to be gathering some pace !
I was asked by popular on-line website Ireland Made to provide information for a video about concrete ships built in Ireland. Delighted to assist and love the treatment Kevin Reid gave th subject
Canvey Island.Org
And a video by 'Ireland Made'
And a video by 'Ireland Made'
An article about the Canvey Island Petrol Barge was published by www.canveyisland.org in May 2023. This particular barge has had a lot written about her, even a website dedicated to her, so I just wanted to explain her background from a factual and historic perspective
About Us
Richard Lewis
The Crete Fleet in the Press
Erlend Bonderud
Richard lives in Carlingford, Co. Louth, Republic of Ireland.
His interest in concrete ships was first triggered by 'Cretegaff', the last floating survivor of the World War I 'Crete Fleet' that lies in Carlingford Marina.
He has been researching concrete ships since 2019 and has completed two manuscripts with the hope of being published thi
Richard lives in Carlingford, Co. Louth, Republic of Ireland.
His interest in concrete ships was first triggered by 'Cretegaff', the last floating survivor of the World War I 'Crete Fleet' that lies in Carlingford Marina.
He has been researching concrete ships since 2019 and has completed two manuscripts with the hope of being published this year.
In the meantime, he has published a number of on-line articles aimed at generating interest in British concrete ships.
Erlend Bonderud
The Crete Fleet in the Press
Erlend Bonderud
Erlend lives near Oslo, Norway.
He has been researching concrete ships, built around the world since the mid 19th century, for nearly a decade.
Speaking Norwegian, French, German and English, Erlend collaborates continuously with Richard and is able to uncover hidden secrets in the ship registries and newspapers of the world.
Erlend is busy
Erlend lives near Oslo, Norway.
He has been researching concrete ships, built around the world since the mid 19th century, for nearly a decade.
Speaking Norwegian, French, German and English, Erlend collaborates continuously with Richard and is able to uncover hidden secrets in the ship registries and newspapers of the world.
Erlend is busy writing a number of books, including 'The Toxic Kraken', and investigation of the post war dumping of chemical weapons.
The Crete Fleet in the Press
The Crete Fleet in the Press
The Crete Fleet in the Press
Whilst continuing to believe that our research will ultimately turn into a book or two, we continue to publish on-line articles that aim to develop greater awareness of the history of concrete ships.
If you are interested, we also have a Facebook page @thecretefleet and also an Instagram account the_crete_fleet which are easy to Like & Fol
Whilst continuing to believe that our research will ultimately turn into a book or two, we continue to publish on-line articles that aim to develop greater awareness of the history of concrete ships.
If you are interested, we also have a Facebook page @thecretefleet and also an Instagram account the_crete_fleet which are easy to Like & Follow !
If you have any information about concrete ships, you can email Richard @ lewisrichardg@hotmail.com or perhaps comment on our social media