Latest novel from Local Author – Emma Batten

Local author, Emma Batten, has just released her latest novel, ‘Still Shining Bright’ and again set in and around Dungeness. This time the year is 1873 and Emma has woven a tale, in her inimitable ‘easy to read’ style around the sad loss of the sailing ship ‘Northfleet’, whilst at anchor here on the 18th July. Her story revolves around a fictitious survivor and her daughter who were on their way to a new life in Tasmania. Available on Kindle and Amazon and also direct from Emma, at just £7.99 it will make a good stocking filler!

The Northfleet a few days before sailing on her fateful journey (Photo Wikimedia).

At 951 tonnes she was built in 1873, of wooden construction, and was on her way to Tasmania with 379 souls on board. Expecting bad weather the Northfleet, along with other ships, was anchored just offshore. It was a cold but clear night and all her lights were shining bright but at 10.30 p.m. a Spanish steam ship, the ‘Murillo’, one third of the size of the Northfleet, collided at speed, cutting her down to the waterline. Most of the passengers were sleeping below decks and didn’t stand a chance of survival. 320 of the 379 onboard perished. The ‘Murillo’ didn’t stop and made off into the darkness. Sadly just 300 yards away was a clipper ‘Corona’ who were totally unaware of the incident – the night watchman being asleep on duty.

About the Author: Mike Golding

Born in Ashford a long time ago I have had a lifelong relationship with Dungeness having spent every year here for a fortnights holiday up to the age of 15. In those good old days there was no electricity and hence no radio, no running water and no adequate sewage solutions. Nothing to do other than enjoy the vast expanse of the Ness and all it offered for the young children of that era. Out after breakfast and back before nightfall. There were lakes to swim in. Same lakes to boat on (well old railway sleepers). A derelict school and long disused railway station in and on which to play. Gun emplacements, underground shelters. Sheer bliss. That all ended at 16 when I joined the RAF, finally purchasing a shack – as indeed it was then – in 1971 for the princely sum of £750.00. Only 15 years prior to that we could not afford the £150.00 asking price for what was then known as ‘Windwhistle’, reported to be one of Queen Victoria’s entourages carriages. Still there today, sold last year (2022) and still awaiting planning permission to re construct, but the original structure still concealed behind painted shiplap. Leaving the mob I travelled, retuning ‘home’ as oft I could, and realistically, only becoming a permanent fixture since 1977. In those days there was a vibrant community here with annual gatherings for the Mayday festival – spit roast and all and open days at the Lifeboat station – with bosuns chairs, zip wires to keep the kids happy. I think Health and Safety put paid to that and other activities, as did the moving away of many locals. The result of which , today there are probably less than 20 families residing here permanently, (I have been told not to use the word ‘shacks’ as now, at £650,000.00 plus they are 'desirable bungalows in a well sought after locale'. So ‘Shacks’ they are! End. P.S A few originals left to rent from £500 per week.