Island Life October/November 2018

Interview
Taking back
ground for Island
boatbuilders
The demise of many of the Island’s traditional shipyards to make way
for a succession of glossy new waterfront building developments
is an issue that pains people like boatbuilder Sam Fulford.
But rather than just sit and complain, this passionate craftsman
rolled up his sleeves and put his money where his mouth is.
After his business was caught up in the battle over the Medina Yard
site, he made the bold decision to take on the long-unused slipway
at Clarence Boatyard at East Cowes, and now, after a complete sixmonth
overhaul, this historic slice of working waterfront has become
the new base for his business, Wooden and Steel Ship Repairs.
Having grown up in Arctic Road,
Cowes in the 1980s, it was the
evocative sights and sounds of the
Medina’s shipyards that provided
the backdrop and soundtrack
to Sam Fulford’s earliest life.
His father was a boatbuilder
and the young Sam spent his
childhood playing on the river,
playing among the old wrecked
and abandoned hulks and barges.
“There were lots of interesting
old boats on the river” he recalls.
“To be able to row past huge
North Sea fishing trawlers and
light ships moored waiting for
whatever might be planned, or
ships built by the Souters and the
FBM shipyards, sitting there halffinished
on the pile moorings at
Medham, was amazing - and that
was our everyday experience”.
He vividly describes climbing
about on the old Paddle
Steamer Ryde, as well as the
old wreck of the Yellowfin (she
whose giant propeller now rests
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