COWES TO POLAND, TO SEE THE BLYSKAWICA
A former wartime Island shipbuilder and the mayors of Cowes and East Cowes have joined a party of VIPs in a visit to see the Cowes-built Polish warship ORP Blyskawica. Norman Barton, 74 (PICTURED), formerly from East Cowes, started working at the JS White’s yard in 1943. Members of the World Ships Trust were also in the party to visit Gdynia. The Trust has awarded an accolade to the managers of the Blyskawica, which was built on the River Medina and was commissioned in 1937 and which played a major role in protecting Cowes and East Cowes during a World War Two bombing raid. It is now run as a museum and is celebrating its 70th birthday this year.
For a full report on the visit, written by EAST COWES MAYOR MARGARET PRIOR visit http://www.iwbeacon.co.uk/services_view.php?srid=80
PHOTO: NORMAN BARTON IN THE ENGINE ROOM