The 'Eilian', heavy at the stern, being loading through her forward hatch with coal for Ilfracombe at number 2 tip of the Ely Tidal Harbour during August 1957. This was to be the last trip after making 508 calls to the harbour in over forty years of service for boat and skipper Jack Newcombe. The work boat is at the bow. This was required to assist the crew when turning, mooring or relocating the 'Eilian' or, when necessary to lift the anchor and swing it from side to side to free the hull of the ship when stuck in the mud on a rising tide. The lower image has been colourised.

Tip number 1 is painted white (or maybe bright yellow, who knows!) for some reason. Perhaps someone had bought a job lot of paint but he or she obviously had a good sense of humour. Maybe there is a logical reason - any ideas? On the iron ore jetty are the hydraulic cranes with the oil storage tanks behind, all of which were leased by the Regent Oil Company at this date. [166]