Hidden Henley

AT the beginning of the Noughties, when Hidden Henley was in its infancy, I asked readers about the partially sunken remains of a motor boat named Canard Savage.

When there was a long dry spell and the river level dropped, the hull protruded above the surface and birds would perch there.

My picture shows the location, photographed at the end of this year’s Henley Festival, but the last time the boat was visible is now several years ago.

At the time of its demise, different explanations were offered, including that it suffered engine failure during the regatta and was towed to this point where it sunk.

You would think that any remains would have been washed away by floods but perhaps not.

In 1900, when the partners of London printers Dove Press fell out, one made about 170 night-time trips to Hammersmith Bridge and dumped the metal type fonts into the river to spite the other.

Yet in 2010, after more than a century of tides, floods and strong currents, an enthusiast for this printer’s unique font was able to recover more than 150 pieces.

So parts of Canard Savage may still be a on the river bottom, waiting to be discovered.