|
 The
DSP was formed in 1979 when the Discovery Committee
lost the use of the RRS Discovery, Captain
Scott's polar exploration ship. The Royal Navy gave up
the ship, and she was moved to Dundee. With the help
of the Port of London Authority, and latterly the
London Docklands Development Corporation, the project
have been able to set itself up as one of the best
voluntary run water activities centres in the country.
The project operates from the Headquarters Training
Ship the Lord Amory, and from a boathouse and stores
complex on the adjoining lock side, and has access to
120 acres of safe water as well as the tidal reaches
of the River Thames.
The
Dockland Scout Project evolved from a distinguished
Scouting past, on the Training ship R.R.S.
Discovery, moored on the Embankment near the
Temple. This was Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition
vessel, and was used by the Scouts between 1937 and
1979. When “Discovery” was handed over to the
Maritime Trust and relocated in Dundee, the Dockland
Scout Project began in a derelict warehouse where the
Canary Wharf estate currently stands. We had available
only a small fleet of gigs and dinghies, which were
bought from the river. The project started to run
weekend courses and provide boating for London Scouts.
In 1981 the Project acquired the ex-pilot cutter now
called “Lord Amory” which was renovated and refitted
to provide a base for water activity weekends.
In 1991,
the
DSP formally became a Scout District
within Greater London Central Scout County. The
Project continued to grow with the assistance of the
Port of London Authority and in 1994 with the aid of
the London Docklands
Development Corporation, the boathouse complex was
opened by the Chief Scout Garth Morris. More recently
with the assistance of British Waterways,
the Project has become one of the best volunteer water
activity centres in the country.
 The
DSP has an adult service team known as the "Crew” who
are all members of the Scout Association. Our youth
and future exists in the form of "Quartermasters" who
are aged between 13 and 18. They come from all of the
branches of Scouting, land, sea and air, as well as
Guides, Sea Cadets, Air Cadets and Sea Rangers or any
other uniformed organisation. Our Crew and
Quartermasters have taken part in many National and
International events which include, Tall Ships Races
(all over Europe), Operation Deepscan at Loch Ness in
1987 and hosting the European Sea Scout Conference in
1994. We also took part in the 'VJ Day'
celebrations on the River Thames in 1995 as well as
the British Legion Poppy Day Appeal launches in 1994
and 1996 as well as more recently assisting in the Nelson floatilla celebrating the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar on the River Thames in 2005. |
History
