The Jack-knifing of Carriage No.5, on 16th April 1985

Windsor Castle: Lat.  51.27'N   Long.0.36'W

Wind: Light and variable.

 

High Water London Br 11.42  GMT.

 

Delay in the arrival of the President of Malawi on his State Visit caused Freddie, the horse lying second rank starboard, to attempt sitting down. At one stage he crossed legs and had a pronounced list to port, the postillion's starboard leg went in as a fender and no harm was done. Finally getting away from Home Park calmed him and we had no further trouble until we had the Guildhall on our port quarter and only half a cable of High Street remained.

 

Suddenly and for no apparent reason the horse ahead of Freddie reared up and attempted to shake hands with the postillion on his port side. There followed an uncontrollable rounding to port, without the requisite sound-signals and citizens of the Royal Borough and others scattered as the lead horses left the fairway and turned inshore over the pavement. One horse put a foot through a pushchair which fortunately was unladen. Remarkably the postillions were able to bring the team to a halt and a capsize was averted.

 

Never without a compass, I noted that the carriage had a heading of 135., while the horses were 320.. I knew instinctively that this was not right.

 

We have an arrangement that disasters of this sort require the starboard Waterman to see to the passengers, while the port Waterman sees to the horses. Nick Silvester, lying second-bottom to the brake, applied it to prevent our going ahead or astern, then leaped to the aid of our passengers, who had escaped injury.

 

The horses appeared to me to have grown in stature, but they were held so that the carriage could be careened over to allow traces to be pulled clear before Crown Equerry arrived to take command. With him was one Arthur, Head Coachman, bravely hiding his despair at having to rely on two ex-boat boys to release horses from carriage: there was not a bowline or clove-hitch to be seen, so he declined our offers of assistance and wisely got on with the job himself. I am now reading a book on "Harness". A quick survey showed that the carriage had a broken mainshaft and a broken quadrant and would be

lucky to be classified C3 at Lloyds. There were no apparent injuries to those ashore: our passengers headed for the Castle in a Rolls-Royce, and my inadequacies found me reluctant to look Crown Equerry in the eye.

 

When the horses were de-rigged the postillions dismounted and led their charges to a berth ashore at The Mews. A police officer then asked Arthur what he should do with the carriage. A pregnant pause then Arthur suggested that the carriage had become a main-channel obstruction and it would be appreciated if lots of policemen towed it out of the fairway and back to its home port. Arthur then suggested that we three should go to lunch. On leaving the scene I could not deny myself the pleasure of looking back at those now dealing with the problem.

 

At St.George's Gate Nick and I met Superintendent Royal Mews and the Comptroller, both anxious to learn the reason for their tally being one short. Asked if Freddie was to blame I was happy to pronounce Freddie innocent and added that the culprit had indeed been "the horse in the starboard towrope". I noticed that the maroon plumes carried by this Blues and Royals officer visibly shook at my reply, and I noticed that the Comptroller was kind enough to turn away before looking heavenwards in a silent plea for strength.

At lunch I learned that the starboard towrope horse was one "Rideau", and I resolved

never to share a duty with him again.

 

Edwin Hunt

Bargemaster to Her Majesty