British Pathe

London and off Harwich, Essex.

Film in two sections. First is a 'travelogue' style look at the River Thames. Second is a look at life aboard the ship that hosts Radio Caroline.

Scenic shot of mountainous British landscape with lakes and streams. Various views of riverside buildings...

London and off Harwich, Essex.

Film in two sections. First is a 'travelogue' style look at the River Thames. Second is a look at life aboard the ship that hosts Radio Caroline.

Scenic shot of mountainous British landscape with lakes and streams. Various views of riverside buildings and houseboats. Scenes beside the River Thames (possibly Richmond or Teddington?) - narrator is rambling on about Britain being an "island race ... being at our best on the water's edge." Swans. Water where it is "the Queen's Highway" - central London scenes from the Thames - views of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, large boats, barges etc. The Cutty Sark - narrator speaks of our "swashbuckling history".

Modern piracy now - five D.J.s (Disc Jockeys) climb aboard a boat (called "Offshore 1") which will take them to the Radio Caroline ship. One is Tony Blackburn (holding an Elvis record), another is Simon Dee, - the other two are currently unidentified. "Piracy, that's what is happening here, with the connivance of almost every teenager in South East England" states the narrator. The DJs chat, drink cups of tea and look at their records on their way to the Radio Caroline ship. The DJs climb off one ship onto the other. Various shots of the studios on board ship. A record is cued up. C/U of the record on the turntable. Music plays as we are given a little tour of the ship. DJs choose records and reply to fan letters. C/U of one of the DJs with an excellent beard who is admiring a photograph of two girls that he has been sent. Tony Blackburn selects some 45s to play. Simon Dee is at the typewriter. The bearded DJ plays a record. Tony is seen recording the sound of the ship's bell. We see the ship's skipper at work. The DJs play chess on deck. Another DJ spins a disc - the fabulous Unit Four Plus Two playing "Concrete and Clay" - see other record.

Note: any assistance with names of DJs gratefully received - one might be Stuart Henry? Cuts exist - see other records.