Boat Name
Boat Use
Boat Type
Build Date
Country of Origin
Area of Origin
Boat Dimensions
Length
45 ft 2 in
Width
11 ft 11 in
Description
Colchester Oyster Smack TSW Shamrock.
A 'smack' now seems to mean any smallish inshore fishing vessel and although TSW Shamrock has been converted to a gaff-rigged cruising boat, and will remain as such, she still displays the features and beautiful lines of the fishing craft of East Anglia.
History
TSW Shamrock was built in 1900 by Robert Aldous & sons and immediately joined the Colchester Oyster Fishing fleet.
In the winter of 1962 she was reaching the end of her working life and was moored near the oyster beds on the Blackwater, doing her duty as the guard ship, when disaster struck. On a very cold night in January, ice being borne on the tide, rapidly sliced its way through her pine planking, and her ballast and engine took her to the bottom.
Hilary Walker Posted: 8 months ago | Reply
Oh my god I've found her! She just came up in conversation on Saturday and I began to wonder what happened to her after the demise of the Exeter museum. Was hoping to find a photo!I had the absolute privilege of sailing on her a few times round about 1984, when my friend Ian Hill skippered her (he went on to work for Ocean Youth Club). I like sailing but I'm not a sailor - what a fantastic experience.
We sailed her almost right up to the lock gate at Turf Locks, and Ian said we were probably the biggest vessel to have sailed that far up in many years.
I lived in Exmouth at the time so did the canal bit too. Could have been 85 when we sailed her to Brixham for a survey, result of which was she had to be re caulked and re fastened. So saw her out of the water, keel and all.
Yes, I have loads of photos but right now they're somewhere in my parents house in Dawlish whereas I'm in Southern Spain right now!