Editing Norfolk wherry

{{Short description|Type of boat on The Broads in Norfolk, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{UBE|date=August 2024}}
[[File:Wherry Albion Ludham.jpg|thumb|Trading wherry ''[[Albion (wherry)|Albion]]'' near [[Ludham]]]][[Image:NorfolkWherryHathor.jpg|right|thumb|''[[Hathor (wherry)|Hathor]]'' on the [[River Bure]] near [[Horning]]]]

The '''Norfolk wherry''' is a type of [[sailing boat]] used on [[The Broads]] in [[Norfolk]] and [[Suffolk]], England. Three main types were developed over its life, all featuring the distinctive [[gaff rig]] with a single, high-peaked sail and the mast stepped well forward.

==Development of the wherry==
[[Wherry|Wherries]] were  sail and [[oar]] craft dating back to at least 1604.  These were small craft, in 1727 being of 8 tons net [[tonnage]].  They were still sail and oar boats, fitted with hoops and canvas [[:wiktionary:tilt#Etymology 2|tilts]] for the comfort of their passengers.  They would have provided a service carrying passengers and small perishable cargoes.  Alongside these early wherries were the bigger [[Keelboat#Historical keel-boats|keels]], which were [[Transom (nautical)|transom-sterned]] [[Clinker (boat building)|clinker-built]] barges with a square sail on a mast stepped amidships of about {{convert|54|ft}} by {{convert|14|ft}} and able to carry 30 tons of goods. The keel had been built since the [[Middle Ages]] and the design probably went back to the [[Viking expansion|Viking invasion]].<ref>{{cite journal |jstor=26057665 |language=en |title=The Viking Longship |journal=Scientific American |volume=278 |issue=2 |pages=56–63 |last1=Hale|first1=John R. |year=1998 |doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0298-56 |bibcode=1998SciAm.278b..56H}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_TD-AQAAQBAJ&q=keel++Viking+invasion |title=The Vikings in History |last=Logan|first=F. Donald |date=2013-11-05 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136527166 |language=en}}</ref> After 1800, the Norfolk Keel (or 'keel wherry') disappeared, partly because a wherry could be sailed with fewer crew, and it had limited manoeuvrability and lacked speed.<ref>{{cite book |last=Clark|first=Roy |title=Black-sailed traders: the keels and wherries of Norfolk and Suffolk |year=1961 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |oclc=12426898}}</ref>

==Types of wherry==
The 'Trading Wherry' developed from the Keel. It is double-ended, its hull painted black with a white nose to aid visibility after dusk. Most trading wherries were [[Clinker (boat building)|clinker-built]], but [[Albion (wherry)|''Albion'']], surviving today, was the sole example to be [[Carvel (boat building)|carvel-built]]. They carry a gaff rig, the sail historically also black from being treated with a mixture of tar and fish oil to protect it from the elements. The mast tops and wind vanes were often painted or shaped (respectively) to identify the wherry's owner - a traditional design is a 'Jenny Morgan', after a folk song character. Sizes varied, but many of these vessels would carry around 25 tons of goods. Wherries were able to reach larger boats just off the coast at [[Great Yarmouth]] or [[Lowestoft]] and take their cargoes off to be transported inland through the broads and rivers. The last trading wherry, ''Ella'', was built in 1912.

The 'Pleasure Wherry' evolved as railways took on the cargo business that had supported the traders.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=https://www.wherryyachtcharter.org/history-of-the-norfolk-wherries |title=Wherries: General History - Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=www.wherryyachtcharter.org |access-date=30 December 2023}}</ref> Enterprising owners realised that conversion to carry passengers was a way to replace the lost income, especially as the Broads were at the same time being discovered as a destination for tourism and recreation. Early examples simply featured hammocks and a stove in the hold of a trader, but boatbuilders soon began to make craft specifically for pleasure sailing and holidays, using the same hull and rig design but incorporating living quarters instead of a cargo hold. Some were fitted out to a very high standard indeed; for example, [[Hathor (wherry)|''Hathor'']], built for the Colman family (of mustard fame), features highly detailed marquetry in Egyptian designs below decks.<ref name="Hathor"/>

For some holidaymakers, the distinction between the working boats and pleasure wherries was not strong enough, and the sleeker and more genteel 'Wherry Yacht' was developed. The main distinguishing features are a smooth, white yacht-like hull and a large counter-stern providing a quiet seating area away from the [[sail winch]] and any [[quanting]] activity.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

Wherries came in different sizes, according to the [[river]] they used. The [[North Walsham and Dilham Canal]] Wherry was maximum {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}} x {{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}} x 3' 6". The [[River Ant]] Wherry was 50' x 12' max. The [[River Bure]] Wherry was 54' x 12' 8", but for the [[Aylsham]] Navigation, i.e. the upper reaches of the Bure, the boats had to be 12' 6" x 3' 6" maximum.

On the southern Broads, steam wherries were used. The [[River Waveney]] Wherry was 70' x 16' max.

The mast is pivoted with a large counterbalance weight at the bottom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wherryyachtcharter.org/wherryparts.php |title=Parts of a wherry – Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=www.wherryyachtcharter.org |access-date= |archive-date=26 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726060136/http://www.wherryyachtcharter.org/wherryparts.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> This enables the wherry to lower the mast for passing under bridges. The mast can be dropped, the wherry continues forward under its momentum and the mast is raised again on the far side by the crew of two. If there is no wind, or the wherry must be turned or otherwise manoeuvred, [[quant pole]]s are used to provide the required force.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wherryyachtcharter.org/sailingawherry.php |title=Sailing a wherry – Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=www.wherryyachtcharter.org |access-date= |archive-date=26 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726060156/http://www.wherryyachtcharter.org/sailingawherry.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A special wherry [[wheelbarrow]] was used to unload cargo, e.g. stone, from the wherries. It was made from wood and strengthened with iron bands. It had no legs, therefore it could be rested on the {{convert|11|in|mm|adj=mid|-wide}} planks on the side of the wherry.

==Survivors==
All types of wherry eventually became uneconomic to run, but a small number have been saved either by private individuals or charities. Most of the survivors can be seen sailing up and down the rivers and broads today, although some are awaiting full restoration.  Of the eight surviving examples of recreational and commercial sailing wherries, seven are on the National Register of Historic Ships. An eighth wherry listed on the Register is ''Jester'' a motorized ice wherry of 1923.

In April 2011, [[Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust]] opened their restored base in [[Wroxham]], where work on the restoration and maintenance of the [[Edwardian era|Edwardian]] pleasure wherry ''Hathor'' and wherry yachts ''Norada'' and ''Olive'' can be undertaken in all weathers. The site located at Barton House was part of a £1.5 million project.<ref>{{citation | publisher = EDP24 | place = UK | url = http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/wroxham_base_opened_for_wherries_restoration_1_870437 | title = Wroxham base opened for wherries restoration | access-date = 23 April 2011 | archive-date = 8 August 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110808200146/http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/wroxham_base_opened_for_wherries_restoration_1_870437 | url-status = dead }}</ref> As of Easter 2012, ''White Moth'' is also based here. ''Norada'' was officially relaunched after restoration in July 2012, while ''Olive'' celebrated similarly in July 2013. The [[Norfolk Wherry Trust]] keep trading wherry ''Albion'' at Forsythe Wherry Yard, off Womack Water at [[Ludham]]; trading wherry [[Maud (wherry)|''Maud'']] also berths here in the winter. ''Solace'' can usually be seen on Wroxham Broad in the sailing season, while ''Ardea'' is often seen at Southgates yard in [[Horning]].

{|class="wikitable"
|+Norfolk wherries<ref>{{citation | publisher = Wherry yacht charter (www.wherryyachtcharter.org) | url = http://www.wherryyachtcharter.org/others | title = Others.php}}{{deadlink|date=December 2023}}</ref><ref name="Hathor">{{citation |publisher=Wherry yacht charter (www.wherryyachtcharter.org) | url=https://www.wherryyachtcharter.org/hathor | title=Hathor |access-date=30 December 2023}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | publisher = Wherry yacht charter | url = http://www.wherryyachtcharter.org/olive | title = Olive |access-date=30 December 2023}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | publisher = Wherry yacht charter | url = http://www.wherryyachtcharter.org/norada | title = Norada |access-date=30 December 2023}}.</ref>
|-
!Vessel
!Type
!Built
!Notes
|-
|[[Albion (wherry)|''Albion'']]
|trading wherry
| 1898, Oulton Broad
| Owned by the Norfolk Wherry Trust. Available for charter.
|-
|[[Maud (wherry)|''Maud'']]
|trading wherry
| 1899 Halls of Reedham
| Under private ownership. Restored after being sunk for several years on Ranworth Broad.
|-
|[[Solace (wherry)|''Solace'']]
|pleasure wherry
| 1903 Halls of Reedham
|Under private ownership.
|-
|[[Hathor (wherry)|''Hathor'']]
|pleasure wherry
| 1905 Halls of Reedham
|Owned by Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust. Restored and relaunched in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/453/hathor |title=National Historic Ships Register: ''Hathor'' |website=www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ardea (wherry)|''Ardea'']]
| pleasure wherry
| 1927 Robinson of Oulton Broad
| Under private ownership. Spent more than 40 years in [[Paris]] as a houseboat; returned to Broads in 2005 and was restored to use by Phillip Davies in 2009 after extensive refurbishment.
|-
|[[Olive (wherry)|''Olive'']]
|wherry yacht
| 1909 Ernest Collins of Wroxham
| Owned by Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust. Available for charter.
|-
|[[Norada (wherry)|''Norada'']]
|wherry yacht
| 1912 Ernest Collins of Wroxham
| Owned by Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust. Available for charter.
|-
|[[White Moth (wherry)|''White Moth'']]
| wherry yacht
| 1915 Ernest Collins of Wroxham
| Available for charter (Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust). Extensively restored.
|}
Images of wherries can be seen on many pub signs and [[village sign]]s. There is also a [[mosaic]] of a wherry at [[North Walsham]], part of a special monument commemorating the Millennium celebrations.

==Cultural references==
*[[Arthur Ransome]]'s children's novel ''[[Coot Club]]'' (1934) depicts life on board a Norfolk wherry; ''[[Albion (wherry)|Albion]]'' was used for a [[BBC]] television adaptation of this book<ref>Christina Hardyment ''Arthur Ransome and Capt. Flint's Trunk'', 2006 {{ISBN|9780711226920}}</ref>
*The [[Wherryman's Way]] walking trail follows the route of the [[River Yare]] from Norwich to Great Yarmouth - a route traditionally used by wherries.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*''Black Sailed Traders'' &ndash; Roy Clark.
*''Wherries and Waterways'' &ndash; Robert Malster.
*''Albion; the Story of the Norfolk Trading Wherry'' &ndash; Martin Kirby/Norfolk Wherry Trust.

==External links==
*[http://www.wherryyachtcharter.org Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust - sailing and caring for ''Hathor'', ''Olive'' and ''Norada'']
*[http://www.wherryalbion.com/ The Norfolk Wherry Trust - Home of the ''Albion'']
*[http://www.wherrymaudtrust.org Wherry Maud Trust]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/4302632.stm Last wherry returns to new career] (BBC News article on '’Ardea'')
*[http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/gallery14444-.html National education Network gallery of Wherry pictures]
*[http://www.horning.org.uk/stylegallery.php?page=wherry Boats of the Norfolk Broads Style Gallery - Wherries]
*[http://www.black sailed traders]
{{Norfolk wherries}}
{{Sailing Vessels and Rigs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Norfolk Wherry}}
[[Category:Keelboats]]
[[Category:Norfolk Broads]]
[[Category:History of Norfolk]]