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| WHERRY YACHT CHARTER CHARITABLE TRUST |
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| TRADING WHERRIES |
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The trading wherry was the original Broads wherry and the workhorse of the Norfolk and Suffolk waterways for centuries. Hundreds of wherries could be seen on the Broads during their heyday of the 19th century.
The development of the trading wherry was driven by the need to transport many materials (such as coal and timber) around the Broads and to and from sea-going vessels at Great Yarmouth. The earliest wherry type vessels were square-rigged 'keels' which were similar in design to boats dating back to the Viking era. Improvements influenced by Dutch sailing craft were carried out over time by moving the mast forward and including a gaff rig. The wherry had now evolved.
Trading wherries are characterised by their large sails, blackened with tar and herring oil for protection. The factories and heavy industrial areas the trading wherries frequented would not allow light coloured sails to stay in good order for long, nor would a cargo of coal. Their hulls are also black, with a white prow, although the upper decks were often colourfully painted. The two surviving trading wherries are Albion (pictured) and Maud.
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| PLEASURE WHERRIES |
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It was during the holiday seasons at the end of the 19th century that enterprising wherry owners first began to convert their craft for simple pleasure cruises. After the season ended they would remove the fittings and replace the black sail ready for trading again. For some this became permanent to allow luxurious fixtures and fittings which could attract more discerning holiday-makers. This step was heavily influenced by the railways. Trains were beginning to replace some wherry trading routes and carry more and more visitors from the cities. Soon pleasure wherries were being built purely for the purpose of cruising on the Broads. They were very popular in Edwardian times and some were lavishly fitted and often incorporated luxury items such as baths and pianos.
Pleasure wherries are almost identical in shape and rigging to trading wherries. They have the same black hull with a white prow and are easily spotted from a distance by their large white sails. The picture here shows our own Hathor - a fine example of a pleasure wherry. Other surviving pleasure wherries include Solace and Ardea.
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| WHERRY YACHTS |
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Driven by the growing tourism industry, wherry yachts were designed to be more suited to pleasure cruises than the pleasure wherry, which was still based on a trading wherry's exterior layout. The manoeuvrability, speed, comfort and aesthetics of the wherry were improved by this final evolution of the wherry. Generally smaller than other wherries, the Wherry Yacht was built with an elegant white hull which was usually carvel-built and smooth. They have large decks and counter-sterns which are perfect for comfortable seating. This keeps the tourists away from noise and water that may be caused by winching the sail or quanting. Often fitted with engines, wherry yachts are able to cover much more distance in a day than other wherries. Our own Norada (pictured with many people enjoying the view from her counter-stern) and Olive are two similar wherry yachts built by Ernest Collins. The other surviving wherry yacht is White Moth
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Registered Charity: No. 1096073
http://www.wherry.34sp.com/types.html
Updated 09/01/2006 by the
WYC Webmaster
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Which Type? |
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Wherry Yacht Charter's fleet includes the Pleasure Wherry Hathor and two Wherry Yachts: Olive and Norada. |
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