Built in Hartlepool as a six-plank pilot coble in 1900 she has survived the rigours of time and a watery grave.
The Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society (BSCPS) is living up to its name with the acquisition of this historic coble to restore and preserve. Prolonged negotiations have taken place between Hartlepool Borough Council and the Society to receive both the Venus and the Viking, a double-ended pilot boat, as museum transfers.
This will enable both vessels to be fully restored, regularly sailed and become part of the growing fleet of sailing cobles based in Bridlington harbour.
Venus is quite unique as a surviving pilot coble, one of the many that worked from Hartlepool during the 1800s and very early 1900s to take pilots out to incoming ships and guide them safely into the port.
They carried a crew of just two, the pilot and his assistant, or 'dog' as he was known.
Pilots worked from Hartlepool, Redcar and Seaton Carew as far back as the 1750's.
No comments:
Post a Comment