There are a number of craft which have
been developed specifically for navigation
on marshland areas. Some, like the wherry, are specifically associated with certain
parts of the country. Others are found in many different areas.
The wherry, fine at the waterline
and rounded on the deck, was a heavy vessel.
Keel, stern and sternpost, as well as the frame, were made of oak. However, in
spite of its bulk, it could sail in shallow waters, even when fully loaded. The massive
mast was made from larch or pitch pine and was fitted to a tabernacle. It was
counterbalanced by cast iron and lead weights, weighing up to 1780 kg (3920 Ib),
so that it could be lowered for negotiating bridges. The sail, made up of more than
100 m2 (120 yd2) of canvas, was traditionally black, coloured by mixing coal tar,
herring oil and lamp black, which strengthened and preserved the material.
Wherries plied the rivers of the Norfolk
and Suffolk Broadland, carrying every
conceivable cargo.
Punts were also used and were of two types.
The marsh punt, used deep in the
marshland, was rather narrow and light in weight. Low in profile, it was clinker-built
and generally about 4-8 m (16 ft) long. A movable plank served as the seat. Two
means of propulsion were used: oars and a flat-capped punting pole, known in East
Anglia as a quant. The quant was made from larch and was between 3 and 3- 5 m
(10 and 12 ft) long. Punts were useful craft on the river and, if painted with tar, they
were very durable. They were used for transporting small amounts of marshland
vegetation, such as sedges, reeds and rushes, and also as more general
marshland runabouts.
Although ordinary marsh punts were used
for wild-fowling in marshland areas, a
variation, the gun punt, was used in more open areas of water, such as the lakes
and Broads, as well as around the coast. The gun punt was very narrow and double-
ended, with a low beam. Decking was a feature fore and aft, as well as on the
sides. On average, the punt was about 5-5 m (18 ft) long and the gun was mounted
forward. It was propelled by short oars or a quant, but a paddle was used as the
boat approached groups of wild fowl resting on the water.
The reed-lighteris a completely
open craft, with no seating and is used for carrying
reeds. There are three kinds: half, three-quarters and full load lighters. A full load
lighter has a 2-5 m (8-5 ft) beam and an average length of 7-6 m (25-5 ft). It can be
manoeuvred either with a quant or with oars. A full lighter is capable of carrying two
cartloads of reeds; the others ran carry proportional quantities.
