Whelkers
Bessie
Bessie is another Dunkirk Little Ship, and our next project.
We are very pleased to have acquired whelker Bessie from Trevor Farman in Yarmouth, from where she was delivered to Morston Quay by Abbey Transport Ltd on December 7th 2011.
Her history
Bessie is one of the last remaining Johnson-built whelkers. She was built in 1935 for the Cox family (G.H.Cox and Sons) who whelked with her out of Wells-next-the-Sea for 30 years, license number LN 16.
She is 26 ft long and 10 ft broad, built to the traditional double-ended design that was prevalent along the North Norfolk coast, and made of larch and oak with an inboard engine and an auxiliary dipping lugsail.
She was named after George Henry Cox’s wife, Bessie. Later, when the Cox family acquired three Liverpool-type ex-lifeboats she was retained as a reserve vessel. She was well regarded by the family and considered a fine sea boat.
Squeakie Bishop then bought her and used her for angling parties, first from Blakeney and then Gorleston, where she was used as a pleasure and fishing boat until acquired by Rescue Wooden Boats.
Harvester
October 31st 2015
Harvester is now being used afloat by a local family.
Whelker Harvester has been generously donated to Rescue Wooden Boats by Graeme Peart. She was built in 1951 by Emery of Sheringham and her first owner was Sid "Custard" Cooper. David Hewitt restored her for Graeme Peart as a pleasure boat and she now has a gaff rig. She needs some maintenance to get her back afloat.
Restoration on Harvester continues. David has taken out the engine in order to get to the keel bolts. The stern post had to be removed, as the bolts would not tighten due to rust. The aft apron needs attention and the engine will be serviced while out, and the drive plate will be checked.
See more photos of Harvester here
Take a look at some of our films featuring Harvester here
Sally
Wells Whelker. 28ft. Build 1939 for Jim Shrum by Reggie Emery. Later owned by Gully Grimes and worked by Tony Jordan. Now owned and skippered by Ben Riches in Wells-next-the-Sea.
Knot
Whelker. 26t. Build 1938 for Gerald Bullard as a pleasure boat by Reggie Emergy. From 1942 used by “Diddy” Cooper whelking from Wells-next-the-Sea.
Salford
Brancaster Whelker. 30ft. Built in 1950 for Alf Large by Worfolk Brothers in Kings Lynn. Now owned by Henry Chamberlain of Coastal Exploration Company in Wells-next-the-Sea.
Isobel
Brancaster Whelker. 26ft. Built 1938 for Cyril Loose by Reggie Emery. Now owned by David Parkinson of Fosdyke.