Hearts of Oak BW 40

Current boat name

Hearts of Oak BW 40

Boat class

7204

Sail number

BW 40

Function

Fishing and Hunting

Type

Length (m / ft)

10.06 / 33ft

Beam (m / ft)

3.12 / 10ft 3in

Leeward

Centreboard

Masts

1 Wood

Rig type

Gaff Cutter

Propulsion

Sail/engine

Designer

McLester J R

Date of build

1912

Place of build

Ulverston

Present use

Sailing

This Morecombe Bay Prawner was designed and built by John Randall McLester and was the last boat built in William White's yard at Ulverston in 1912. She was built for Peter Butler who was the Over Sands guide. He used the boat for both fishing and excursions associated with his guide duties. In 1922 HEARTS OF OAK was purchased as a pilot boat by Ulverston Ironworks. She was fitted with an engine from a Model T Ford and her name was changed to BARBARA. In 1938 she was transferred to Millom Ironworks as a pilot boat. During WW II she was used also for Air Sea Rescue in association with Haverigg aerodrome, and saved the lives of several aircrews. After the war, she was used by Alec Mellon and Jack Taylor for shrimp fishiing until she fell into disrepair and lay partially sunk near Haverigg. Eventually she was renovated by Jack Taylor and sold in the mid 1950's to Dennis Brown of Askam-in-Furness for fishing (register number BW 40). About this time she was fitted with a Petter semi-diesel engine. In 1964 she was sold to Ted and Frank Gerrard of Morecombe (register number LR 146) who fitted a shrimp boiler and fished her for almost ten years. In 1974 she was sold to John Dixon of Maryport, and re-registered MT 44. In 1982 she was moved to the Mersey by Kenny Hall and used for leisure trips. After one further owner, Dennis Wright of Llandudno, she was sold to David Pendleton in 1993 and raced in the Mersey Nobby races and in regattas in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. In late 1996 she was sold to Stephen Clarkson of Bangor, Northern Ireland who sold her in 1999 to the Ulverston Heritage Centre for £1. A major restoration, partially funded with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, was begun in 2005 carried out by Scott Metcalfe at Port Penryn, North Wales. She was re-launched in June 2007 - see article in Classic Boat 2008 APRIL page 36 January 2011 (Archive). Significance : Vessel that was designed, built and used for seventy years for fishing under sail in Morecombe Bay. Since been restored to original condition and is in the care of the Hearts of Oak Boat Trust.