Bullhide coracle

Current boat name

Bullhide coracle

Function

Fishing and Hunting

Type

Length (m / ft)

1.38 / 4ft 6in

Beam (m / ft)

1.35 / 4ft 5in

Present use

Store

Beyond repair. Coracles were once made of willow covered with hide - they were very much heavier and needed more maintenance than those covered with calico or canvas. In many parts of the world hides are still used to cover boats. Some say that most of the hair would have been cut away from the hide to make the craft lighter when wet. In many parts of the world hides are still used to cover boats. This coracle was made by Mr Eustace Rogers of Ironbridge and has been presented to ISCA by Mr and Mrs Roderick James of Cornworthy, Totnes. Coracles date back to at least the time of the Roman Conquest and were (and still are in some places) used for fishing and ferrying people around and can be carried on a persons back by means of the leather thong fastened to the seat being held across the forehead or shoulders. Animal skin wrapped over top of boat, willow interwoven around tops of frames and animal skin over the top, held down by animal hair (sewn). Cross beam/thwart is 22.5 cm wide, 2 cm deep: The handle beam is 28 cm long, diameter 5 cm: there is also a leather strap (see drawing): LKB student report