Girl Barbara

Current boat name

Girl Barbara

Boat class

7347

Function

Fishing and Hunting

Type

Length (m / ft)

8.53 / 28ft

Beam (m / ft)

2.59 / 8ft 6in

Leeward

Keel

Masts

1 Wood

Rig type

Gaff Cutter

Propulsion

Sail/engine

Date of build

1925

Place of build

West Mersea

Built by Wyatt at West Mersea in 1925 as the GIRL BARBARA: a 28ft smack. Fitted with an engine and initially used as a oyster dredger. For further details see NRHV DNMC's Vref 1499 November 2009 GIRL BARBARA, motor fishing vessel. Official number A19520. Port of Registry CK63. Built by Wyatt at West Mersea in 1925. LOA 28ft, MB 8ft 6in DR 3ft 3in, 3.01 tons. Hull is clinker built of larch on oak frames, fastened with copper nails and roves. Hull has a pointed bow with plumb straight stem and counter stern. Current engine is a Lister 2cy 16hp diesel. Fitted out in 1925 with cut down rig and engine to dredge oysters from Mersea. Rigged as a cutter during the war and worked continuously under Colchester registration CK 63 until late 1980s. Then was used as an angling boat until 1988. Then re-registered as MN46 and now works part time as an inshore netting boat. Hull is in fair working condition. Keel was replaced some years ago, some planking replaced, new gunnel and fore deck, now fitted with aft wheelhouse. SIGNIFICANCE: Few fishing vessels from this date in this area have worked continuously, and stay fairly original none the less. Source: Present Owner 1998. OWNER: Christopher Papworth, 2 High Street, Kelvedon, Essex CO5 9AG