Key details
- Current boat name
- Peat Princess
- Boat class
- 7514
- Function
- Cargo
- Type
Dimensions and specifications
- Length (m / ft)
- 5.26 / 17ft 3in
- Beam (m / ft)
- 1.32 / 4ft 4in
- Leeward
- Keel
- Propulsion
- Pole
Design and build
- Designer
- Traditional
- Date of build
- 1960's
- Place of build
- West Hay
Current status
- Present use
- Museum/NMMC
History
PEAT PRINCESS was specially built for NMM by Stanley Baker of West Hay, Somerset. It represents a very old boat building tradition on the Somerset Levels and illustrates the simplest form of plank built flat-bottomed boat. The ends, locally known as ‘noses’, are kept as low as possible to minimise the effects of wind on the boat and make it easier to pole. It is poled by a special pole, locally called an oar. The floor timbers are called ‘hrungs’(which appears to be a variation of the old Norse ‘rong’, and the side frames are ‘drashels’, a word also used for a flail. The boat was purchased by NMM from the builder. October 2007