The Britannia Sailing Trust (or go to the Trust’s Facebook page for up to date news) which is based in Winkleigh, Devon, cares for the last remaining Class 1 East Coast Smack.
The Trust has its annual celebration of Britannia’s original launch day (10th April 1915) this coming Sunday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm, with a ship tour, demos, workshop tour, refreshments and shanties by the 12 man shanty group, Mariners Away!
Entry is FREE, so if you’re looking for a great family day out this Sunday, why not head down to the Airfield Garage, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8EY to join in the fund and learn about a marine heritage project in action.
A Smack was a traditional fishing boat used off the coast of Britain and the Atlantic coast of America for most of the 19th century and, in small numbers, up to the Second World War. Large numbers of smacks operated in fleets from ports in the UK such as Brixham, Grimsby and Lowestoft, as well as at locations along the Thames Estuary. In England the sails were white cotton until a proofing coat was applied, usually after the sail was a few years old. This gave the sails its distinctive red ochre colour, which made them a picturesque sight in large numbers.
Britannia was built in King’s Lynn in 1914 and launched in 1915. It is currently undergoing extensive restoration in Winkleigh and due to be relaunched by its 100th anniversary.
For more information about the Britannia and the Trust’s renovation, please visit its website or its Facebook page for up-to-date news.
Many thanks to Vicki Samuels of The Britannia Sailing Trust for sending in details. Please forward details of the annual celebration of Britannia’s original launch day the Sunday afternoon to anyone in your networks who may be interested in going along.
