Coble
Thecobleis a type of opentraditional fishing boatwhich developed on theNorth Eastcoast ofEngland.[1]The southernmost examples occur aroundHull(althoughCookedrew examples at Yarmouth, see hisShipping and Craft[2] series of drawings of 1829); the type extends toBurnmouthjust across the Scottish border.
The distinctive shape of the boat — flat-bottomed and high-bowed— arose to cope with the particular conditions prevalent in this area. Flat bottoms allowed launching from and landing upon shallow, sandybeaches;an advantage in this part of the coast where the wide bays and inlets provided little shelter from stormy weather. However, fishermen required high bows to sail in the dangerousNorth Seaand in particular to launch into the surf and to land on the beaches. The design contains relics ofNorseinfluence, though in the main it showsDutchorigin.
A Scottish version of the coble, much shallower and beamier than the English type, serves for salmon-fishing off beaches nearArbroathandMontroseinAngus.These cobles have a less refined construction than their southern counterparts.Ghilliesemploy a smaller, better-built version forfly fishingon Scottish rivers.
Local boat-builders constructed theclinker-builtcobles locally as required, without the use of plans. The craftsmanship on many boats gave them a long working life. They had a reputation as dangerous to sail for an inexperienced crew, but in the hands of experts could move both safely and speedily.
Today[update],surviving cobles generally usediesel engines,removing the need for the distinctively shapedlug sail.In a further concession to comfort, atarpaulinshelter often covers the bow.
TheNorthumberlandcoastal village ofNewbiggin-by-the-Seahas a pub called "The Coble" named in tribute to these boats. A park, Coble Dene, in nearbyNorth Shieldsis likewise named after the vessel.[citation needed]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911)..Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 612.
- ^ Cooke, Edward William(1829).Sixty five plates of shipping and craft, drawn and etched by E. W. Cooke.London.
External links[edit]
- The Coble and Keelboat Society
- World of Boats at Eyemouth ~ Seahouses Coble
Example of a Northumberland, Seahouses coble named "Boy's Own" - built for Robert Rutter in 1933. - National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Example of Northumbrian coble "Sunshine" from ca 1880 - Yacht Design Database
NMMC also has an online database list of yacht designs mentioned in yachting magazines which includes several cobles - Portsoy Organisation for Restoration and Trainingproject to investigate and document the Scottish coble's construction andvideoabout the project
- Scottish National Dictionarydefinitions
- Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotlandregarding the "net and coble" method
