East coast Pilot Gigs

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Keith 66

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On page 117 of Edgar J Marche's book Inshore Craft of Britain in the days of Sail & Oar is a Photo of a six oared Lowestoft Pilot Gig the "Kapiolani". Does anyone have any info on these boats? I would like any information or photos to enable me to produce a set of lines and working drawings with a view to building a replica
 
It was an H. Jenkins photograph and is also reproduced in John Leathers 'Sail and Oar'.

I've done quite a lot of work on beach yawls (yolls) who also carried out pilotage - plus salvage/rescue. CB ought to carry a piece on beach yawls - fabulous things: up to seventy feet long, sand bag ballast and had a crew of up to thirty. One was timed at an average 16 knots and another challenged America after she'd won the Queens Cup.(Frank the Yank bottled the challenge when he saw the boat!) But I digress.

The colours on the oars were often used to indicate the Beach Company that owned the boat. Sea Palling was home to the Blue and the White company - and you've already guessed the colour of their oars. I assume this explains the patterns on the oar blades in this photograph.

Were not looking at an ordinary beach yawl - if such a thing existed and this is the only photo of a Lowestoft Pilot gig I've ever seen - although David Cobb did include a sketch of one in one of his books. At some point in ancient history, Trinity House sold pilotage rights to the Beach Companies. That may be a place to start looking.

Old Frank - on his own doorstep!
 
It might be worth looking at the Cornish Pilot Gigs - they sound similar. They have refined to a single design for racing round here. Based on a survivor from the 1800s based in Newquay. About 30' long, 6' beam, 6 oars - one man each - plus a cox. Some of them are fitted for sailing.
 
Re "Kapiolani" I will try Trinity House for info, It is likely that there is very little on these Gigs as they died out long before the Scilly isles gigs fell out of use
As for beach yoll's if i win the lottery! better buy a ticket.
 
Have you tried "East Coast Sail" by Hervey Benham? I read it a few years ago and I have a vague recollection of seeing something about them in there.
 
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