Speedwell (1901 Oyster Smack)
Location: Shoreham-by-Sea
www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/661/speedwell
History:
Designed and built by William King at Burnham on Crouch, complete with a 18 HP Dan marine spirit engine, making her the first motorised vessel on the east coast, and possibly in the UK. She is believed to be the only surviving east coast deep sea oyster smack.
Originally a gaff cutter fitted with one foresail rig, construction of Pitch pine planking on grown oak frames with a new 2 inch composite deck of iroko planks on marine ply. In 1908 she was registered as CK 314 by Smith Brothers of Burnham. In 1920 she was sold to The Whitstable Seasalter and Ham Oyster Co, converted to a ketch, and reregistered as F107. Speedwell worked as an oyster smack until 1967 when sold into private ownership and converted to a yacht, without changing her fundamental character.
Under later ownership a major refurbishment was carried out 1988-1991, during which new masts and spars, sails, rigging and fittings, deck and fittings, keel shoe, rudder, skin fittings, fastenings were installed, along with interior furniture including galley, toilet, and soft furnishings. In 1993 she was reregistered as a historic fishing vessel with her earlier fishing number of F107, and in 1995 a major engine overhaul was carried out, with new fuel tanks installed.
Speedwell was registered with National Historic Ships UK in 1996 and celebrated her 100th birthday in 2001 by winning the Festival of the Sea Race at Portsmouth.
Speedwell was cast in the recent film 'Vindication Swim' (2024), and features in the trailer.
Current condition:
Sold to the present owner in 2004. In 2014 the vessel had an accident on the slipway. Her main beam and parts of the frame were replaced in Shoreham Harbour. A survey was carried out at this time and Speedwell was moved to Chichester Marina for about five years where the boat was refastened and recaulked, the rigging was replaced and new mooring cleats installed. The deck rail supports were replaced and the two masts were varnished and she was repainted twice.
The interior work was started in Chichester but she was moved back to Shoreham before it could be completed. The owner has been trying to get the inside including the electrics finished but no work has been carried out since the pandemic (2019). Speedwell needs a lot of work. Currently moored at Sussex Yacht Club, Shoreham-by-Sea. Offers considered.
Please email info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk to be put in touch with the owner, or to arrange a viewing.
For further images and spec, please see the vessel record link at the top of the page.
Zone
South East