Fly | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2152

Status Archived

a12admin

Details

Function Fishing Vessel

Subfunction Dredger

Location Arcachon Bay

Vessel type Essex Smack

Archive reason Overseas Watch List

Current use Private use

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Info required Yes

Construction

Built in 1842

Rig Gaff Cutter

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Sail

Primary engine type None

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

10.00 feet (3.05m)

Length: Overall

36.50 feet (11.13m)

Tonnage: Gross

7.50

History

Little is known about FLY's history, although she is believed to have been built in 1842. Her builder is unknown, but she has been a fishing boat all her life, working out of Maldon since the 1930s when she was owned by the Pitt family. She is thought to have been used by the water police at one time to patrol the oyster grounds. Re-built in the early 1980s, FLY is still sailing and remains in good all-round condition cruising French west coasts, between North Spain and French Brittany.

We are lacking information on this particular vessel. If you have any information on this vessel past or present, please contact us.

Key dates

1842
Built by an unknown builder in possibly Ipswich or Maldon as a Fishing Smack
1930
Bought by the Pitt family and used to fish out of Maldon
1980
Rebuilt in Maldon
2016
Vessel is in Brightlingsea, Essex in sailing condition