Reedlighter

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A reedlighter (also a reed lighter ) is a type of boat used on the Norfolk Broads in England. After WWI they almost became extinct, but in recent years a small number have been built to maintain traditional reed-cutting methods. The term is also used for other modern, shallow-hulled, boats used on the Broads.

Contents

Design

A beamy, shallow draft, open, clinker, double ended boat which could be rowed or quanted from either end and was mainly used on the northern waters of the Norfolk Broads, for transporting hay, 'marsh litter' (sedge) and reed for thatching, which was cut out on the marshes and then taken back to the staithes. [1] Reed was carried in the winter, and sedge in the summer. [2] The 20ft lighter, or 'load boat', could carry 600 'shoofs' (sheaves) of reed. For smaller loads and shallower dykes there were 'half load' and 'quarter load' boats while those used just for runabouts appear to have been called punts. [3]

Use

The load boats were taken up very shallow dykes and were loaded about 6ft high [4] and because they were double ended could be moved out without needing to turn around. After World War I the practice of cutting the marshes by hand with scythes was no longer economic. As the reed lighter had a pointed stern it was difficult to fit an outboard so they dropped out of use. [5]

Some new reedlighters, however, have been built for conservation work in the Broads. [6]

Examples of traditional reedlighters

The Museum of the Broads holds a small, unnamed 10.5ft ¾-load reedlighter, built in c 1920. [7]

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust have two reedlighters at their site at Hickling Broad: Swallowtail (H439, 22'5"), [8] [9] and Little Tern (E135, 30'5"). [10] Prince Charles travelled on a reedlighter during a visit to Hickling in 2001. [11] Norfolk Wildlife Trust also have a reedlighter called Damselfly (4S, 28'7") at Ranworth Broad. [12] Both Swallowtail and Damselfly were designed by Andrew Wolstenholme of Coltishall and built by Goodchild Marine of Burgh Castle. [13] Damselfly [14] and Little Tern are both motorised. [15]

Alderman Norman II (1591Y, 23'6"), a replica of Swallowtail, is a recent (2019) construction. [16] She is to be used for school boat trips at How Hill by the How Hill Trust. [17] How Hill Trust also have the older (1988) Alderman Norman (23'). [18] Both were funded by Alderman Norman's Foundation, a charitable foundation in Norfolk. [19]

Helen of Ranworth is a motorised reedlighter which runs a ferry route between Ranworth Staithe and Malthouse Broad. [20]

There is also a reedlighter called Reedlighter (25B, 20') which is privately owned. [21]

There are other non-traditional boats registered as 'reedlighters', but which perform a similar function. [22] [23]

Cultural references

Woodforde's Brewery at Woodbastwick in the Norfolk Broads make a pale ale called 'Reedlighter', named after the boat. [24]

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References

  1. ↑ Greenhill, Basil, and Mannering, Julian, Inshore Craft: Traditional Working Vessels of the British Isles (2013: Seaforth Publishing)
  2. ↑ "North Norfolk Reedcutters Association: The Reed & Sedge Harvest" . Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  3. ↑ Greenhill, Basil, and Mannering, Julian, Inshore Craft: Traditional Working Vessels of the British Isles (2013: Seaforth Publishing)
  4. ↑ "Broadland Memories: Reedlighter, 1903" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  5. ↑ Greenhill, Basil, and Mannering, Julian, Inshore Craft: Traditional Working Vessels of the British Isles (2013: Seaforth Publishing)
  6. ↑ Greenhill, Basil, and Mannering, Julian, Inshore Craft: Traditional Working Vessels of the British Isles (2013: Seaforth Publishing)
  7. ↑ "Maritime and Naval Museums in Britain and Ireland: Historic Vessels" . Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Canal Plan: Swallowtail, 50287" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  9. ↑ "Classic Boat Awards 2020: Alderman Norman II" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  10. ↑ "Norfolk Wildlife Trust Boat Trips 2019" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  11. ↑ "BBC News: Prince relives childhood trip, 29 November 2001" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  12. ↑ "Norfolk Wildlife Trust Boat Trips 2019" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  13. ↑ "Great Yarmouth Mercury: "New Craft Take to the Broads", 20 July 2009" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  14. ↑ "Canal Plan: Damselfly, 14865" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Canal Plan: Little Tern, 35070" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "Classic Boat Awards 2020: Alderman Norman II" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  17. ↑ "Classic Boat Awards 2020: Alderman Norman II" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  18. ↑ "Canal Plan: Alderman Norman 31524" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  19. ↑ "Eastern Daily Press: "New wooden boat to help youngsters explore Norfolk Broads", 10 June 2019" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  20. ↑ "Discover the Broads: Ranworth & Fairhaven Gardens" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  21. ↑ "Canal Plan: Reedlighter 9190" . Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  22. ↑ Workboat (W351; 24'), motorised. "Canal Plan: Workboat, 59776" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  23. ↑ Harry (A367; 16'), motorised. "Canal Plan: Harry, 31510" . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  24. ↑ "Woodforde's: Reedlighter" . Retrieved 31 December 2020.


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