CHARLOTTE ELLEN CK258
Built
Brightlingsea
Builder
Charles Kidby
Date
1906
Construction
Wood
Dimensions
L 43’
Description
Class II Fishing Smack
National Ships Registered No.
n/a
She was found, serving as a houseboat, in the early 1970s by John Rigby and an almost complete rebuild was carried out by John Milgate, assisted by Graham Elcock, at Peldon.
Unfortunately, she was lost to the sands of the estuary shortly into her new career. As a result, her garboards were sprung and a considerable amount of work was required to return her to sailing condition. She was subsequently bought by Souter Harris who campaigned her locally and around the South and East Coast with some success until 1999/2000 when a new owner came forward, James
She has been sailed hard over this period and certain parts of her structure were in need of attention in order for her to carry on to her 100th birthday. She has now been beautifully rebuilt and races successfully on the East Coast alongside other smacks
To be continued..