Mount’s Bay Driver
The West Cornish (west of the Lizard) tended to call their luggers drivers, obviously from the practice of driving (drifting) for mackerel. Some also did in St. Ives, it’s fair to mention! Unlike the St. Ives fishermen, those from Mount’s Bay were able to make use of the harbours such as tidal Mousehole, Newlyn, Penzance and Mullion where there was protection so that, with the tide ebbed, the boats could sit happily with their legs. Hence the shape of those boats was finer although they retained the double-endedness. Being finer boats they were, of course, faster, but the St. Ives boats lasted longer because of their stronger build.
The larger mackerel drivers were fully decked, and much stronger. Lengths varied according to needs, but an average boat was, say, 40ft overall. Keel length, then, would be 37ft, beam 12ft and depth 6ft. These boats would cost approx £200. Towards the end of the century some of these vessels were over 50ft overall, and would have cost £600 with all the gear, nets and sails. Mount’s Bay boats tended always to be bigger than St. Ives boats.
Sources: 2, 9
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