River Tamar Salmon Boat
Although many river salmon boats weren’t specifically built for that purpose and might have had other uses during their lives, some were built to simply fish the rivers. Those that did were similar through the southwest salmon rivers.
They were clinker-built vessels, shallow in draught, up to 20ft in length, capable of carrying three men and the net. They had to be easy to row and often by two men, as well as enabling the net to run out as they went.
A fine example of one of these vessels hangs in the National Maritime Museum, in Falmouth. ‘Old Stan’s’ boat was built in 1922 by James Goss of Bere Alston, the last vessel he built before the yard closed. It was fished from Cotehele Quay by Stanley Lansford for over 50 years.
A new 17ft boat was built by Stirling and Son in 2010 called Gloria Marcella for elder fisherman Alec Scoble who has fished the Tamar since the 1950s. The company was helped by Alec’s grandson Sam to continue the family tradition.
Built from dimensions given by Alec Scoble as no plans have ever existed (as was normal for all these small craft), some small alterations were made to the moulds made by Will Stirling after later advice from Alec Scoble. See HERE for view of construction.
If you would like to see the Author’s notes and sources, please download the PDF below.
If you would like to return to the list of boats, please click HERE