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.
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]
Useedit
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]
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]
^"Woodforde's: Reedlighter". Retrieved 31 December 2020.
January 01, 1970
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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 1 Design 2 Use 3 Examples of traditional reedlighters 4 Cultural references 5 ReferencesDesign editA 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 editThe 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 editThe Museum of the Broads holds a small unnamed 10 5ft 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 editWoodforde s Brewery at Woodbastwick in the Norfolk Broads make a pale ale called Reedlighter named after the boat 24 References edit Greenhill Basil and Mannering Julian Inshore Craft Traditional Working Vessels of the British Isles 2013 Seaforth Publishing North Norfolk Reedcutters Association The Reed amp Sedge Harvest Retrieved 31 December 2020 Greenhill Basil and Mannering Julian Inshore Craft Traditional Working Vessels of the British Isles 2013 Seaforth Publishing Broadland Memories Reedlighter 1903 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Greenhill Basil and Mannering Julian Inshore Craft Traditional Working Vessels of the British Isles 2013 Seaforth Publishing Greenhill Basil and Mannering Julian Inshore Craft Traditional Working Vessels of the British Isles 2013 Seaforth Publishing Maritime and Naval Museums in Britain and Ireland Historic Vessels Retrieved 31 December 2020 Canal Plan Swallowtail 50287 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Classic Boat Awards 2020 Alderman Norman II Retrieved 1 January 2021 Norfolk Wildlife Trust Boat Trips 2019 Retrieved 1 January 2021 BBC News Prince relives childhood trip 29 November 2001 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Norfolk Wildlife Trust Boat Trips 2019 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Great Yarmouth Mercury New Craft Take to the Broads 20 July 2009 20 July 2009 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Canal Plan Damselfly 14865 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Canal Plan Little Tern 35070 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Classic Boat Awards 2020 Alderman Norman II Retrieved 1 January 2021 Classic Boat Awards 2020 Alderman Norman II Retrieved 1 January 2021 Canal Plan Alderman Norman 31524 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Eastern Daily Press New wooden boat to help youngsters explore Norfolk Broads 10 June 2019 10 June 2019 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Discover the Broads Ranworth amp Fairhaven Gardens Retrieved 1 January 2021 Canal Plan Reedlighter 9190 Retrieved 31 December 2020 Workboat W351 24 motorised Canal Plan Workboat 59776 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Harry A367 16 motorised Canal Plan Harry 31510 Retrieved 1 January 2021 Woodforde s Reedlighter Retrieved 31 December 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Reedlighter amp oldid 1188400303, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
