 Maud at Hardley Mill, River Yare. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Maud |
| Owner |
|
| Builder | D S Hall |
| Launched | 1899 |
| Out of service | Mid 1960s - 1999 |
| Homeport | Great Yarmouth |
| Status | Active as of 2010 |
| Notes | One of only two surviving trading wherries |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Wherry |
| Tonnage | 20 GT |
| Length | 60 ft 0 in (18.29 m) |
| Beam | 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m) |
| Depth | 4 ft 0 in (1.22 m) |
| Sail plan | Gaff-rigged |
Maud, along withAlbion, is one of only two survivingNorfolk trading wherries to be found on theNorfolkBroads.Maud was built in 1899, and served as a sailing wherry and later as alighter before being sunk in the mid-1960s as protection for part of the banks ofRanworth Broad. In 1981, she was refloated and taken toUpton where she was restored over a number of years, finally returning to the water in 1999. As of 2010,Maud is active on the Norfolk Broads. She is listed on the register ofNational Historic Ships in theUnited Kingdom, as part of theNational Historic Fleet.
Maud isclinker-built. She is 60 feet 0 inches (18.29 m) long, with a beam of 16 feet 6 inches (5.03 m) and a depth of 4 feet 0 inches (1.22 m). She is assessed as 20 GT.[1]
Maud was built by D S Hall ofReedham for Walter Bunn, a builder's merchant ofGreat Yarmouth. She carried general cargo and timber in connection with Bunn's business. In 1911, she was sold to the Yare and Waveney Lighter Co Ltd, ofNorwich and then in 1918Maud was sold to Hobrough's of Norwich. During Hobrough's ownership, she was dismasted and used as a barge in connection withdredging operations. In 1940, Hobrough was taken over by May, Gurney & Co Ltd. They usedMaud as a lighter until after theSecond World War, when she was fitted with aKelvin engine.[1]
In the early 1950s,Maud was damaged in an accident whilst loadingcoal at Norwich Power Station. Following this, she was replanked from the waterline up, with a new deck also being provided. May Gurney replaced their wherries with modern lighters in the early 1960s.Maud was sunk as a breakwater on Ranworth Broad in the mid-1960s, along with the wherryBell. In 1976,Maud was moved elsewhere within Ranworth Broad and was resunk. In 1981, it was decided to pile the riverbank whereMaud lay,[1] and she was given tomillwrightVincent Pargeter,[2] and his wife Linda,[3] on the understanding that the boat would be restored.[1]
Maud was taken toUpton,[3] where she restored over a period of 18 years, being returned to the water in her centenary year.[4] Restoration was assisted by grants from theBroads Authority and an appeal via theTransport Trust.[3] In 1996, she was added to the register of National Historic Ships in the United Kingdom.[1]
