 Hathor at South Walsham Staithe | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Hathor |
| Owner |
|
| Builder | D S Hall |
| Launched | 1905 |
| Status | Active as of 2010 |
| Notes | One of only six surviving pleasure wherries |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Wherry |
| Tonnage | 23.01 GT |
| Length | 56 ft 0 in (17.07 m) |
| Beam | 14 ft 2 in (4.32 m) |
| Depth | 4 ft 0 in (1.22 m) |
| Sail plan | Gaff-rigged |
Hathor (1905) is one of only six survivingNorfolk pleasure wherries to be found on theNorfolkBroads. Like two of the other surviving wherries,Maud andSolace, she was built by Daniel S. Hall ofReedham.Hathor has been listed on the register ofNational Historic Ships in theUnited Kingdom since 1996 and is part of theNational Historic Fleet.[1][2]
Hathor was built in 1905 forEthel and Helen Colman, daughters ofJeremiah Colman andCaroline Colman of theNorwichColman's Mustard dynasty. Ethel later became the first female Lord Mayor of Norwich in 1923.[1] The wherry was namedHathor in memory ofEthel and Helen's brother Alan Colman who had died inLuxor in 1897 whilst on a convalescent trip with the family; they had travelled the Nile on a boat calledHathor.[3]
Hathor's interior was designed by architect Edward T Boardman, the husband of Florence Colman, sister of Ethel and Helen, and son ofEdward Boardman, a leading Norwich architect. The design was based on Egyptian hieroglyphics and mythology, which Boardman's partner Graham Cotman had sketched from originals at theBritish Museum.[2]
The cost of the basic wherry was £595; with an added £1057 spent on internal woodwork and £407 for other fitting out. TheHathor had cabins to sleep six, with extra accommodation for the skipper and steward, and made her maiden voyage on 2 August 1905.[2]
Hathor remained in the Colman/Boardman family until 1954 when she was sold toClaud Hamilton who owned her for almost 10 years. She was then sold on and used as a houseboat until 1985 when the Wherry Yacht Charter Trust purchased her in a dilapidated state and undertook an extensive two-year restoration.[1]
Hathor is currently in sailing order and fitted out to charter standard.[4]
Hathor isclinker-built. Her interior has anEgyptian theme designed byNorwich architectEdward Boardman (1833–1910), who was married to Florence Colman (another sister of Alan Colman's). She is 60 feet 0 inches (18.29 m) long, with a beam of 14 feet 2 inches (4.32 m) and a draught of 4 feet 0 inches (1.22 m). She is assessed as 23.01 GT.[1]Hathor has not been fitted with an engine and relies on wind andquanting for propulsion.[5]