West Country Ketch

A West Country Ketch or a Tamar Ketch is a two-masted sailing Ketch, designed for carrying cargo from the South West England, predominantly from the ports of the River Tamar, to ports on the Celtic Sea, such as Cork.[1][2]

The Bessie Ellen at Brest, France

The West Country Ketch is a specialist type of ketch designed for the waters of the Celtic Sea. At the peak of nautical trading within this region there were up to 700 West Country Trading Ketches active, only three such vessels have survived to the modern day. This type of vessel is characterised by having a length between 75 ft - 120 ft, a depth of 10 ft and a beam of 20 ft. This type of vessel has a wide midship section, with a sharp bow and a rounded stern. These vessels can carry 75 - 100 tons in their holds. Its shape was very well suited to trading in the Celtic Sea.[3][4]

Surviving West Country ketches

See also
  •  Cornwall portal
  •  Devon portal
  •  Somerset portal

References
  1. Calstock Online Parish Clerk River Tamar Travel
  2. "Historic Plymouth ship to sail on transatlantic trade mission". Western Morning News. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  3. Ships monthly, Volume 17, Issues 10-12. Endlebury Pub. Co., 1982, pp. 21-22
  4. "Irene of Bridgewater". Classic Sailing. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  5. Bessie Ellen Entry in the National Historic Ships UK
  6. Garlandstone Entry in the National Historic Ships UK
  7. Irene Entry in the National Historic Ships UK

Media related to West Country Ketch at Wikimedia Commons

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