News

New life for Norfolk wherry

Onging work to restore the Wherry Albion under cover at Ludham.Maynard Watson working on the "tabernacle knees" on the wherry which were replaced with new oak.

As makeovers go it has taken a while. But when you are 112 years old it demands more than a bit of boatbuilding Botox to keep your iconic figure in tip-top condition.

The grand old lady of the Norfolk Broads, the wherry Albion, has been undergoing a major overhaul that has lasted 10 years and cost £200,000.

During that time her backbone has been straightened out and strengthened, her thick oak skeleton framing and planking skin replaced - and most recently two new “knees” added.

As the finishing touches were put to this winter's work, supporters of the well-known boat say Albion is as ship shape now as when she was first launched in 1898.

She has been in the care of the Norfolk Wherry Trust since 1949. That was when enthusiasts stepped in to save one of fast-disappearing vessels that were turning into transport dinosaurs and facing extinction - as trains and trucks took their cargoes on to the roads and rail.

At the trust boatyard, in Ludham, the historic vessel currently sits with her hatches and mast stripped off to let the air and workers get to her.

The biggest project this winter was replacing two giant “tabernacle knees” which support the 2½-tonne mast. They have been fashioned from a piece of 200-year-old oak by master shipwright Maynard Watson, who has been at the helm of Albion's 10-year revamp.

Two years ago the oak keel had to be replaced having gained a banana-like bow from Albion's change of workload.

“Instead of 40 tonnes of sugar beet she was carrying half a dozen passengers,” he explained. It left the Albion dipping at each end, because there was a heavy mast at the front, a giant rudder at the other, and nothing in between.

The wooden keel was replaced by a metal girder, which saw her body flex back 12 inches in the middle within a fortnight.

Other major repairs in recent years included replacing thick wooden framing which had “gone soft” - or rotted in layman's terms - in places.

The bill for Albion's repairs are paid through her supporters, with no help from grant or lottery funding.

One of her skippers, Henry Gowman said: “We have 640 members and dozens of supporters. When we put out a call people very quickly dip into their pockets to keep the old girl going.”

Albion will get her mast back on April 14, and be “ready to go” for another season of charter trips.

To find out about travelling on the Albion, on short and long sailing trips, contact the Trust's charter secretary Stephanie Gowman on 01508 470992 email albioncharter@btinternet.com or visit the website www.wherryalbion.com

Are you involved in a major restoration project? Call Evening News reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk