Essex oyster smacks Charlotte Ellen CK318 and Dorothy CK159 off West Mersea in the Blackwater Estuary, Essex, UK
Essex sailing smacks developed in the 9th century in the industry which grew up on the native flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, the native flat oyster once found in huge quantities in the Essex creeks. Exploited since Roman times, the native oyster was by the 18th and 19th centuries nutrition for the masses. Of million oysters (2250 tonnes) landed in the UK in 1914, 89% were from Essex and Kent. Technology developed, reaching its final sail-powered refinement with the smacks, the survivors among which are so beloved of wooden boat enthusiasts today.
Size: 4288px × 2848px
Photo credit: © John Worrall / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: blackwater, boat, boating, boats, calm, charlotte, ck159, ck318, coast, coastal, dorothy, edulis, ellen, england, essex, estuary, heritage, history, north, ostrea, oyster, oysters, sail, sailing, sea, smacks, sunny, uk
