Jon Baddeley
Specialist Consultant Collectors, Science & Marine
Lot 10
An important model of a Thames Waterman's Wherry,
22 September 2015, 13:00 BST
London, KnightsbridgeSold for £1,875 inc. premium
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Claire Tole-Moir
Head of Department
An important model of a Thames Waterman's Wherry,
Hull of varnished timber, clinker construction with internal ribs, stiffened with an internal strake. Raised saxeboard, fitted with six rowlocks, two pairs amidships and one stroke and bow (filled). A raised bow deck/boarding step and two internal floorboards with painted chequer pattern. Two rowing thwarts and stern backrest support, no backrest or passenger seating, or rudder survives. 15 1/2 ins (40cm) long x 4 1/2 ins (11cm) wide x 2 ins (6cm) high
Footnotes
A very rare example of the universal Thames passenger carrier until the 19th century. Possibly an apprentice piece, the plumb stern and broad beam for the customer seating, plus the long raked bow to allow stepping ashore dry-shod, are all distinctive. Often worked by one man, the additional rowlocks would enable extra oarsmen to be boarded if a long passage, or a speedy trip were demanded.
