At long last, the houseboat has attained a tender boat with the unofficial, ominous name THE BLACK PIG. She was previously kept by a gentleman at Potter Heigham. The aged sixteen foot open launch was designed originally as a sea worthy ship's jolly boat. She was built of glass reinforced plastic over thirty years ago.
Much of her styling is hidden under decades of additions and thick black tar varnish, applied when used by an eel catcher on the River Thurne. When renovated she will be put into service towing, ferrying and other activities.
Jolly boats or ships' long boats are one type of ship's boat, developed from the middle ages. They would be used under oar or sail and later were fitted with engines. The origin of the name 'jolly' is uncertain, although it is has been recorded through the centuries. Mark Twain wrote about 'yawl boats' on the Mississippi and they appear in Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, Treasure Island.
Andrew and Chris
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