The Intriguing History Of A Smack Boat

A smack is a type of traditional fishing boat used off the coast of Britain and America in the 19th century and, in smaller numbers, up until the Second World War. They were also used in the Faroe Islands until around 1920. Smacks were often used for oyster fishing, particularly in the Essex estuaries and the North Sea, and were also used to transport live lobsters. The boats were rigged with two or three sails on loose masts and varied in size, with some being lengthened to 80 feet.

Oyster smacks

An oyster smack is a type of boat that was once commonly used for oyster fishing. These vessels are typically characterised by their flat bottom, shallow draft, and centreboard or leeboard. The design of oyster smacks allowed them to operate in the shallow waters where oysters are often found. They were also designed to be easily manoeuvred and handled by a small crew, making them ideal for oyster fishing.

The design of oyster smacks could vary depending on the region and the specific requirements of the local oyster beds. Oyster smacks used in certain regions may have had unique design features to suit the local conditions, such as a longer keel or a deeper draft to handle stronger tides and currents.

Over time, the design of oyster smacks evolved with technological advancements and changes in regulations. The introduction of engine power, for example, transformed oyster smacks into more powerful and efficient vessels. However, in the present day, oyster smacks have been largely replaced by more modern boats. They remain a significant part of the history of oyster fishing and the development of the oyster industry.

History of smacks

A smack was a traditional fishing boat used off the coast of Britain and the Atlantic coast of America for most of the 19th century and, in small numbers, up to World War II.

Smacks were used to bring fish to market and were designed to transport live lobsters. They were developed in the late 1700s and featured a tank with holes in it that allowed seawater to circulate, keeping the lobsters alive.

A well smack was a type of smack used in the United Kingdom and the Faroe Islands between the late 18th century and around 1920. It had a well amidships that was filled with circulated external water, keeping the fish alive until they were sold. Between 1775 and 1875, a "well smack" referred to a 50-foot gaff cutter used for long-lining cod, ling, turbot, and other bottom-living sea fish. From 1875 to 1920, they were extended to 80-foot gaff ketches.

Smacks were often large, with many originally being cutter-rigged sailing boats until about 1865 when their size made the cutter main booms unhandy. The larger smacks were then lengthened and re-rigged, and new ketch-rigged smacks were built, although boats varied from port to port. Some boats had a topsail on the mizzen mast, while others had a bowsprit carrying a jib.

Smacks operated in large numbers from ports in the UK, such as Brixham, Grimsby, and Lowestoft, and along the Thames Estuary. The sails were white cotton, which was later coated, giving them a distinctive red ochre colour. During World War I, smacks were used in British coastal waters as Q ships. An example of this is the action of 15 August 1917, when the armed smacks Nelson and Ethel & Millie engaged a German U-boat in the North Sea.

Some old smacks have been re-rigged into ketches and are now used as training boats, while others are preserved in museums or used as floating museums.

Design and rigging

A smack is a traditional fishing boat used off the coast of Britain and the Atlantic coast of America in the 19th century and in small numbers up until World War II.

Smacks were typically gaff-rigged, with a gaff cutter or ketch design. The gaff-rigged mainsail sits further aft than a Bermudan rig, with the gaff raised in line with the boom. The mainsail is raised until the jaws are at their highest point, and then the gaff peak is fully raised. The mainsail is then tensioned using a hardener – a purchase system with attachments at either end.

Smacks were often large, heavy-hulled boats with a draught of two fathoms and buoyancy fore and aft. They were fully decked, with a bowsprit that extended almost half the length of the hull again. The mast was relatively short and sat quite far forward. The sails were originally white cotton, but were later treated with a proofing coat, giving them a distinctive red ochre colour.

Smacks were designed with a well amidships, which could be filled with circulated seawater to keep fish alive. Augur holes were drilled in the sides of the hull to allow water to flow in and out, re-oxygenating the water and keeping the fish fresh. The well could also be used to transport live lobsters.

Smacks had a variety of sails, including a topsail, working sail, jib topsail, stay sail, and water sail. The sails were set using spars or free-flying. The bowsprit helped to balance the boat, with two headsails that could be flown from it. The mast was often raked forward to improve balance and provide better sail effort.

Smacks required a great deal of skill and understanding of sail control and balance to sail effectively. The long keel and small rudder made manoeuvring challenging, especially at low speeds. The overhanging spars, however, provided greater sail area fore and aft of the keel, improving manoeuvrability at low speeds.

Use in warfare

A smack was a traditional fishing boat used off the coast of Britain and America throughout most of the 19th century and, in smaller numbers, up to World War II. They were also used in British coastal waters during World War I as Q ships.

Smacks were used as early as World War I as Q ships, or decoy ships, in British coastal waters. One notable engagement involving smacks took place on 15 August 1917, when the armed smacks Nelson and Ethel & Millie confronted a German U-boat in the North Sea. The Nelson was sunk during this battle, and its skipper, Thomas Crisp, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his valour.

Another remarkable incident occurred earlier in the war, when the HM Armed Smack Inverlyon, commanded by Ernest Jehan, sank the German U-boat UB-4. This unique episode marked the only instance of a wooden sailing vessel successfully taking down a modern steel submarine.

Smacks were well-suited for use in warfare due to their sturdy construction and manoeuvrability. They were often modified and armed with weaponry, becoming effective tools in the defence of coastal areas. Their relatively small size and agility made them ideal for patrolling and surveillance operations, particularly in shallower waters or confined spaces.

During World War I, smacks played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare, as evidenced by the actions of the Nelson and Ethel & Millie, and the HM Armed Smack Inverlyon. Their use as Q ships also demonstrates the strategic value of deception and surprise in naval warfare.

While the specific details of their armament and modifications are not readily available, it is reasonable to assume that smacks were outfitted with weaponry suitable for engaging enemy submarines and surface vessels. This could include cannons, depth charges, or other naval artillery.

In summary, the use of smacks in warfare, particularly during World War I, showcases the adaptability of these vessels and their contribution to naval tactics and operations. Their involvement in pivotal engagements underscores the importance of smaller, agile ships in coastal defence and anti-submarine warfare.

Modern-day smacks

Smacks were traditionally used as fishing boats in the United Kingdom, the Faroe Islands, and the Atlantic coast of America until around the 1950s. While their professional fishing days are over, some smacks have been preserved in museums or used as floating museums, training boats, or racing boats.

In the United Kingdom, some old smacks have been re-rigged into ketches and are now used as training boats for young sailors. The Excelsior, built in Lowestoft in 1921, is an example of a preserved smack that operates as a sail-training vessel. The Britannia, built in King's Lynn in 1914, is undergoing restoration in Devon and will be used as a sail-training vessel operating out of Cornwall.

In the United States, the Emma C. Berry is a well-smack boat that has been preserved in New England.

In addition to being used as training and racing boats, some smacks have been converted into leisure vessels. For example, the My Alice, an oyster smack that races regularly in the East Coast region of the United Kingdom, was restored by boat builder Jim Dines over nine years. The restoration included replanking the boat, rebuilding the keels, sternpost, deadwoods, keelson, and stem, and fitting a new deck.

While the traditional use of smacks as fishing boats may have ended, their legacy continues through their preservation and use in sailing communities around the world.

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