Session No.6

From the boats built to work actually on the Island to the ones built in the Colne and Tollesbury who were worked from the island. We would love to hear your connections and see any photos or papers that help to bring the people that were involved with them. By telling their stories once again and sharing their lives it means that the custodians of the vessels can learn more of the rich history connected to them and inspire more to get involved in their care to ensure they continue to exist for many generations to come. Our coastal communities are losing their obvious reason for why they existed in the first place. So many have only shadows of their working past now, it is important to record as much information as possible before the tales are lost forever. These heritage working vessels can be a key to unlocking the stories of our rich maritime history.

Over the past few weeks we have been uncovering many stories and learning more of the importance these simple working vessels had on the community of Mersea Island. This is just the beginning of our investigations and we really hope you will continue to join us as we learn more of their history.

This week we are having a round up of the information shared over the past weeks will be a great way to close this part of the project. Of course if you have information about a vessel that still exists, built in Essex before 1965 for the purpose of work that we have missed off the above list please do contact us at www.essexheritageworkboats.com. There is a facility to register more boats on the EHWB register page.

We will take a break in April however watch this space as we are popping up at the Mersea Island Museum Summer Exhibition 2025

Tea and biscuits available to share as always !