Fifie: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Sailing boat}} |
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| ⚫ | The '''Fifie''' is a design of sailing boat developed on the east coast of [[Scotland]]. It was a [[traditional fishing boat]] used by Scottish [[fishing|fishermen]] from the 1850s until well into the 20th century. These boats were mainly used to fish for [[herring]] using [[drift net]]s, and along with other designs of boat were known as herring drifters. |
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{{Use British English|date=December 2016}} |
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| ⚫ | The '''Fifie''' is a design of [[Sailboat|sailing boat]] developed on the east coast of [[Scotland]]. It was a [[traditional fishing boat]] used by Scottish [[fishing|fishermen]] from the 1850s until well into the 20th century. These boats were mainly used to fish for [[herring]] using [[drift net]]s, and along with other designs of boat were known as herring drifters. |
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==Design== |
==Design== |
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[[ |
[[File:Fifiesmall.gif|200px|left| A sailing Fifie, showing the main dipping lug and the mizzen standing lug.]] |
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Sailing Fifies had two masts with the standard rig consisting of a [[Mast (sailing)|main]] dipping [[ |
Sailing Fifies had two masts with the standard rig consisting of a [[Mast (sailing)|main]] dipping [[lug sail]] and a [[Mast (sailing)|mizzen]] standing lug sail.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.historyshelf.org/secf/silver/links/linke.php | title=Scottish Sail powered fishing boats | publisher=Historyshelf.org | access-date=22 March 2011 | archive-date=21 July 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721133550/http://www.historyshelf.org/secf/silver/links/linke.php | url-status=dead }}</ref> The masts were positioned far forward and aft on the boat to give the maximum clear working space amidships. A large fifie could reach just over {{convert|20|m|ft}} in length. Because of their large sail area they were very fast sailing boats. |
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Fifies built after 1860 were all decked and from 1870s onwards the bigger boats were built with carvel planking, i.e. the planks were laid edge to edge instead of the overlapping [[Clinker (boat building)|clinker style]] of previous boats. From about 1905 onwards sailing Fifies were gradually fitted with engines and converted to motorised vessels. |
Fifies built after 1860 were all decked and from the 1870s onwards the bigger boats were built with carvel planking, i.e. the planks were laid edge to edge instead of the overlapping [[Clinker (boat building)|clinker style]] of previous boats. The introduction of steam powered capstans in the 1890s, to help raising the lugs sails, allowed the size of these vessels to increase from {{convert|30|ft|m|2}} to over {{convert|70|ft|m|2}} in length. From about 1905 onwards sailing Fifies were gradually fitted with engines and converted to motorised vessels. |
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There are few surviving examples of this type of fishing boat still in existence. The [[Scottish Fisheries Museum]] based in [[Anstruther]], [[Fife]] has restored and still sails a classic example of this type of vessel named the ''[[Reaper (sailing vessel)|Reaper]]''. The Swan Trust in [[Lerwick]], [[Shetland Islands|Shetland]] have restored and maintain another Fifie, ''The Swan'', as a sail training vessel. She now takes over 1000 trainees each year, and has taken trainees to participate in the ''[[Cutty Sark]]'' [[The Tall Ships' Races|Tall Ships Races]] to ports in [[France]], [[Denmark]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Ireland]] as well as around the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. |
[[File:Isabella Fortuna 830820.jpg|thumb|Isabella Fortuna 830820]]There are few surviving examples of this type of fishing boat still in existence. The [[Scottish Fisheries Museum]] based in [[Anstruther]], [[Fife]] has restored and still sails a classic example of this type of vessel named the ''[[Reaper (sailing vessel)|Reaper]]''. The Swan Trust in [[Lerwick]], [[Shetland Islands|Shetland]] have restored and maintain another Fifie, ''The Swan'', as a sail training vessel. She now takes over 1000 trainees each year, and has taken trainees to participate in the ''[[Cutty Sark]]'' [[The Tall Ships' Races|Tall Ships Races]] to ports in [[France]], [[Denmark]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Ireland]] as well as around the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. The ''Isabella Fortuna'' is owned by the Wick Society. |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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<gallery> |
<gallery class=center> |
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<!-- Commented out: Image:Harbour027.jpg|A postcard showing the St. Abbs fishing fleet of Fifies putting to sea. --> |
<!-- Commented out: Image:Harbour027.jpg|A postcard showing the St. Abbs fishing fleet of Fifies putting to sea. --> |
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Image:Harbour045.jpg| A sailing Fifie, lying in [[St. Abbs]] Harbour. This postcard illustrates the vertical stem and stern of the Fifie design. |
<!-- Commented out: Image:Harbour045.jpg| A sailing Fifie, lying in [[St. Abbs]] Harbour. This postcard illustrates the vertical stem and stern of the Fifie design. --> |
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Image:Fifie_drifter_Reaper.JPG| The restored sailing Fifie, ''Reaper'' visiting [[St Andrews]] in Fife. |
Image:Fifie_drifter_Reaper.JPG| The restored sailing Fifie, ''Reaper'' visiting [[St Andrews]] in Fife. |
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Image:Reaper Anstruther.jpg| ''Reaper'' in her home port of Anstruther |
Image:Reaper Anstruther.jpg| ''Reaper'' in her home port of Anstruther |
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* [http://sites.scran.ac.uk/secf_final/silver/index.php The history of herring fishing on the east coast of Scotland] |
* [http://sites.scran.ac.uk/secf_final/silver/index.php The history of herring fishing on the east coast of Scotland] |
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* [http://www.scotfishmuseum.org/ Scottish Fisheries Museum] |
* [http://www.scotfishmuseum.org/ Scottish Fisheries Museum] |
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* [http://www.swantrust.org.uk/ The Swan Trust] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090530040707/http://www.swantrust.org.uk/ The Swan Trust] |
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{{Sailing Vessels and Rigs}} |
{{Sailing Vessels and Rigs}} |
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{{fisheries and fishing}} |
{{fisheries and fishing}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1850s establishments in Scotland]] |
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[[Category:Vehicles introduced in the 1850s]] |
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[[Category:Sailboat types]] |
[[Category:Sailboat types]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Types of fishing vessels]] |
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[[Category:Fishing in Scotland]] |
[[Category:Fishing in Scotland]] |
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[[Category:Ships of Scotland]] |
[[Category:Ships of Scotland]] |
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[[Category:Scottish design]] |
[[Category:Scottish design]] |
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[[Category:Sailing in Scotland]] |
[[Category:Sailing in Scotland]] |
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[[Category:1850s establishments in Scotland]] |
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[[Category:Traditional boats]] |
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Latest revision as of 07:35, 3 February 2024
The Fifie is a design of sailing boat developed on the east coast of Scotland. It was a traditional fishing boat used by Scottish fishermen from the 1850s until well into the 20th century. These boats were mainly used to fish for herring using drift nets, and along with other designs of boat were known as herring drifters.
Design
[edit]While the boats varied in design, they can be categorised by their vertical stem and stern, their long straight keel and wide beam. These attributes made the Fifies very stable in the water and allowed them to carry a very large set of sails. The long keel, however, made them difficult to manoeuvre in small harbours.
Sailing Fifies had two masts with the standard rig consisting of a main dipping lug sail and a mizzen standing lug sail.[1] The masts were positioned far forward and aft on the boat to give the maximum clear working space amidships. A large fifie could reach just over 20 metres (66 ft) in length. Because of their large sail area they were very fast sailing boats.
Fifies built after 1860 were all decked and from the 1870s onwards the bigger boats were built with carvel planking, i.e. the planks were laid edge to edge instead of the overlapping clinker style of previous boats. The introduction of steam powered capstans in the 1890s, to help raising the lugs sails, allowed the size of these vessels to increase from 30 feet (9.14 m) to over 70 feet (21.34 m) in length. From about 1905 onwards sailing Fifies were gradually fitted with engines and converted to motorised vessels.
There are few surviving examples of this type of fishing boat still in existence. The Scottish Fisheries Museum based in Anstruther, Fife has restored and still sails a classic example of this type of vessel named the Reaper. The Swan Trust in Lerwick, Shetland have restored and maintain another Fifie, The Swan, as a sail training vessel. She now takes over 1000 trainees each year, and has taken trainees to participate in the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races to ports in France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland as well as around the UK. The Isabella Fortuna is owned by the Wick Society.
Gallery
[edit]-
The restored sailing Fifie, Reaper visiting St Andrews in Fife. -
Reaper in her home port of Anstruther
References
[edit]- ^ "Scottish Sail powered fishing boats". Historyshelf.org. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
External links
[edit]- The Reaper - The Boats that Built Britain - Tom Cunliffe
- The history of herring fishing on the east coast of Scotland
- Scottish Fisheries Museum
- The Swan Trust
