Tale of Two Hulls

Lettie first touched water in the Essex River of Essex, Massachusetts in 1893.  Her  hull  (125′ loa x 21′ x almost 11′ draft)  evolved through scores of  schooners pre-dating her to operate in the Atlantic fishery.

In 1885 Pioneer (102′ x 22 x 4.5′) launched into the Delaware River, shoal-draft to allow hauling sand off beaches to greater Philadelphia’s foundries.  A large centerboard can drop to 12′.

Today wood-hulled Lettie carries two

engines, whereas

the iron (now mostly steel) hull of Pioneer carries only one.

The hull lines reflect the difference in habitat:  Lettie has cleaved many sea miles of rough blue water, slicing through waves and rollers, whereas

Pioneer has slid onto and then back off sandy beaches, gliding there almost as on water.

I love looking at hulls on the high and dry.  If you have kids, see if they like Wreck of the Zephyr.  I like reading it to grandkid since it gives me an excuse to look at the art.

All fotos here by will Van Dorp.  Lettie fotos from March 2009; Pioneer fotos from over a year ago.

Unrelated:  Check out the youtube here that Harry sent along of Allie B & Goliath headed for sea at the start of its 6000-mile journey.  Great speeded-up video and haunting music.    ETA in Gibraltar:  before April 1.