Cobles of the East Coast

This page brings together a number of sources of information concerned with the distinctive Cobles, many of which were designed to be launched off the gently sloping but often stormy beaches of the East and North East Coasts. We hope that the page will be of interest to those looking for more information about the boats themselves, and also to model makers. We welcome more information at TradBoat which we will be happy to add to this page - please email us at info@tradboat.co.uk

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An introduction to the Yorkshire Coble

Filey Cobles

These two hazy black and white photographs were taken in the early 50s, of the Coble Landing at Filey on the Yorkshire coast.

The fleet in the fifties and sixties

At that time the Coble Landing was home to perhaps twenty cobles, each with the distinctive deep forefoot, running off to sledge like lines aft and a transom stern on which was mounted a deep slim rudder. With the deep forefoot this helped to hold the boat to sea.
Originally under sail only, (usually a standing lug) several of the boats still had sailing gear aboard, but by this period (1950s) most were motorised; the shaft and propellor running in a tunnel protected by twin bilge keels (or drafts).

The fishery was a busy one, long lining and crabbing, supplemented in summer by trips around the bay and fishing for visitors.

Designed to launch into head seas.

The following series of photographs is of boats designed to be launched into considerable head seas from flat sands. These are Filey boats.

They have the typical deep forefoot, pronounced sheer and considerable tumblehome of the type. Twin bilge runners (drafts) run right aft.

This photograph also shows the flat, heavily raked transom and the attachment points at the end of the drafts to which towing slings are attached . Click on any photograph below for a larger version.

Click on any photograph for a larger version

Full forward, they are able to to rise to incoming surf at launch and recovery The wide strakes (planks) and hollow in the run are seen on most cobles.

Launch and Recovery

For both launch and recovery the, the boats are swung around to go head to sea, the upswept bow rising to meet the on coming surf. The boats are all kept ashore on lorry wheeled launching trolleys or cradles. Originally horses had been used for launch and recovery, both for the cobles and the Filey Life Boat, but by the fifties were tractor hauled, leaving distinctive skid trails on the smooth sandy beach. The same system operates today.

This group of photographs taken in 2003 shows a coble coming in from sea at low-ish tide, and being towed across the flat sands of Filey Bay to the Coble Landing, The surf was small on this day and recovery a straightforward job of dropping the boat on to its cradle, where is sits securely on the drafts.

Coming ashore
Click on any photograph for a larger version

Unloading

Variety in design

These Filey cobles represent the basic coble shape seen all the way up the East and North East coast.. However, the boats tended to be built by local builders to suit the conditions in which they were worked. Design varies from place to place and from builder to builder. Builders would also vary their basic design a little to suit the fisherman who might be working mainly in one part of the fishing trade, or have strong views about his boat!

The modern cobles often have a small wheelhouse forward, perhaps a half deck to shelter the engine, and gantries to support line haulers; both possible because there is now no sailing gear. It's interesting to compare these modern Filey boats with the black white photographs taken fifty years ago.

Click on any photograph for a larger version

Filey cobles 2003

The Filey coble Margaret has been restored fully further details are here

In contrast to the wide stretches of beach seen when the tide is down, here is a beautifully evocative photograph by Tony Green. This coble is coming ashore right at the foot of the landing on a cold November day. More of Tony's work and a series of coble photographs can be found at at FileyCAM

Robin Hood's Bay

When we visited Robin Hood's bay in the summer of 2007 we found that the cobles had gone and none were left on the landing at the foot of the narrow winding road which leads down to the sea. There were tow examples adjacent to the public car park at the the top of the hill.

Whitby Cobles in 2007

There are a number of cobles in harbour at Whitby for the most part tied up to the South wall of the inner dock. Many are larger cobles with the usual forward wheelhouse. There is a busy fishery here and long stacks of crab pots can be seen on the wall at both sides of the harbour.

Staithes Cobles in 2007

Although nothing like as numerous as they were in the past there are number of cobles at Staithes mostly moored in the river with two or three against the outer harbour wall. Unlike the Filey cobles these boats are kept afloat although at low tide the harbour dries and the river is reduced to a stream.

Other Sources

A big Bridlington coble

In contrast to the Filey boats this is Three Brothers; restored and to be seen under sail. She has less sheer than usual and so is much flatter to allow beam trawling as well as passenger carrying. Like the Filey boats, these Bridlington cobles had no keel, and were held up to the sea by very deep rudders, which could be unshipped in harbour, or on the beach, and used as gangplanks. Unlike the Filey boats they returned to harbour. Sixty years ago there were a great many sailing cobles in Bridlington, and the fishermen were extraordinarily skilful in handling them, with the final position against the pier being made by oar and a 30ft. boathook.

The Three Brothers was built in Bridlington by father and son Baker and Percy Siddall in 1912. It seems to be the last of the sailing cobles. Two other Bridlington cobles are now in Sunderland: the Kate & Violet and Kathleen. This photograph, taken during her restoration, provides some details of her massive construction. Click on the picture for a larger view.

This coble is cared for by the Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society - for more information click here.

Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society

The Coble Three Brothers

Bridlington Coble Preservation Society web site which carries additional photographs of Three Brothers together with older coble photos and a history of the builder. The Society, has taken over the running of the small harbour museum in Bridlington known as Harbour Heritage. The Three Brothers restored by Bridlington Harbour Commissioners and owned by them, is now leased to the Society and used as a working exhibit for the Harbour Heritage museum. Membership is welcome. The subscription rate is £5.00 p.a. for individuals, and enquiries about this, or visits to the coble, may be made at the Harbour Office.

Secretary: Lynne Fry, 3 Elma Villas,
Bridlington,   East Yorks YO16 4PA
Web: http://www.bscps.com    Email: lyndudkat@btopenworld.com

The Margaret at Filey

Today (2003) five of the big working boats are left at Filey, including the recently restored coble Margaret. Here she is with other cobles on the Coble Landing at Filey. Click on the photograph for a larger view.

The Filey Coble Preservation Society cares for the Margaret SH232
More details at : http://members.lycos.co.uk/Fileybay/coble.html

The Coble & Keelboat Society

The Society brings together all those interested in the working boats of the North East of England and has over 100 members in Britain, Europe and North America. Membership includes professional fishermen and amateur sailors, historians and ship modellers. All find the local boats - the traditional fishing cobles and the larger decked inshore trawlers (or Keelboats) for example, very attractive. CKS holds several meetings on the coast each year, publishes a journal three times a year and is always ready to help with queries about these craft.

Contact:
Edgar Readman, 20, The Green, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland TS12 1NF.
Web site: www.coble-keelboatsociety.org

Models and preserved Cobles at Hartlepool Historic Quay

Venue: Maritime Avenue, Hartlepool TS 24 0XN
Tel: 01429 223193 Web: www.thisishartlepool.co.uk

The Hartlepool Historic Quay is a serious source for those interested in these fishing boats. The museum has a selection of models illustrating the boats by type, well set out explanations of each type, plus three full size cobles on shore. Two of these are typical of the robust transom sterned types and one of these is displayed complete with rig in the museum building. Of the other two displayed on the quayside one is a double ended type.

(The Quay is also home to Trincomalee, (ex Foudroyant) in Jackson Dock, and the locally built paddle steamer Wingfield Castle. There are displays in a series of restored shops and store houses. We found it excellent, and the staff most helpful. Ed)

Model Coble Plan

A plan is available for a Northumbrian Coble at a scale 1" = 1ft, resulting in a model about 27" loa. It is published (2004) by Model Boats magazine. Go to www.modelboats.co.uk and quote plan number MM1040.

Phillip Bowker built a gold medal example of the boat - shown here - and his photographs are to be found at: www.pdbowker55.freeserve.co.uk Click on this photograph to see a larger version. He has now also completed a model of a Filey type - his photographs show the model at several stages of construction, and will be most useful as a guide to other model makers.

The Coble Sunshine c. 1880

This one is in the National Maritime Museum of Cornwall. Click here for details of this excellent new museum.

Books

Fishing Boats of Whitby & District

Gloria Wilson's excellent book provides a history of the coble, with photographs which span design and development from the earliest sailing cobles. Regretfully it is now (Spring 2005) out of print, but copies may be available in bookshops in Robin Hoods Bay - Murlee Stores, and Whitby - particularly the Whitby Bookshop and Holmans in Whitby, and elsewhere

Plans for home built cobles at 10, 12 and 15 feet (3,3.7 and 4.6m) are available from Selway Fisher Design. www.selway-fisher.com

Kits, in plywood using the stitch and glue method from these designs are available from Jordan Boats: www.jordanboats.co.uk