A Brief Background of the Charlotte Ellen
The Charlotte Ellen was built as an Oyster Smack in Brightlingsea in 1906 by a shipwright called Kidby.
She was found, serving as a houseboat, in the early 70’s by John Rigby and an almost complete rebuild was carried out by John Milgate, assisted by Graham Elcock at Peldon.
Unfortunately, she was lost to the sands of the estuary shortly into her new career. As a result, her garboards were sprung and a considerable amount of work was required to return her to sailing condition.
She was subsequently bought by Souter Harris who campaigned her locally and around the south and east coast with some success until 1999/2000 when the present owner, James Bardrick, took up ownership.
She has been sailed hard over this period and certain parts of her structure were in need of attention in order for her to carry on to her 100th birthday. James has undertaken the mammoth task of restoring her centre line, deck and deckshelf and powerplants, both mechanical and windpowered, to there former glory. This work will be ongoing in Tollesbury Saltings yard under the expert eyes of Cakey Drake and Mouse Green over the next season.
The Charlotte Ellen arrived in Tollesbury on the 25th April 2001 for her refit.
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Charlotte Ellen arrives in Bontins Creek at the top of a very high spring, steered by Yum, with Bonz acting as pilot, and is moored alongside the Christians Yard (Tollesbury Saltings) to await the removal of her rig and the arrival of a crane to lift her onto dry land.
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Cadmans crane arrives on 25/04/01 to lift Charlotte out. Strops had been put under her earlier in the day and a ton and a half (approx) of lead removed from her bilges. The crane lifted her without drama, recording a weight of about 15 ½ tonnes and swung her onto dryland where she now rests awaiting the ministrations of Cakey (Paul Drake) and Mouse (Trevor Green).
Beginining of June the work now tarts on Charlotte.
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With the Charlotte Ellen safely propped, Cakey has now started work, his first task being to remove the decks, followed by the covering boards and bulwarks in order to gain access to the deck beams and beam shelves.
Mid June the work continues…
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Works moves on a pace, both coach roofs are now detached and the majority of the deck has been removed. Port gunwhales, rail and coverboards (deck planks abutting the stantions) have been removed. The deck beams are showing some rot, particularly around the bitts/foredeck and in the counter. When Cakey has finished with the re-rig of Tammy for Gayle, it is proposed that the interior fittings and internal concrete ballast, along with the garboards (planks immediately above the keel) will be removed, exposing the floors (cross members supporting the cabin soles) and keel, along with the ribs.
July – Aug
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Work moves on a pace. Charlotte Ellen has now been stripped of paint so that the condition of the planking can be ascertained. In addition, as can be seen from the pictures below Cakey has now removed the garboards and the 2nd plank from both the port and starboard sides. This has allowed access to the keel, lower ends of the frames and floors. Initial inspection suggests that whilst the keel is in fairly good shape some work will be required. This is still under discussion but will probably result in either the removal of the external portion of the keel, a replacement section will then be bolted through the remaining timber or complete replacement. All fixing in this area will also be replaced.
In addition the sheerstrake (upper most hull plank) and channels (shroud anchorages) have been removed ready for replacement of the decks. Finally the fuel tank has been lifted clear to allow clear access to the counter and deadwoods (large baulks of timber just forward of the rudder post).
