Morgan’s shed holds an interesting secret

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Morgan’s shed hides an interesting secret – an new spritsail boat. As usual, click on the photos for a larger, clearer image. Many thanks to Bob Telford for the photos. (Note the sprit-rigged Thames barge mast in the background.)

Bob Telford’s young friend Morgan has built himself a fine shed, and is working on an interesting project – redeveloping an old double-ended hull with a spritsail to create a craft that will bear a passing resemblance to the old Medway doble.

Similar to the peterboat once used further up the Thames Estuary, the doble is a historic local boat type that hasn’t been seen in the area for many decades, and in any case it will be very nice to see a small spritsail on the Swale, as these days they usually appear only on Thames barges. I have a small plywood rowing and sailing dory fitted with a spritsail, but for some reason I haven’t ever taken it down to the creek. Someday I’ll put that right.

I must find out what book appears in the last photo. It’s just the kind of thing I’d buy on sight, but can’t remember that drawing appearing in anything on my shelves…