An Aldous smack from 1887
MAYFLOWER CK44 was built by Aldous at Brightlingsea in 1887 for West Mersea oysterman George Stoker. Essex Heritage Workboats records her as a Class III oyster smack, a type built for dredging in the shallow estuaries of the Essex coast. Historic vessel records also associate her with the earlier fishing number CK242.
The crew and the Blackwater
Photographs held by Mersea Museum show MAYFLOWER sailing on the Blackwater. One image identifies Richard Haward and Don Rainbird on deck, with the tanker ESSO PURFLEET in the background. The Colne Smack Preservation Society also reproduces a picture of Don Rainbird’s MAYFLOWER at the West Mersea Town Regatta in 2004.
Other photographs record smacks lying at West Mersea during the severe winter of 1962–63. They preserve a working harbour scene, alongside the later regatta images of the same vessel.
From trade to smack matches
The vessel remained recognisable by her CK44 number as traditional smack racing replaced much of the old commercial work. The Colne Smack Preservation Society records MAYFLOWER receiving the Vernon Scott Trophy as last smack home at the 1985 Colne Match. Its photographic collection also shows repairs to her counter, evidence of the continued work required to keep wooden smacks afloat.
Records and related boats
Essex Heritage Workboats: MAYFLOWER · Colne Smack Preservation Society photographs and match record. Other Mersea smacks include HYACINTH and BOADICEA.