Share your favorites on Show & Tell

The Welsh Coracle, a one person river sailing vessel that is still used today and I have been in one.

In Sporting Goods > Show & Tell and Fishing > Show & Tell.
Fishing207 of 791Arborgast Jitterbug 2 hookVintage Fishing Lures Creek Chub Paw Paw ??
9
Love it
0
Like it

RonMRonM loves this.
SEAN68SEAN68 loves this.
gargoylecollectorgargoylecollector loves this.
jscott0363jscott0363 loves this.
TreyTrey loves this.
mikelv85mikelv85 loves this.
CaperkidCaperkid loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
kyratangokyratango loves this.
See 7 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 8 years ago

    GeodeJem
    (404 items)

    The Welsh Coracle, a one person river sailing vessel that is still used today and I have been in one. I found it difficult to control and preferred my inflatable canoe.

    Coracles (from the Welsh "cwrwgl") have a history dating back thousands of years. The coracle was originally covered with animal skins and in some countries they are still made this way. In Wales they are now skinned with calico which is waterproofed using a bitumastic paint. For those interested in researching the subject there are two excellent resources. The National Coracle Centre is to be found at Cenarth Falls, Newcastle Emlyn, Dyfed. Martin Fowler has a display which illustrates the history and diversity of the craft. He tells me that 12 people have licences to fish the River Teifi for salmon and sea trout using the coracle. The Centre can supply the woven, Teifi-style coracle and instruct in its use.
    Coracles have been in use in the British Isles from pre-Roman times. Whilst their prime use is for the purposes of transport and fishing, it has been recorded that they have been used both militarily and by the security forces. There is clear evidence that Wellington used them during his campaigns in India. In the same country last year an Indian newspaper showed a photograph of an Indian coracle being used in the pursuit of a dangerous criminal.

    Coracles are to be found, not only in the British Isles and Ireland, but can be seen in India, Vietnam and Tibet. Until very recently they were to be found in Iraq and reports, currently unverified, exist of them in Norway and close to Chernobyl.

    Coracles have not been seen in Scotland for 150 years but they were in use in Ireland until the late 1940's. They are, however, principally to be found nowadays in three West Walian rivers, namely: The Teifi, The Towy and The Taf. Here they are used for net fishing, with the net being held between two coracles which drift down with the current, taking a salmon or sewin at restricted times of the year. All these coracles, however, have to be licensed. Their numbers are dwindling rapidly. There remain traditional coracle builders on the Severn at Iron-Bridge and Shrewsbury. In its hey day, towards the end of the last century, there were more coracles to be found on the River Severn than on any other river in the British Isles. The principal use of these coracles on the Severn at Iron-Bridge was as a ferry as there were very few bridges over that river in the area and the locals resented having to pay a toll on the famous Iron-Bridge. At Shrewsbury they were used principally for rod and line fishing. There is also a tradition of coracles in North Wales and they were to be seen until the 1950's in the Llangollen section of the River Dee.

    Info from Data Wales

    logo
    Sporting Goods
    See all
    4 Vintage Railroad Kerosene Oil Outdoor Portable Camping Lantern Light 8
    4 Vintage Railroad Kerosene Oil Out...
    $30
    powell peralta skateboard decks vintage Parts/Repair
    powell peralta skateboard decks vin...
    $710
    Vintage, Antique HEDDON SPIN-DIVER, Fancy Green Back 3000 w/box, Collector grade
    Vintage, Antique HEDDON SPIN-DIVER,...
    $875
    1960's Kelly Axe & Tool Works
    1960's Kelly Axe & Tool Works "True...
    $127
    logo
    4 Vintage Railroad Kerosene Oil Outdoor Portable Camping Lantern Light 8
    4 Vintage Railroad Kerosene Oil Out...
    $30
    See all

    Comments

    1. racer4four racer4four, 8 years ago
      I'm so glad we can call it a coracle and not the Welsh word with no vowels (just kidding!)
      Great post Jem. They do look a tad unstable....
    2. Rick55 Rick55, 8 years ago
      What a cool lil boat Jem! I bet it's a blast to ride
    3. katherinescollections katherinescollections, 8 years ago
      Love everything about this picture, the boats, the water, and those buildings in the background. I've always lived near the ocean, but would love to try river living. :)
    4. GeodeJem GeodeJem, 8 years ago
      Parkmill near Swansea was once a working Mill down the Gower. Its now a Heritage centre for tourists with a community museum feel. The lake is small but they grow trout in it and they also have plastic duck races which are popular. katherinescollections.
    5. katherinescollections katherinescollections, 8 years ago
      Thanks for that information, GJ, it's just beautiful. :)

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.