Wildfowling, Marshmen and Inland Waterways
Index
Introduction
The marshes must have seemed very inhospitable to strangers a few hundred years ago, but a living was to be from them by those who knew how. The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are a unique man-made environment, created by peat-digging. Eel-catching, wildfowling and basket making furnished livelihoods until recent changes have seen the Broads become a National Park which is an important tourist destination.
The Broads and the large expanse of Breydon water where three rivers; the Yare, Bure and Waveney meet were the inspiration for a number of naturalists and artists such as Arthur Patterson, Ted Ellis and Emerson.
Specialist craft such as wildfowling gun punts and cargo wherries operated on the inland waterways and some restored vessels now offer trips aboard.
Drainage of the Fens and Marshes has been a constant battle as people have tried to maintain reclaimed land. Specialist drainage and reed-cutting tools were developed and used by marshmen.
Inland, a number of inland waterways were made navigable by artificial cuts from the 17th century onwards, which were used by commercial traffic.
Wildfowling, Marshmen and Inland Waterways
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A Gun Punt.
Photograph of a gun punt. This is not thought to be the one for which the punt gun on display in the Nottage was made, but is typical of this type of craft. The gun was mounted on the ring set into the bows. Note the low profile for approaching the birds unseen.
This is not a Nottage exhibit, it used to be moored on the Quay in front of the Nottage but has since been removed.
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