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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Tools used in Broads Trades
There are displays in several parts of The Museum depicting the tools used in various crafts or trades in the Broads.
Boat Building, Boat Design, Marshman (Dykeing and Drainage), Reed Cutting, and Wherry trading.
Marking Tools
Tools used to mark out wood in the making of boats.
MARKING TOOLS
1. Four Try squares of different sizes. Used for marking 90 degree angles. Woodworkers’ try squares are constructed of rosewood, brass and steel unlike engineers’ try squares which are all steel.
2. A Mortice gauge. This tool has two pins and hence can mark two lines parallel to an edge such as the two sides of a mortice joint, hence the name.
3. A Marking gauge. This tool has one pin and is used to mark one line parallel to an edge particularly when preparing timber by hand planing.
4. Two Sliding (or adjustable) bevels. Used to mark different angles.
5. A Measuring tape. Used for measuring long lengths particularly when setting out.
6. Two Spirit levels. Used for setting out horizontal and vertical lines.
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Exhibition: The Museum of The Broads Site
The Museum of The Broads Physical Site
This page is part of the Online Exhibition(s): The Museum of The Broads Site
Boat Building on The Broads
This page is part of the Narrative Theme(s): Wildfowling, Marshmen and Inland Waterways
This page is part of the Narrative Theme(s): Boat Building and Marine Engineering