The particular feature of these hoggies was that the ratio of length to breadth was only about 2 – 1, and in the earlier types, as little as 7 to 4.
The chock bolted to a strake above the waterline was used as a rest for a leeboard, which was slung over the gunwhale on the lee side when on a tack, to counteract excessive leeway due to the flatness of the bottom.
These boats, which were peculiar to Brighton and Shoreham, gradually declined in number. In 1886 only 3 were left, and the last was burned in a Guy Fawkes bonfire soon afterwards.
It is idle to speculate on the date of this photograph. It is by Edward Fox and may date from the Seventies or even Sixties. Certainly the West Pier is not visible but this may be due to mist or poor light.
Image Reference: JG_03_208.tif
Date: 1860-1870s
Image Details: Copy
Size of Original: 269x131
Place: Brighton
Additional Information: No comment
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