Cockwells Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 55' - Pet
In the 1960s Dennis Williams, a Pill shipwright, was instructed to cut up a well-known Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter called Pet, which had been built at Rowles yard in 1905. Fortunately he had the foresight to take the lines of the vessel before she was destroyed. Dennis, with his son David Williams a boat surveyor, offered the scantlings and offsets to Dave Cockwell so that a replica could be built.
That replica is now under way at Cockwells. The lofting has been completed and, with the information generated, her 45 foot one-piece Opepe keel and the stem have been rebated, and most of the frames are assembled.
We have recently been contacted by two separate descendants of Pet’s original owner and one of them kindly sent us some photos (see below). We are very grateful for these as it helps to fill in missing details. If anyone else has photos of this historic boat, we would love to see them.
Click on an image below to view more details (larger image is show below these thumbnails).
Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 'Pet' in Pill Creek Near Rowles Yard
Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 'Pet' probably leaving Barry to return to Pill on Relief Day
Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 'EMC' and 'Pet', well known photograph by Graham Farr, 1937.
Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 'Pet' under sail
Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 'Pet' in Barry Harbour
Possible the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 'Pet', published in a French magazine ''Chasse-Maree'' No.34.
Close up of Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 'Pet' from that article in the French magazine''Chasse-Maree'' No.34.
Philip Austin lofting the lines of Pet
Click here to see some images of our 45' Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter, Polly Agatha during build and on the water.