Cockleboat - latest linoprint
In 1924 nine new Cockle boats were built by Cole and Wiggins for use around the Leigh-on-sea area of Essex.
This print shows “Reminder” LO38.
Other boat names were “Reliant”, “Resolute”, “Letitia”, “Defender”, “Renown” and “Endeavour”. Most famously “Renown”, “Resolute” and “Endeavour” were three of the “small ships” which helped to evacuate the beaches at Dunkirk in 1940.
I photographed LO38 in the early 1980’s at Leigh-on-sea, since when it has had a new coat of paint, a new wheelhouse – and is still cockling.
It seems to have taken me ages to get this print right. I recut the rigging several times, and had to do some hand burnishing to cover every part of the hull. Even then the print needed to be on a large piece of paper. The print now measures 38cm square.
Edition of 15.