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The Life and Times of the Sloop 'Amy Howson'

The Humber was among the last strong-holds of working sail in Britain. Even when coastal and deep sea shipping was almost entirely dominated by powered vessels, the Humber was the home of two distinctive sailing craft of ancient lineage: the Humber Keel and the Humber Sloop.

The Humber Keel and Sloop Preservation Society was formed in 1970 with the avowed aims of preserving and restoring working examples of Humber sailing craft and reviving the skills and traditions of the sailing vessels. Since 1974 the society has been a registered charity and a non-profit-distributing company limited by guarantee. A Council of 15 members run the Society’s affairs. Current membership stands at around 250. The Society is recognised as being in the forefront of the maritime conservation movement, and has links with national bodies including the Maritime trust.

The Humber Sloop with its fore and aft rig, was characteristic of the small coasting and estuarial craft common through out British waters for over three hundred years. Sloops continued to sail on the Humber until 1951.

The Society purchased the sloop 'AMY HOWSON'in 1976 with Financial assistance from the Lincolnshire and Humberside Arts. She has been built of steel at Henry Scarr’s shipyard, Beverley in 1914. Originally named 'Sophia’, she was employed in the coal trade from the West Riding Collieries to Beverley. Later, under the ownership of Gouldthorpe, Wright and Scott, she was re-named 'I Know', carrying market goods and general parcels between Grimsby and Hull. In 1922 she was purchased by W. H. Barraclough and renamed 'AMY HOWSON' after one of his married daughters.

Trade was mainly between Hull and Brigg, carrying oil seed to the Yarborough Oil Mills as well as chemicals to Barton-on-Hum ber and Howden Dyke on the Ouse. General cargo was also taken to Sheffield town, often grain from King George Dock and returning with coal back to Hull. The skipper and mate were usually from Barton. In 1939 Mr Barraclough decided to convert 'Amy Howson' from sail to a motor vessel.

As trade declined in the 60s Barracloughs sold off their fleet one by one until only 'AMY HOWSON' remained, moored up and deserted at the old warehouses on the River Hull. Time and vandals took their toll.

In early 1976 Mr Eric Burton discovered that the first ever vessel he'd started on as mate when he left school was still afloat and laid up in Hull.
She was the 'AMY HOWSON'

The first inspection was was not too cheering, she was a sorry sight. But not to be deterred Eric Burton and Roy Smith went on the ferry to Hull to bring her home to Barton. (having first cleared it with Mr Barraclough)

After several hours of cleaning, and a few choice words they finally cranked the old engine into action. Amid clouds of smoke and fumes they cast off and turned ‘AMY HOWSON" towards Barton.

'AMY HOWSON' was registered in the society’s name in June 1976. There is a photo of her as brought, on the notice board below deck in the main cargo hold. Extensive restoration was carried out on the hull of "Amy Howson" between 1976 and 1979. Subsequently rerigging was begun and the mast was stepped in 1980 and the task completed in 1981, Captain John Frank acting as consultant. The Society gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Hall’s Barton Ropery Co in the re-rigging of both of its vessels

'Amy' now carries the traditional red gaff mainsail and foresail, and sails regularly on the Humber during the summer. She can carry up to 12 persons on the specially constructed well deck, and galley and toilet facilities are installed. ‘Amy’ is normally based at South Fernby, on the River Ancholme.

Every September 'Amy Howson' is brought back to Barton for cleaning and painting ready for the following years trips on the River Humber. A days sailing on 'AMY' is a trip into the past. Come and enjoy it.

Enquiries about a days sailing on Amy Howson can be made to:-
Dave Robinson
135 Waterside Road
Barton on Humber
North Lincolnshire
DN18 5BD.
Tel:- 01652 635288

Copyright © The Humber Keel & Sloop Preservation Society.

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