A smack was a traditional fishing boat used off the coast of Britain and the Atlantic coast of America for most of the 19th century and, in small numbers, up to the Second World War. Many larger smacks were originally cutter rigged sailing boatsuntil about 1865, when smacks had become so large that cutter main booms were unhandy. The smaller smack retain the gaff cutter rig. The larger smacks were lengthened and re-rigged and new ketch-rigged smacks were built, but boats varied from port to port. Some boats had a topsail on the mizzen mast, while others had a bowsprit carrying a jib.
Large numbers smacks operated in fleets from ports in the UK such as Brixham, Grimsby and Lowestoft as well as at locations along the Thames Estuary. In England the sails were white cotton(see “Nell Morgan” smack) until a proofing coat was applied, usually after the sail was a few years old. This gave the sails its distinctive red ochre colour (see “Stag” Grimsby smack),which made them a picturesque sight in large numbers. Smacks were often rebuilt into steam boats in the 1950s.
Some old smacks have been re-rigged into ketches and are now used as training boats for young sailors. Other smacks are preserved in museums or used as floating museums.
The “Excelsior” is an example of a preserved smack. Built in Lowestoft in 1921, she is a member of the National Historic Fleet and operates as a sail training vessel. “Boadicea” is an example of a well preserved smaller smack. She was built in Maldon, Essex in 1808.
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Great Britan 2015;100g;100g;SG?
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smack_(ship)