RAMBLER pilot gig Bermuda
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:10 pm
In 1977 Bermuda issued an attractive set of stamps to commemorate the profession of piloting in Bermuda waters from the 17th century to the present. Unique in this service was the Bermuda pilot gig, shown on the 17c and 20c stamps.
According to the FDC insert, “The Bermuda pilot gigs were long, slender craft, their length ranging between 32 and 42 feet, and most of them were built on St David’s Island by island craftsmen. They carried a crew of 6 – 8 oarsmen and could be rigged with a 2 or 3 loose-footed leg-of-mutton sails and jib. This allowed them a variety of choices without reefing according to the strength of the wind, and they were capable of incredible speeds, 14 knots have been recorded.
The gig on the stamps are designed after the RAMBLER, she is the last of the Bermuda pilot gigs, and can be seen at the Maritime Museum at the Keep Yard, Ireland Island, Bermuda.”
RAMBLER was restored a few years ago and is built with Bermuda cedar frames and measures 37.8 x 5.6 ft.
Bermuda 1977 17 and 20c sg381/82, scott 557/58.
Watercraft Philately 1980 page 51.
According to the FDC insert, “The Bermuda pilot gigs were long, slender craft, their length ranging between 32 and 42 feet, and most of them were built on St David’s Island by island craftsmen. They carried a crew of 6 – 8 oarsmen and could be rigged with a 2 or 3 loose-footed leg-of-mutton sails and jib. This allowed them a variety of choices without reefing according to the strength of the wind, and they were capable of incredible speeds, 14 knots have been recorded.
The gig on the stamps are designed after the RAMBLER, she is the last of the Bermuda pilot gigs, and can be seen at the Maritime Museum at the Keep Yard, Ireland Island, Bermuda.”
RAMBLER was restored a few years ago and is built with Bermuda cedar frames and measures 37.8 x 5.6 ft.
Bermuda 1977 17 and 20c sg381/82, scott 557/58.
Watercraft Philately 1980 page 51.