Jolly boat

Types of boats

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Jolly boat is a type of boat historically associated with the naval and merchant services. Originating in the 18th century, the jolly boat was primarily used as a ship's dinghy or as a small, versatile vessel for various tasks at sea, including communication between ships, transport of personnel and goods, and as a utility craft for fishing and salvage operations.

Design and Features

The jolly boat was designed for utility and versatility. Typically, it was a small, clinker-built rowboat, characterized by its overlapping planks or strakes. This construction method provided strength and durability, essential for withstanding the rigors of sea use. Jolly boats were usually rowed, but some were rigged with a single mast and a simple sail plan to enable sailing when conditions allowed.

Usage

In the age of sail, every large vessel carried multiple smaller boats of various sizes and designs for different purposes. The jolly boat was among the smallest, often stored aboard ships on the davits or lashed to the deck. Its primary role was as a ship's tender, used to ferry crew and supplies between ship and shore or to other vessels. Its small size and maneuverability made it ideal for navigating in shallow waters or tight harbors where larger ships could not go.

Jolly boats were also employed for fishing, surveying coastal areas, and performing rescue operations. In military contexts, they could be used for reconnaissance or as a platform for small-scale amphibious operations.

Historical Significance

The jolly boat played a crucial role in the daily operations of sailing ships. It allowed for the exploration of areas inaccessible to larger vessels, facilitated communication, and provided a lifeline to the shore for supplies and emergency assistance. The versatility and utility of the jolly boat made it a staple of maritime operations for centuries.

Decline and Legacy

With the advent of steam power and the decline of the age of sail, the use of jolly boats, as with many traditional small craft, diminished. However, the term "jolly boat" and the general concept have persisted into modern times, often used to refer to small utility boats or ship's tenders, albeit with more modern materials and propulsion methods.

See Also

• Dinghy
• Ship's tender
• Clinker (boat building)
• Naval history

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