Maritime Heritage: The Lydia Eva

The Lydia Eva

The Lydia Eva is the last surviving example of the steam drifters that plied their trade from Great Yarmouth in the early part of the century, making the town the herring capital of the world.

The Lydia Eva and Mincarlo Charitable Trust Ltd has restored the vessel as a floating museum of the herring fishing industry.

• Built in 1930
  by Kings Lynn Slipway Co. Ltd.

• Length - 95 feet

• Breadth - 20.6 feet

• Depth - 9.8 feet

• Gross Tonnage - 138 tonnes

• Net Tonnage - 64 Tonnes

• Registry - Port Number YH89

The herring industry had reached its peak in 1913 when 1006 vessels were based at Great Yarmouth, and was in decline at the time the Lydia Eva joined the small fleet owned by Harry Eastick.

Equipped with wireless and electric light, and specifically designed to be more efficient than her contemporaries, the declining herring stocks nonetheless meant that the Lydia Eva had a relatively short working life. With decent catches becoming increasingly difficult, she landed her last catch in December 1938. Two months later Harry Eastick sold her and his other remaining vessel to Norford Sufflings, a local firm of fish merchants.

She was sold on to the Caernarvonshire Yacht Company and was altered and equipped for a contract with the Air Ministry, maintaining and servicing bouys around the West coast. In 1942 she was requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport and became engaged in salvage work.

In 1966 she was transfered to the Marine Services Division of the Royal Navy, where she was fitted with a new boiler and a higher wheelhouse but after 3 years service she was laid up for sale in Milford Haven.

Coming Home

The Maritime Trust was founded in 1969 in order to preserve vessels that were representative of Britain's maritime heritage. Being the only remaining vessel of her type, the Lydia Eva was purchased by the trust in 1971, and following an overhaul at Holman & Sons in Penzance she returned to Great Yarmouth.

Charles Eastick, nephew of Harry, was able to offer invaluable advice; the RAF and Admiralty fittings were removed and Lowestoft company Overys were able to construct a new wheelhouse. By 1973 she was a drifter again, and spent the next five years welcoming visitors on board at her berth at South Quay at Great Yarmouth.

In 1978 she sailed from Great Yarmouth, seemingly to be gone forever, to become part of the Maritime Trust exhibition at St Katherine's Dock next to Tower Bridge in London. Financial difficulties eventually saw the closure of this exhibition in 1986, and once again she became laid up, this time at the West India Dock.

In 1989 enthusiasts in Norfolk and Suffolk, with support from County and Local councils, formed the Lydia Eva Charitable Trust Ltd, with the aim of purchasing the vessel and returning her to her home port. The project generated tremendous interest, and on June 30th 1990 the Lydia Eva was towed back into Great Yarmouth harbour by the Port Authority tug Hector Read.

When the Lydia Eva was dry docked in Lowestoft early in the year 2000 it was found that parts of the ship's hull just below the waterline has rusted away so badly that it was not safe to put her on display either in Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft. Repairs are needed which may cost about £750,000, and an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund is being prepared.

Once this has been done the hull underwater will be sheathed to protect the metal from corrosion and this will allow Lydia Eva to remain afloat and open to visitors for very many years to come.

In the meantime the Trust's other ship, the side trawler Mincarlo is open to visitors daily at Lowestoft Marina. Admission is free

You may contact the Lydia Eva and Mincarlo Charitable Trust by telephoning 01502 565234 or e-mailing to enquiries@lydiaeva.org.uk