Pearl

E. B. Tredwin

There were many 'Pearls' built and raced by E. B. Tredwin. Note the side flaps (by Tredwin's elbow), at one time controversial and fought against by mate Warrington Baden-Powell as unseaworthy and treacherous. Pearl #2 was the first fitted with side flaps but they were removed when Pearl #2 was redecked for the following season. Flaps were used again on later 'Pearls' until the Americans, in the 1886 International Matches, conclusively demonstrated that much more power and speed can be obtained by sitting on deck and hiking to windward. Also note cables and lines everywhere suggesting a complex rig with reefing gears - a trend that would later harm the growth of racing decked sailing canoes in England. The lines for several 'Pearls' are in the collection of lines drawings for various decked sailing canoes accessible from the main history archives page. This photo of 'Pearl' was shamelessly ripped from the UK International Canoe site (www.intcanoe.org.uk). I include it here to gather historical photos together.