| Revision as of 15:58, 24 December 2004 editStuff ign (talk | contribs)36 edits Proof-read, as requested by previous editor. Slight grammar change, and a few links added. Article is now fixed.← Previous edit | Revision as of 09:46, 17 May 2005 edit undoCyr~enwiki (talk | contribs)203 edits correct mistakes (gigs are 32 foot long, crew of 6 and have never been motorised), Scilly is also not north of Land's End, its SSW.Next edit → | ||
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| ] returning from a race at Falmouth]] | |||
| ⚫ | '''Gig racing''' is a lively tradition in the isolated ] of the ], 40 ] |
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| ''Note: This article is rather outdated and contained many factural inaccuracies, I've updated the errors that I can see, but it could do with being updated and put in a more modern context. This is on my to-do list!'' | |||
| Nowadays, ]-powered gigs remain in use for transportation between the islands and tours for visitors, while gig racing is practised as a ]. Crews of 6 or 7 represent their island or town and a victory is a matter of pride for the winners' whole ]. | |||
| ⚫ | '''Gig racing''' is a lively tradition in the isolated ] of the ], 40 ] South South West of ], ]. Gigs are slender, narrow, 32-foot-long boats which are powered by a rowing crew of 6 plus 1 cox. Pilot duties and ] from shipwrecks were important sources of income in the ]. By ] custom, the first ] to reach a ship was hired, and the first crew to reach a wreck could claim it and all salvageable valuables as their own. The income of a gig crew depended therefore critically on their ability to outspeed competitors and to navigate the treacherous waters of the archipelago in any weather. | ||
| ==See also== | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
Revision as of 09:46, 17 May 2005
Note: This article is rather outdated and contained many factural inaccuracies, I've updated the errors that I can see, but it could do with being updated and put in a more modern context. This is on my to-do list!
Gig racing is a lively tradition in the isolated archipelago of the Isles of Scilly, 40 km South South West of Land's End, England. Gigs are slender, narrow, 32-foot-long boats which are powered by a rowing crew of 6 plus 1 cox. Pilot duties and salvage from shipwrecks were important sources of income in the 19th century. By maritime custom, the first pilot to reach a ship was hired, and the first crew to reach a wreck could claim it and all salvageable valuables as their own. The income of a gig crew depended therefore critically on their ability to outspeed competitors and to navigate the treacherous waters of the archipelago in any weather.