Swampscott Dory Sail Rig

Swampscott Dory Sail Evolution

Building Classis Small Craft, John Gardner, page 243

Primary propulsion for the original beach-launched working craft of the northeast coast was supplied by the ever-reliable oars, but many of the early boats were also rigged to sail. Small spritsails predominated, except for the Swampscott’s leg-o-mutton sail and small jib. Eventually many of these boats rigged to sail were equipped with centerboards, but just when centerboards were first put into such craft is uncertain.

In Swampscott, Massachusetts, in the old days, the summer dory fishermen in good weather used to leave the beach under oars at dawn, usually in dead calm. By late afternoon, when it was time to start home, a brisk on-shore breeze would have sprung up, so sails were raised and the loaded boats would come riding in before it. No centerboard was required and an oar sufficed to steer. As time went on, sailing rigs were enlarged and improved, and modified sailing versions of such craft were developed with centerboards and rudders.

Of these various beach craft which we have been considering, the Swampscott dory was carried the farthest in its development as a sailboat. From about 1900 to 1920 and even somewhat later, dories were the most numerous and popular small sailing craft in this country. Still remembered are such dories as the Beachcomber and Alpha, the Clipper dory, the X-dory, the Riverside dory, followed by larger and more powerful craft like the Yankeed dory, the Massachusetts Bay Indian, and the Marblehead Town Class, which has recently taken a new lease on life in fiberglass.