Lerret
A lerret is type of fishing boat designed for use off the Chesil Beach in Dorset. It was an open clinker-built rowing boat about 16 feet long with a beam of about 5–6 feet, rowed by 2 or 3 pairs of rowers. To facilitate launching and beaching on the steep shingle of Chesil Beach, the stern was sharp with a high sternpost and the bottom of the craft was flat. The design dates back to the 17th century and the name is a contraction of Lady of Loretto – the first boat of this type built by a local ship's master who had formerly traded with Italy and named it after the shrine at Loretto. There were about 50 at the end of the 19th century but, in 2010, there were only about 4 left so a new one was built to preserve the type.
