Schuyt

A pair of schuyts aground, in a print dated 1860.

A schuyt is a flat-bottomed sailing boat used in the Netherlands, originally for fishing or carrying light cargoes. In the 17th century, they were rigged with two masts like a ketch, but by the 19th century, had adopted a single mast like a sloop.^[1]

A typical schuyt at the turn of the 20th century was described as having a large rudder which could be raised by an arrangement of blocks and tackles and a pair of leeboards. Schyuts engaged in eel fishing were said to have begun visiting London in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and were granted the use of a berth there, which continued in use until the 20th century.^[2]

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