Margate hoys

[shelwin]

An ancestor of mine living in Birchington, Kent, was said to have been the owner of Margate Hoys. This was in the early part of the 19th century.

I understand that these hoys were sailing vessels (later possibly also screw driven?) which carried both goods and passenger traffic up and down the Thames between Margate and London - and presumably elsewhere also, including coastal waters.

Any information please as to exactly what boats they were, and whether there are any illustrations of them?

[bumblebee]

Margate Museum has a section that may be relevant.

http://home.btconnect.com/margatemuseum/PictureGallery.html

Bumblebee

[shelwin]

Thanks, Bumblebee. I have already emailed Bob the Curator, and hope he may be able to help.

I have also been shown a copy of an old print - rewally quite a bit different to what I had imagined!