The Amy Howson is one of the last surviving Humber sloops – elegant, single-masted sailing vessels that were once a common sight on the region’s waterways. Built in 1914 at Beverley by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, she spent decades transporting cargo such as timber, grain and coal between Hull, Goole and the inland ports. With her shallow draft and leeboards, the sloop was perfectly adapted to navigate the shifting tides and narrow channels of the Humber and the Trent.
By the mid-20th century, motor transport had replaced sail, and many sloops were lost. The Humber Keel & Sloop Preservation Society acquired Amy Howson in 1976, rescuing her from decline and painstakingly restoring her to full sailing condition.
Now part of the National Historic Fleet, Amy Howson is maintained and sailed by dedicated volunteers. She remains a working vessel, regularly taking to the water to share the heritage of traditional sailing with the public – a living link to the Humber’s rich maritime history.
