On the Isles of Scilly, seagoing rowing gigs
—32-foot boats built from fine elm planks for strength and lightness
—once played a vital role in maritime life.
These boats carried pilots to ships navigating treacherous waters,
rescued lives and cargo from wrecks,
served in island farming and in coastal trades such as kelp making,
and supported the building and maintenance of lighthouses and other maritime infrastructure.
Though traditional gig rowing dec…