Small Craft

Late 19th & Early 20th Century British Yachting

The Sailors: Amateur British & Irish Yachtsmen Before World War One


Norman Simmons Carr, 1877–19??


Norman Carr, born in Warwickshire, was primarily an illustrator. He often worked with other sailor/authors including E. Keble Chatterton and Edwin S. Turner. He occasionally wrote his own articles for The Yachting Monthly and may have contributed to other magazines as well. He was certainly contributing illustrations to The Yachting Monthly from the earliest days. Here's one of his early articles from 1908, Holland in London.

Carr was a tall man, known as the "Long Un" amongst his friends. He lived in Wandsworth with his sister Mabel for a number of years prior to the war.

"They all want to know that!"

Yachtsman (vainly hailing against the wind): "Is there a telegraph office here?"
Old Salt: "Plenty of water? Yes, sir, yes; plenty of water!"



When war broke out he quickly volunteered with the R.N.V.R., going in on 3 October, 1914 as a Sub-Lieutenant, rising to Lieutenant with command of Motor Launch 22, 5 and immediately after the war ML 475. He participated in the St. George's Day raid on Zeebrugge at which time he was severely wounded in the arm, taking some months to recuperate.

Known Boats:

  • Rani IV
  • Cuan ? (a 9 ton cutter, noted as being sold by Messrs. Carr and Fulton to Mr. Barley in the March, 1907 issue of The Yachting & Boating Monthly)