#clytus

Wasp beetle on elderberry, i used to think they were still very beetle like but seeing the picture as a small icon in my gallery i did wonder what wasp that was, good on you pall, good on you. I love mimicry !

(Clytus arietis, imago on Sambucus nigra)

Betsy was born on 11th June 1792, as the eldest of ten children to a shipping family at Saltcoast in Ayrshire, Scotland and spent her childhood aboard her father’s ship. She took over office duties when her Brother John took as Master his duties of the Clytus the family brig.

The only known image of Betsy, probably from an engraving, original artist  unknown.

When he drowned, she took over command of the ship as “ sailing master”, arguing “ Who knows her better than I do ?” Well, much of what is said about her today and what was written about her back then probably belongs in the corner of myths and exaggerated embellishments. And some things may be controversial but she manages to be recognized as a female Captain and Owner of the Clytus and to be listed in the official Lloyd Register. 

'The Clytus' had a crew of 14 men and was built  of material salvaged of a french man- o- war  carried 200 tons of mostly coal to the Irish ports, then limestone back to Ardrossan.

The Clytus