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Name: Kathleen and May

Certificate number: 146

Status:

Core Collection

Function:

Cargo Vessel

Sub Functional Area:

Type:

Topsail Schooner

Location:

Bideford, Devon, England

Current use:

Up for Sale

  • Length Overall:

    29.98 metres (98.30 feet)

  • Gross Cargo Tonnage:

    250.00

  • Net Tonnage:

    99.00

  • Depth Hold:

    3.10 metres (10.16 feet)

  • Maximum Breadth:

    7.06 metres (23.15 feet)
Kathleen and May - Kathleen and May - port side

Web address

http://www.kathleenandmay.co.uk/

Builder

History

KATHLEEN & MAY was built for Captain John Coppack and named after his daughters Lizzie and May. She was employed taking cargoes such as cement, coal, pitch and clay anywhere between Oban, Scotland and the Channel islands. Her fo'c'sle could house four hands, while the Captain and mate occupied small cabins leading off the saloon, which also served as a mess room. Her first commercial voyage was under Captain Tom Hughes from Connah's Quay to Rochester with 226 tons of firebricks. She then carried cement to Plymouth, pitch to Cardiff, coal to Falmouth and clay to Weston Point.

In 1908, she was purchased by M J Fleming of Youghal in southern Ireland, renamed KATHLEEN & MAY, and placed in the coal trade between the Bristol Channel and Ireland, carrying oats or pit props on the return passages. Under Captain Joe Aherne of Youghal she imported coal from Lydney and from Garston, often carrying oats or pit props on the outward voyage. On St Georges Day 1931, she carried her last cargo under sail alone - 202 tons of coal from Cardiff. In that year she was purchased by Captain Tommy Jewell, fitted with an 80HP auxiliary engine and her topmasts were shortened. Tommy Jewel operated the vessel until 1961, after which she had a series of owners until finally retired in 1967.

In 1970 she was acquired by the Maritime Trust with funds given by the Hong Kong shipowner Sir Yue-Kong Pao. 20 years later she was sold for £80,000 to her present owner Steve Clarke, where a complete restoration to full sailing condition was done in Bideford, back to her original 1900 build with the exception of some up to date conveniences like heads and a 400 hp engine.

These brief histories are compiled from details supplied by vessel owners and enthusiasts and from various reference works. National Historic Ships would be grateful for any corrections of facts or additional information for inclusion. Please contact ron.ellis@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

Subsequent developments

March 2007 - KATHLEEN & MAY was awarded grants by National Historic Ships to the sum of £1829 to cover the costs of new signage and £2304 to cover the costs of remedial work on the rigging. Source; National Historic Ships, 2008

Previous names

Bibliography