Recent visits - July 2005
MANXMAN
- Sunderland
In July we visited MANXMAN in Sutherland. The vessel is alongside in Sunderland. A 1955 Irish Sea ferry she was the last of her type built for the Isle of Man/Liverpool holiday trade.
Bill Ogle is the knowledgeable and enthusiastic Chairman of the Trust who currently owns the vessel – he has a small band of determined enthusiasts helping him. They have a vision of taking the vessel back to Liverpool for a full restoration – maybe even to operational use again.
Her condition is deteriorating although she is watertight and her decks look in very good state – since coming out of service she has had several lives and that shows when you go through her. That said she is a late survivor of a bygone age – she looks and feels like a scaled down ocean liner.
PILGRIM
- Cremyll
What a wonderful vessel this red sailing Brixham trawler is. John Paton and Simon Stephens looked over her at Mashfords several weeks ago. Bill Wakenham, a Brixham fisherman of 40 years experience has gathered a marvellous group of volunteers around him. A new stern has been put on and a new foremast fitted. There is still lots to do but plenty of enthusiasm to finish the job.
LYNHER
- Cremyll
The Tamar barge LYHNER is also currently in Mashfords waiting restoration. Built by James Goss in 1896 for the river trade she transported agricultural produce from the rich farmlands and ore, bricks and limestone for kilns. LYHNER also carried quarried stone to Plymouth for the dockyard. Charlie Force resurrected her in the 1950s and she has been through several other refits. She now needs quite a lot of work done on her.
IRENE
- Trematon
Meanwhile on the river Lynher the rebuild of IRENE continues. This wonderful 1907 coasting ketch kept for many years in wonderful sailing condition by Dr Morrish is now recovering from her disastrous fire in the West Indies. There is an extraordinary story of how the vessel was towed back to UK. New frames have been fitted and the Morrishes are determined to get her up and running again. The team much enjoyed their visit seeing at first hand the rebirth of very important vessel.
RIPPLE
- Newlyn
While the team were in Cornwall they visited John Lambourn in Newlyn who is restoring the Cornish Lugger RIPPLE built in 1894. The restoration is well underway with stem and stern posts renewed, frames and some planking. There is a terrific story to tell here, how the boat was lengthened midships by 10 feet to make her able to carry larger nets. John wants to bring RIPPLE back in to working operation as a fishing vessel.
KINDLY
LIGHT - Gweek
Bristol sailing pilot cutters are wonderful boats and KINDLY LIGHT being restored by Malcolm McKeand (Owner) and David Walkey at Gweek is no exception. Pilot cutters were designed for a specific purpose and the Bristol pilot cutters were the last to relinquish this task under sail. All the vessels were fine powerful sea-keeping craft. Size was limited by the fact that after the pilots boarded ships two men or only a man and a boy apprentice would remain onboard to bring her home. KINDLY LIGHT is a truly breathtaking project, Malcolm is determined to restore her very accurately and to sail her as she once sailed. The compromises to modern boat building and materials are few and David is an outstanding craftsman – when complete we will have a truly remarkable boat here.
KATHLEEN
AND MAY - Bideford
One of the team’s favourites; during the Cornish trip the team popped in to see Steve Clarke at Bideford. The vessel is at Bristol having some maintenance completed but now she is on the Core Collection there is a real determination to save her for Bideford and keep her running from there. To help please contact steve@bideford.uk.com