Historic lugger embarks on 1,000 mile voyage for new masts
The 143-year-old fishing boat is also loaded with Cornish sea salt, Yarg and a fare few bottles of rum
People lined the harbour walls and pontoons at Newlyn to bid farewell to a historic Cornish lugger as it embarks on a 1,000 mile voyage to get fitted with new masts. Volunteer sailors from the Cornish Maritime Trust (CMT) set sail on an epic six week voyage aboard the 143-year-old wooden Mackerel Driver, ‘Barnabas’ - the only surviving St Ives double-ended dipping lugger in the world.
The ambitious journey, which will also serve as a ‘living heritage’ educational voyage, links four Celtic lands - Cornwall, Scotland, Wales and Ireland - and will go as far as Ullapool in Scotland. There, Johnson & Loftus Boatbuilders will fit Barnabas with two handcrafted douglas fir masts, replacing those which have succumbed to weather and time.
Following a traditional blessing by Reverend Derath Durkin, the historic vessel, sporting flags from all four Celtic nations, once more raised its sails, caught the wind and glided elegantly out of Newlyn yesterday (Friday, April 19) to cheers of ‘Oggy, Oggy, Oggy’ from crowds on the quay. The sight was captured by artist in residence Vicki Norman, painting ‘en plein air’, just as Newlyn School artists would have done when Barnabas was part of the fishing fleet.
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Barnabas is the only survivor from St Ives of the thousand-strong fleet of lug rigged seine and drift net fishing boats registered at Cornish ports at the end of the 19th century. She was built for Barnabas Thomas by Henry Trevorrow above Porthgwidden beach in St Ives.
The historic boat won’t arrive in Ullapool empty-handed as she will be carrying award-winning Cornish exports, including Yarg cheese from Lynher Dairies and Cornish Sea Salt. Following her important stop in Ullapool, Barnabas then journeys on through the Hebrides before returning via Fishguard, Cork, and the Isles of Scilly back to Newlyn by June 22.
There are 21 pictures in this photo story - click on the 'Next' button at the bottom of the page to see them all.
The crew aboard the historic Barnabas in Newlyn ahead of departure. The voyage is part of Cornish Maritime Trust's mission to preserve Cornwall’s intangible cultural heritage, including training the next generation to sail Barnabas’ unique lug rig.
(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)1 of 21
Cornish sea salt is loaded onto the sailing boat, along with boxes of Yarg cheese.
(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)2 of 21
Painting the scene ahead of the departure of Barnabas, Cornish Maritime Trust artist in residence Vicki Norman commented: "‘Sharing and recording how to sail a dipping lug rig is hugely important to British maritime history in preserving the methods of sailing and maintaining these magnificent old boats. In addition to this unique connection to Cornwall's maritime past, sailing with CMT is giving me friendships, adventures and a tonne of visual inspiration for my work."
(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)3 of 21![Rob McDowell from Cornish Maritime Trust.]()
CMT trustee Rob McDowell will skipper the Barnabas at some of the later legs of the voyage.
(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)4 of 21![Skipper Toby Floyer talks to the crowd of well-wishers ahead of leaving Newlyn.]()
Chair of trustees Toby Floyer was the skipper of Barnabas as she set sail from Newlyn, and talked to the crowd of well-wishers ahead of leaving. So far the community has raised more than a third of the £15,000 needed for the new masts. Now the Trust is seeking support to meet this target and secure its ongoing work.
(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)5 of 21
