Yesterday saw 'Ripple' a 111 year old Cornish fishing boat hauled back into the water by 'Cornish Pirates' rugby players at Newlyn following a 4 year restoration. She was built at St Ives in 1896 and is now the oldest fishing boat on the UK Fishing Vessel Register still sporting her original name and her fishing registry number (SS19).
This 44 foot vessel, once fully operational, will be the only working Cornish fishing lugger left in the world. The intention after fitting out and trials are complete is to offer enthusiasts the chance to sail and fish on a lugger that last worked when fishing was considered to be a sustainable industry.
'Ripple' is now in the ownership of 'West Cornwall Lugger Industry Trust Ltd' who state their aims to be "Regeneration activities for the community of Newlyn, based on traditional boat building, revival of the old harbour and the experience of sailing and fishing on heritage fishing boats".
This sounds a very worthy organisation and I'm pleased to hear about not only their success in preserving 'Ripple' but that she will still be actively used.
John Lambourn (email jhlambourn@aol.com) is the man to contact for more information.
Saturday 13 October 2007
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