Ripple of discontent at Newlyn

Please forgive the pun but the title of this entry refers to 'Ripple', the oldest fishing boat on the UK Fishing Vessel Register still sporting her original name and her fishing registry number (SS19). On 13 October I penned a piece about her loving restoration and her refloating at Newlyn. A gentleman by the name of John Lambourn has been the driving force behind the work and he has had the benefit of a rent free site on the waterfront courtesy of the Harbour Commission. Although he wants to use the facility for another fortnight we are told the Commission are very keen to get the site back to generate some income and therefore wish to evict him.

I am loathe to take sides on this one not knowing the parties concerned. However I do have a very powerful belief that every town benefits from some item of heritage from which the community can benefit and gives that particular place a sense of identity. Hence my excitement and support for the 'Ripple' project last October. It is a terrible shame to hear of acrimony here and I really hope that a sensible accommodation can be made.

Regarding another part of our nautical heritage there is a worry about the 'Kathleen and May' being sold and thus leaving Bideford in North Devon. No time to write about that now but I must blog about that sometime soon.

Oldest UK fishing boat relaunched at Newlyn

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.