The Cornish Maritime Trust.

The Trust was formed in 1994 with the object of preserving examples of historic working boats and their gear, demonstrating them and their traditional uses to the wider public. The Cornish Maritime Trust owns three craft: the most important working sail rigs traditionally used in the historic Cornish fishing industry.

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BARNABAS AT THE LOOE LUGGER FESTIVAL IN JUNE

Here is just a note to tell you how we fared with Barnabas during the Looe Lugger Festival. Some of you participated and already know parts of it, in which case thanks for your help.

Thusday, 11 June. Managed to pull together a crew of five and sailed from Falmouth to Looe, leaving at 1100 and arriving at 1800. Good sail up to Fowey and then motor sail the rest of the way. Met by John Charnock and other friends.
Friday, 12 June. Alongside in Looe. Large fleet of luggers and other traditional boats arrived.
Saturday, 13 June. An early start for some of us but mustered a good strong crew - 9 and off to the start line. Light winds but enough to sail. Large fleet, including two large French boats. A dual between the largest French boat - a three masted lugger and Guide Me. We were in the pack and had fun. Happy Return did very well. John Lambourn's Ripple perhaps did a little better than us.. I think we need more sail to get Barnabas to perform well - although perhaps it was the skipper!
After the race in port someone from another boat pointed out that we had a hole in one of our propellor blades and it was also bent! In view of the strong tidal current in Looe and also of the need to inspect the problem on the low tide I reluctantly decided not to race on the sunday.
Sunday, 14 June. Sadly saw the boats off to sea and then waited for the tide to fall. In the afternoon got the propellor off and brought on deck to survey the damage. Only one blade affected. Someone suggested that a temporary repair could be made with fibreglass and resin. With help from some friends off another lugger we got blade hammered out , cleaned it off and put on a fibreglass bandage. The result was almost like the original and with the tide rising we got the repaired propellor back on. Most of our crew had gone home and Paul Armitage and I enjoyed the Awards party, in which much to our surprise Barnabas received a big plaque for being the oldest boat there!
Monday, 15 June. As some of the boats going to the West offered to accompany us we left at 0900 with just two of us aboard. The wind was in the southwest so we had to motor. Could not go very fast and we were soon left behind, although some of the boats kept in radio contact. A huge rain storm fortunately spent the day over St. Austell and did not reach seawards. We motored along slowly with the mizzen up and later a small fore sail and got to Falmouth at 1800. Extremely hard work getting the sails down with just two of us aboard but boat now safely on mooring. The repaired propellor had served us well.
So now it is a matter of sorting the propellor problem out. For short trips around Falmouth we can manage with what we have got and we hope to organise some sailing around Falmouth during the next three weeks or so. In the long term we must repair the propellor, get a second one or buy a new one.
One way or another we must sort the problem and I hope to be able to get around to Mounts Bay in early July. Will work out a new schedule for the rest of the season.
Incidentally there have been a number of theories on the cause of the problem - serious galvanic action, have hit something or a combination. I personally think the latter but we shall wait for the propellor experts to let us know.

FILM SHOW JANUARY SATURDAY 31ST. 2009 FALMOUTH

Barnaba, A St.Ives Mackerel Driver, was shown at the Women's Institute Hall, Webber St., near the Moor, Falmouth at 7.30p.m. Entrance £5 or £4 for CMT members and students on the door. The film was followed by a short questions and answers session with the film makers. Refreshments available.

Acclaimed by Frank Ruhrmund as "A must for all with a love of the sea."

 

September 08

NEW DVD FILM of Barnabas, its history & recent restoration

Barnabas A St.Ives Mackerel Driver (running time 54 minutes) plus an extra disc on The Restoration of Barnabas (running time 100 minutes) is now available as a two disc set. This film has been selected for screening at the Cornwall Film Festival in November.

Price: £15.00 + £1.00 p & p. Cheques payable to The Cornish Maritime Trust, CMT Film, 6 St.Clements Tce., Mousehole, Cornwall, TR19 6SJ. DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS!

Tall Ships Falmouth

Barnabas sailed to Falmouth (see Latest News) to allow members to sail out to see the spectacle of the tall ships on Saturday 13th.September. Contact Adam Kerr 01736 731228 for details.

Softwing

is based in Falmouth and if weather allows will sail around the Lizard to Mousehole.

Ellen

is based in Mousehole harbour and sailing, weather permitting, until the end of the month when she will be taken by road to a covered barn for the winter.