- Spirit Of Mystery Being Offloaded In Holland (Photo by Colin Merry)
Spirit of Mystery, skippered by Pete Goss, arrived back in the UK this week. Spirit of Mystery, Pete Goss’s 37 foot replica Cornish Lugger, which started sailing from the Cornish port of Newlyn a year and a half ago will be back in Cornwall. After a short refit period will be visiting various ports and festivals throughout the summer.
The following is a short description of the delivery back from Holland by crewman Colin Merry. “ We arrived in Vrissingham Holland on Thursday and set about getting our bearings. The next day was to have been spent getting stores and fuel for the boat. Finally ‘Spirit of Mystery’ was gently lowered into the water and we started our trip back to England.
Down the Dutch, Belgium and then French coast before turning into the Dover straits in order to cross the Channel. Arguably the busiest shipping lane in the world, we felt tiny as we dodged ships the size of small towns on our way across. (Big ship pinball, with us as the ball!) After thirteen hours the noise of the engine was really getting to us, and it was with relief that we felt the first breeze of the promised NNE. Passing Dover and heading for Beachy Head we raised sail and gave the engine a rest. The wind continued to increase steady until the promised 30knot.duly arrived and we shortened sail for a night passage to the Isle of wight.
Spirit of Mystery Crew (Photo Courtesy of Colin Merry)
We ran a watch system of one man on deck and two resting. It was quite sobering to think that three guys we’re asleep below while on deck I was helming down Channel in a blow! The dawn found us off Weymouth and skirting the famous Portland race we headed out into Lime bay. By now the wind and sea state had moderated and we we’re in good spirits. Top speed over the ground went to Stu with a blistering 10.8 knots! Not bad for a Cornish lugger weighing in at 16tonnes!
Sunset Over Rame Head (Photo by Colin Merry)
The remainder of the trip was quite relaxed in comparision and mother nature even threw in a spectacular sunset over Rame Head to welcome us home. Saturday to Monday, 317 nm. average speed 6knots. and the fun meter off the scale! ‘Spirit’ will now get a much needed refit period then she’s off again to various festivals/rally’s.”
Passing Traffic (Photo by Colin Merry)
You can read about “Spirit of Mystery’s” sail to Australia and follow her through the UK this summer at http://www.petegoss.com/blog.php
Pete Goss on Spirit of Mystery (Photo By Colin Merry)
Spirit of Mystery, the little wooden boat sailed by Pete Goss and his family crew to Australia last year in a re-enactment of a historic voyage 155 years ago, is to return home to Cornwall.
The 37-foot Mounts Bay lugger is currently in Port Kembla, Australia, being prepared for loading aboard a container ship bound for Holland. There she will be unloaded and finish the journey under sail to her spiritual home in Cornwall.
The tough little ship survived storms and a knockdown in the Southern Ocean while sailing the 11,800 mile voyage, which shone a spotlight on the bravery of seven Cornishman who made the journey to seek out a better life and become the smallest migrant vessel ever to make it to Australia.
Spirit of MysteryTacker, which was feared lost forever in the Southern Ocean knockdown. This incident turned out to be the start of her own little adventure. The intrepid little boat drifted over a thousand miles and turned up in King Island between Tasmania and Australia, where she was spotted by local boys and after much detective work and some restoration reunited with Spirit of Mystery.
He said that he was excited about getting her home in time for the sailing season in the UK: “I have to say I have wrestled with the decision as to whether I should sail her home or ship her ever since we arrived in Melbourne. My heart wanted to sail her but looking at life, commitments and other projects I have in the pipeline, it was readily apparent that I didn’t have the time slot. Once I had made it the decision just felt right and I am now really excited about getting her home, we have missed her.”An added bonus for Pete is that the ship is returning complete with her dinghy
Spirit of Mystery will arrive in Holland towards the end of April thanks to Seven Star Yacht Transport, where she will be prepared for the final push home. Pete hopes that he can be on board to sail Spirit up the Tamar and complete an amazing global voyage for the little wooden boat with a big heart.
(Photo Courtesy of Pete Goss / Spirit of Mystery)
Spirit of Mystery is made of locally sourced wood and has history literally built into her. The keel, stem and stern were made from a tough hardwood called Ekki. Fallen Cornish Oak makes up the frames, with Larch for the planking and Ash for the tiller and sweeps. Pete sourced a piece of oak from Nelson’s Victory, teak from the Cutty Sark and a part of the rigging from the SS Great Britain. With so much local history and so many happy memories in her, Pete decided she should return to Cornwall rather than dry up under the burning Australian sun.
(Photo Courtesy of Pete Goss / Spirit Of Mystery)
Spirit Of Mystery At The Sydney Boat Show (Photo by Colin Merry)
Spirit of Mystery Crew Visit Walcon At The Sydney Boat Show (Photo by Colin Merry)
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Spirit of Mystery Crew Sails Sydney Harbor (Photo by Colin Merry)
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Collin Merry Sailing On Spirit of Mystery In Sydney Harbor (Photo courtesy of Colin Merry)
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Sydney Boat Show (Photo by Colin Merry)
Sydney Boat Show (Photo by Colin Merry)
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Inside The Boat Show (Photo by Colin Merry)
Spirit of Mystery at the Sydney Boat Show (Photo by Colin Merry)
Well the boat show here in Sydney has got off to a great start! The weather is sunny and temps. are up into the high teens. With five exhibition halls and a marina full of boats there is plenty to see and drool over. ”Spirit of Mystery” is being really well received with loads of people coming on board for the tour and story of her voyage. We are working hard to try and accommodate all who want to see her.
Jessica Watson's Pink Boat (Photo by Colin Merry)
Next door to us is a very pink yacht indeed! It is a 34′ Sparkman and Stephens. Sixteen year old Jessica Watson will be setting off from Sydney in September in her bid to be the youngest solo circumnavigator. Her route will take her northeast across the equator to Washington Island in the North Pacific, around the notorious Cape Horn, below South Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, across the Indian Ocean and up the East coast back home to Sydney. Jessica hopes to return before her 17th birthday. I asked her a few questions whilst being shown around on board.
Why? – The challenge, she has heard the stories and needs to know what it will be like for herself.
Which things are you most looking forward to? – The milestones, the Horn would be great.
What things are you most dreading? – The first storm, other than getting that one behind me not anything really.
What will you miss most? – Friends and family.
How long are you planning for? – 230 days.
What are you taking with you to remind you of friends and family? – Pics, mascots, music and a dancing chicken!
What frustrates you most about societies perception of a youngster taking on what you are about to do? -Not being ready to accept that I can do this. And being classed as a minor on all the forms that have to be signed off.
Colin Merry and Jessica Watson
Jessica came across as a level headed girl who has her sights firmly set on achieving her goal.
Jessica Waston (Photo by Colin Merry)
We at C&A wish her well and will be following her progress. For more information on Jessica log onto www.jessicawatson.com.au
Painting By Glyn Macey
An original painting by renowned Cornish artist Glyn Macey, depicting the little wooden boat sailed by Pete Goss to Australia , is being auctioned to raise funds for a local charity.
Glyn Macey has captured on canvas the beautiful lines of Spirit of Mystery, the 37-foot long Mounts Bay lugger that adventurer Pete Goss and his intrepid crew sailed to Melbourne earlier this year. The exciting voyage shone a spotlight on the bravery of seven Cornishmen who made the same perilous journey 154 years ago aboard the smallest migrant vessel ever to make it to Australia .
The stunning painting of the vessel in full sail, entitled Spirit of Mystery, has been finished in acrylic on canvas and will be sold to help improve the lives and education of children in Cornwall . In a generous gesture Glyn has agreed to sell the original painting, signed by the artist and Pete Goss , in aid of Cornwall Playing for Success – the charity of which Pete is a founding trustee.
The painting measures 30 x 40 inches (approximately 75 x 100 centimetres) and will be listed on eBay in a seven day auction commencing on the morning of Monday 15th June. All the proceeds will go to Cornwall Playing for Success. Since returning from Australia earlier this year, Pete has raised an additional £5000 for the charity with fundraising activities including talks about his adventures at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
Many of Glyn’s paintings are of the sea and he can often be found roaming the harbours, moorland and coast of his native West Cornwall , sketchbook in hand recording the details of daily Cornish life and history. So when Glyn heard about Pete’s latest project he jumped at the chance to record the epic voyage. Glyn said that he was inspired by the voyage and the story of heroism of the original crew.
It is particularly fitting that Glyn was born in Newlyn, the birthplace of the original Mystery which set sail from the Cornish port in 1854 carrying those brave Cornishmen who were seeking out a new life in the Victorian gold fields.
Glyn Macey said: “ Cornwall not only has inspirational land and seascapes, it also has a history of inspirational people whose influence has spread around the world. The original voyage of the Mystery has inspired people through the generations and now Pete Goss has inspired a new generation by following in their wake. It was a pleasure and privilege to paint Spirit of Mystery.”
Pete Goss said: “The picture is absolutely fantastic. I think few artists can truly capture the spirit of the sea but Glyn has. He has it in his hands as that is how he paints – with his hands. It is great that a Cornish artist has put himself out for Cornish schoolchildren who will benefit through his generosity.”
Cornwall Playing for Success:
For more information about Cornwall Playing for Success please visit: http://www.petegoss.com/playing-for-success.php.
Glyn Macey:
Glyn Macey was born in Newlyn, Cornwall in 1969. He completed his HND in Graphic Design at Falmouth School of Art in 1991.
Since leaving college, he has lived in Penzance, Cornwall ; his work developing in response to the unique environment of West Cornwall . He also worked as a successful designer until 1998 when he ‘retired’ from designing in order to devote his time solely to painting. Glyn Macey’s paintings can be seen in many collections world-wide and his design work is found in many major high street retailers. 2001 saw the publication worldwide of posters by The Art Group and limited edition silkscreens by CCA Galleries.
He can often be found roaming the harbours, moorland and coast of his native West Cornwall , sketchbook in hand recording the details of daily Cornish life and history. Such sketches are in turn used as the basis for the studio paintings.
Glyn uses acrylic, pencil and collage to gain the spontaneity of his work and the ‘happy accidents’ that he loves. By building and glazing colour he is able to gain a rich depth. He believes that the unexpected unity of colour and texture in mixed media can often create the most exciting results.
Despite a ferocious storm and large breaking seas in the Southern Ocean, Pete Goss and the crew of Spirit of Mystery say they are elated to have reached the halfway point between South Africa and Melbourne.
The long passage across the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean has so far seen its fair share of mixed weather, but it was as the little wooden lugger reached one of the most remote areas on Earth that the 37-foot-long vessel and the crew faced their toughest test to date.
Pete takes up the story: “It was mid morning before the storm decided to really show us what it had with a consistent 45-50 knots with gusts on top. The seas were steep, nasty and breaking, spume torn off the top adding vent to the driving rain as it bounced and tumbled across the ocean’s surface. Two hours on watch left us numbed by the shear ferocity of the elements; our faces stinging from the needle-like spray, bodies aching from the physical effort. No matter how much we ate it just didn’t seem to replenish that which was being burned.”
The adventure is very different to Pete’s previous sailing exploits, where the speed of his high-tech sailing yachts can be used to run before a storm or place the boat where it suits. Pete likened the 5-6 knots speed of Spirit of Mystery to a hedgehog crossing a busy motorway. “The most positive action available on hitting the fast lane is to shut your eyes and hope,” he said.
Celebrating crossing the halfway point on Valentine’s Day, thoughts on board have turned to being reunited with loved ones.
With 2,692NM to go and the storm behind them without damage or injury, Pete said that he felt able to calculate the approximate arrival date in Melbourne, which after much thought he is estimating will be around 10th March.
Updates will be given as the voyage progresses and people can follow Spirit of Mystery via Pete’s website which features a satellite tracking facility. Pete also writes an engaging daily blog from the boat, which can be seen on his website at petegoss.com.
Pete and the crew hope that as many people as possible will turn out to welcome them to Australia , including descendants of the original brave crew who sailed the wooden Mounts Bay lugger Mystery from Cornwall to Australia between November 1854 and March 1855.
Photo courtesy of Pete Goss/PeteGoss.com
Pete Goss and crew are back out on their adventure. Here is an Pete talking about their beginnings of this leg “Last night was a very long night on the helm for all of us seem to be inordinately tired and I am not quite sure why. A combination of not much sleep in South Africa thanks to hard work and play, feeling a bit ill and trying to settle into the watch system I suspect. There is also the mental side of squaring away the scale of the next leg; 5,500NM in the Southern Ocean takes a couple of days to put into context such that it is broken down into the daily routine of here and now, bit by bit.
This morning, our second at sea, was the morning that I felt I had started to settle back into ships routine. For a start I didn’t feel ill when I woke up. Two cups of coffee, four slices of toast and a morning constitutional before relieving Mark had me feeling human again. I was able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean again rather than grind through the watch with a dull eyed fixation on the compass and my ever so slow watch. You have no idea of how long two hours can drag unless you have been ill and tired on the helm.
Suddenly it was lovely to be at sea again and as the influence of the land recedes over the horizon so the pleasure of the ocean and its simple routines takes over. The fresh milk has gone off; some of the bananas have had to be ditched despite being green when they came on board. The solar panels went up this morning to allow the sun to do its magic on our batteries. We are starting to be at one with nature and its rhythms again.”
Follow more of Pete an his crew’s adventures at www.PeteGoss.com
