Next Friday, October 12, the Cornwall Pirates rugby team will pull the historic boat along Newlyn's Strand and into the harbour at around 2pm.

The rising tide will then float the 44-foot tarred vessel at the place where she last landed fish 74 years ago. Once fully operational, the Ripple will be the only working Cornish fishing lugger in the world.

The launch will mark the start of her new career with the West Cornwall Lugger Industry Trust Ltd, offering enthusiasts the experience of sailing and fishing on a lugger that last worked when fishing was a sustainable industry.

The Ripple SS19 (St Ives) is now the oldest fishing boat on the UK Fishing Vessel Register, carrying her original name and number from 1896.

For nearly four decades she fished the waters of the South West, earning a reputation as one of the most successful boats in Newlyn.

But in December 1933, shortly before she was due to depart from St Ives Harbour for the herring fishery at Plymouth, a disastrous fire broke out on board which damaged her so badly it ended her fishing career. After repair and conversion to a gentleman's motor yacht, at Looe in 1936, she spent more than 50 years moored at Port Navas.

Next month's launch follows the completion of the main part of the Ripple's restoration.

After floating, further work on the masts, spars, ballast and internal fittings will be carried out in Newlyn Harbour.

Then sailing, engine and fishing trials will take place.

Celebrations next Friday will include Saffron buns and lemonade in the spirit of the teetotal, Methodist traditions of the 1900s community.

Owner John Lambourn said: "The Ripple symbolises regeneration in Newlyn.

"She is a tangible example of getting the past to work for the future, inspiring the next generation to find ways of benefiting from the richness of Newlyn's fishing heritage and learning how the past can help shape a vision for a sustainable fishing industry."

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN 

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