The
Ripple, a 44ft tarred boat built 111 years ago, has been subject to a
four-year restoration project near Newlyn harbour and is now the
world's only working Cornish lugger.
In a ceremony aided by the raw brawn of Cornish Pirates rugby team members, she has now been placed back in the water.
Owner John Lambourn said she was a special kind of boat - in and out of the water.
"The
Ripple symbolises regeneration in Newlyn," he said. "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."
The Ripple SS.19 was built on
the Harbour Beach in St Ives in 1896 and is now the oldest fishing boat
on the UK Fishing Vessel Register carrying her original name and
fishing registry number.
The historic ship, which was restored
by the West Cornwall Lugger Industry Trust, will tomorrow be blessed by
the Rev Julyan Drew, Methodist minister for Newlyn and Mousehole.
article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS