Pete Goss is building
his vessel Spirit of Mystery in a boatyard at Millbrook.
Seven
Cornishmen made a heroic journey from Newlyn to Australia 153 years ago
for the gold rush. They left Cornwall in November 1854 on board Mystery
- an open Mount's Bay lugger.
Now Pete wants to emulate this epic voyage and aims to keep his vessel as true to the original Mystery as possible.
Although
there will be concessions for safety, there will be no engine, toilet
or modern electrical and navigational systems. So far, the keel, stem
and stern of Spirit of Mystery have been laid and much of the wood has
been sourced locally, including using fallen Cornish oak.
Pete said he is enjoying building the boat and looking forward to navigating by the stars.
He
said: "I have always wanted to build a wooden boat and relish the
challenge and adventure of sailing such a small vessel to Australia.
"In short, I just fancy it and, as in the past, I find that is enough to just get up and go for it.
"So
here we are on the brink of another exciting adventure that has the
added element of history, which I find I am really enjoying.
"Life is for living and this, for me, is life at its best."
It is planned to launch Spirit of Mystery on Saturday, June 21, and commence the passage in mid-October.
Spirit of Mystery will also support Cornwall Playing for Success, an educational charity of which Pete is founding trustee.
Frank
Perry, the charity's chairman, said: "I am so excited at the
opportunity for Cornwall Playing for Success to be linked to Pete's
exciting project.
"Cornish schoolchildren will be engaged in all
aspects of the project and curriculum materials will be developed to
enable them to have a real understanding of the significance of the
original voyage, as well as the complexity of organising and
undertaking such a journey today."
For further information, please go to
www.petegoss.com
article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS