- 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.
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!
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.”
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