Kathleen and May of Bideford: Sailing from Clovelly

ABOUT THE SHIP

Built in Connahs Quay in 1900 and named "Lizzie May". Sold to Martyn Fleming of Youghal Ireland in 1908 and re named after his daughters Kathleen & May". Working the ports of western England , Wales and the south and east ports of Ireland. Crewed by skipper, boy and four seamen, operating under sail only. Bought by Tommy Jewell in 1931 the ship had an auxilary engine fitted, the top masts taken down and the bowsprit reduced. She continued trading in this manner with now only a crew of four up to 1960, bringing her last cargo from Cardiff to Bideford. Bringing to an end centuraries of transporting cargo under sail. Eleven years later the Kathleen & May was partly restored by the Maritime trust and put on show first in Plymouth then in London.

By 1995 the ship was in a seriously distressed state and required major restoration work. Lacking the essential funds the ship was closed to the public and after having the masts & spars removed was taken round to Gloucester docks to await an uncertain end. Saved in time by Bideford businessman Steve Clarke and bought back to her home port for a full restoration. For his part in the restoration and contribution to our maritime heritage Mr Clarke received the OBE.
The full story of the Kathleen & May is available at only £3.00 plus postage.

The ship is of historic importance, and, as the last of her type, is part of the Core Collection of the National Register of Historic Vessels (NRHV).

Friday 12 June 2009

Sailing from Clovelly

Due to Fair Winds Wine cancelling our next trip, with just 16 hours notice, due to lack of orders, our plans for the passage to Bordeaux are currently on hold.

We find ourselves in the unenviable position of trying to recoup some of the costs we have incurred in setting up for the trip.

Fortunately for our local supporters this means that we will be arriving in Clovelly on Saturday morning, and hope to do trips from there. We are carrying wine from our previous adventures which will be on sale on board.

So now is your chance to help play a real part in the preservation of this wonderful ship by joining us at Clovelly for either 2 hour trips, a day sail or a charter to Lundy.

We are hoping to move on to Padstow at the end of the week and there will be limited space for this 12 hour coastal sight-seeing trip.

For more information please either call Sacha on 07741 009991, or pop down to Clovelly and talk to one of the crew. The itinerary appears here.