Traditional Boats & Tall Ships Magazine

The Mariners International Club

The Mariners International Club is a non profit-making worldwide network of traditional boats and tall ships enthusiasts.  Membership offers group sailing opportunities, a lively annual dinner with exciting, distinguished speakers and the club magazine Windjammer, keeping tabs on worldwide traditional sail.  Members are encouraged to submit news, views and articles! 

The MIC has been established for over 30 years and is now seeking new enthusiasts - if you'd like to join, there's more information on their website, or you can contact the Club membership secretary directly.  General enquiries should be made to Tim Dodwell, Birches, Balmer Lawn Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7TT. 

"On the skyline, the tall ships sail by..."

All 'Hands' on deck as Phil Beer’s tall story sets sail... the multi-instrumental musical wizard from top English acoustic roots band Show of Hands is a man with two missions - to shed the pounds and sail the seas.  Based in Exeter, Phil has toured for more than 15 years with singer-songwriter Steve Knightley in an award-winning double act.  He has now swapped the Albert Hall to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, leaving Devon for the Baltic in summer 2009.  The above title is a lyric from Show of Hands - have a listen to their folksy magic. 

At the start of Show of Hands' recent spring tour, Phil announced he was going on a five-month sponsored slim, weighing in at 18st 9lbs at the first gig in Leicester.  His slimathon, enthusiastically backed by SoH fans, followed the news last autumn that Steve’s young son Jack had leukaemia – a diagnosis that forced the frontman out of the autumn tour, which was then kept on the road by Phil and regular guest musician Miranda Sykes.  Fans, especially those from the supporters’ group Longdogs, raised thousands of pounds for the charity CLIC Sargent (Cancer & Leukaemia in Childhood) and happily Jack is now on the road to recovery.  Said Phil, "I wanted to do something personally with this in mind so half the money raised from the slim will go to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, where young Jack is being treated." 

Phil, who has already lost 1 stone 5lbs, says the remaining money raised will be split between the Alzheimer’s Society and MS Research.  He has also revealed there is an end game keeping him motivated as he counts the calories – to crew in the famous Tall Ships' Races in 2009.  "Obviously I will need to be slimmer and fitter to be accepted but it’s a lifelong ambition of mine. Everyone has a dream – and that’s mine.  It would mean taking eight weeks out of Show of Hands' festival season but anyone who knows how much I enjoy performing live music will realise that only something very special would take me away from it." 

Phil’s hope, should he reach his goal, would be to help crew the Pegasus, a 74' rigged wooden cutter built in Bristol, in an expedition taking in twelve countries and 4,500 nautical miles between June and August '09.  Designed by top naval architect Ed Burnett and built by the Bristol Classic Boat Company, Pegasus will leave Salcombe on June 21st and ply 1,000 miles of waters to Gydnia in Poland.  The first leg of the actual race is Gydnia to St Petersburg, followed by a non-racing stretch of the voyage to Turku in Finland.  From there the second leg of the race heads across the Baltic Sea to Klaipeda in Lithuania where the final crew parade, prize-giving and race events take place.  Then Pegasus heads home via Sweden and Denmark. 

Up to 100 vessels, crewed by more than 5,000 people from some 30 countries will take part in the challenging, high-profile event.  Phil, who has his own small craft which he sails around the River Exe or to Show of Hands’ riverside studio, says: "There is another connection in as much as Diggory Rose, the son of our late friend and folk singer Tom Rose, will be skipper of Pegasus."

Owned by the Island Trust, who promote sailing opportunities for disadvantaged young people, the Pegasus will be officially launched by broadcaster and journalist Polly Toynbee on Thursday, May 22nd at Redcliffe Wharf, Bristol - with music provided by Phil.

D-Day landings come to life onboard HMS Belfast

To commemorate her role in D-Day, wartime history will be re-enacted this May half-term break onboard HMS Belfast, London's 11,550 tonne floating naval museum moored on the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge.  On 6th June 1944, thousands of Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy in northern France, starting the invasion which ultimately led to victory in Europe.  In a week of activities between Monday 26th and Saturday 31st May 2008, visitors to the 613ft ship will find out what life was really like for crew during the landings.  They will relive events by listening to stories from different actors, talking about their roles in the invasion.  Guests will also be able to take part in fun, interactive, educational activities such as... 

The Wavy Navy living history group will be carrying out a range of activities throughout the week including a series of 4-inch gun drills.  These guns would have protected Belfast against attack by enemy aircraft during the Normandy Landings.  The drills take place every day at 11.00am, 1.30pm, 4.00 and 5pm.  There is a daily free raffle to win the rare opportunity to fire a 4-inch gun at the above scheduled times.

Professional actors on board will play different crew characters (an admiral, war correspondent, engineering officer, midshipman and seaman) and explain their roles in the landings.  Visitors can talk to and take photos of these colourful characters, receive old fashioned date stamps from each character to be added in their Second World War Security pass (which they receive on entry and can be kept as a memento) and hear the extraordinary tales of tension, anticipation and sheer adrenaline of the moment as land, air and sea forces receive their orders for Operation Overlord.

Visitors will be called to 'action stations' as the ship prepares for attack from enemy fire, and witness damage control sessions as the crew skilfully shores up HMS Belfast from damage that could sink the ship and all 950 men onboard.  There's also a chance to view film clips and news reels from the Normandy Landings. 

There is dressing-up for children (entry is free for kids under 16) so that they can try on battledress and naval uniforms.

D-Day artefacts used by the men who landed on the Normandy Beaches over 60 years ago and original documents relating to HMS Belfast's involvement with D-Day and Operation Overlord will be on display.

Brad King, director of HMS Belfast commented, "The invasion of Normandy was the largest amphibious assault ever launched and it marked the turning point in the war for the Allies.  It involved five army divisions in the initial assault, over 7,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft.  In total 75,215 British and Canadian troops and 57,500 US troops were landed by sea on D-Day.  Another 23,400 were landed by air.  The event is one of the most important in wartime history and it is being brought to life on board HMS Belfast in an interactive and informative way so that people will not forget the part of that naval history played in the Second World War." 

HMS Belfast can be found at Morgan's Lane, Tooley Street, London, SE1 2JH, moored on the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge - the nearest Tube stations are London Bridge and Tower Hill.  Have a look at their website for more information about opening times and prices. 

HMS Belfast is a cruiser, the last remaining big-gun armoured warship from the Second World War left in Europe. She was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, and was launched on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 1938.  On Boxing Day, 1943, she played a leading part in the destruction of the German battle cruiser Scharnhorst at the Battle of North Cape.  In June 1944 HMS Belfast took part in the D-Day landings as the flagship of Bombardment Force 'E' of the Eastern Naval Task Force, providing gunfire support to troops landing on Gold and Juno beaches.  After the war, she supported United Nations forces in Korea and remained in service with the Royal Navy until 1965, after which she became a Harbour Accommodation Ship.  In May 1971, after 32 years service, HMS Belfast was 'Reduced to Disposal', in preparation for her sale and destruction by the ship's breakers. With the encouragement of the Imperial War Museum, an independent trust was formed, led by one of HMS Belfast's former captains, Rear-Admiral Sir Morgan Morgan Giles.  The trust succeeded in bringing her to London where she opened to visitors on Trafalgar Day, 21 October 1971.  HMS Belfast has been part of the Imperial War Museum since 1978 and is the first ship to be preserved for the nation since Nelson's Victory.

32nd America’s Cup to sell assets

GoIndustry-DoveBid, the global leader in online auctions, has now published the full catalogue of assets from the 32nd America’s Cup, due to be auctioned on an exclusive online sale at www.32ACauction.com  The extensive catalogue offers F. Pajot catamarans, pictured above, as used by the umpires, and also Rayglass RIBs used by the organisation.  Additionally, America’s Cup fans will have a rare opportunity to take home a piece of memorabilia by bidding for team-autographed pieces of the Alinghi main sail.  The catalogue also includes some of the singular objects that were displayed during the competition such as the sailing simulator that allowed visitors to have a go at real AC sailing.  Be sharp!  Bidding closes on May 21st at 17h00. 

Charleston completes Atlantic Challenge 2009

Charleston, South Carolina, is the seventh and final port to sign up to host the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 and completes the course for this spectacular odyssey for sail training Tall Ships.  The Atlantic Challenge is a 7,000 nautical mile race series around the North Atlantic, following the traditional route taken by sailing ships of yesteryear.  An international fleet and trainee crews from around the world are expected to compete in the Challenge series, organised by Sail Training International in collaboration with the American Sail Training Association. 

“We are delighted to be joining in with what we know will be a memorable event for all concerned,” says the Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr.  “The city is very used to hosting Tall Ships, so our community will ensure a warm Southern welcome for the crews when they sail into port.” 

The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge will start in Vigo, Spain from 30th April to 3rd May.  The fleet (including Bark Europa, left) will race to Tenerife in the Canary Islands (14th to 17th May), then across the Atlantic to Bermuda (12th to 15th June) where they will form the centrepiece of year-long celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of permanent settlement on the island.  From Bermuda the fleet will race west to Charleston, SC, (25th to 29th June), then up the US east coast to Boston, Mass (8th to 13th July) and onwards to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (16th to 20th July).  From there the fleet will race back across the North Atlantic to Belfast, UK (13th to 16th August) for the final prize-giving celebrations.   

It's a 'flook' at the Maritime Museum Cornwall

The National Maritime Museum Cornwall continues to deliver an ever-changing experience to its visitors with the new installation of a rare historic boat.  Flook, the very first Heron dinghy, designed by the world-renowned and highly respected Jack Holt, has recently been suspended from the Museum’s ceiling, adding to the collection of flying boats already sailing through the attraction’s vast Flotilla gallery. 

Designed in 1950, this 58-year old was, and is, a popular DIY starter boat.  In the years following WWII, people began taking to the water in greater numbers than they ever had before, and by utilising wartime technology, when superior plywood and glues were developed, designers were able to provide a new range of affordable boats.  Enormously practical, the Heron can be rowed, sailed or even driven by a small outboard motor.  Like the later Mirror Dinghy, it is capable of being carried on the roof of a family car.  The Heron remains tremendously popular, with international ownership in excess of 10,000.

In addition to the Heron other Jack Holt designs include the Mirror dinghy (No.1 is in on display in the Museum’s Set Sail Gallery), International Enterprise, British Moth, Solo, Hornet, Flying Ten, Lazy E, Merlin, Prelude, Streaker and many more.  See Heron No.1 for yourself and admire Jack Holt’s legacy at National Maritime Museum Cornwall. 

RNLI memorial design revealed

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has selected a design for a sculpture to pay tribute to the hundreds of volunteer crew members who have lost their lives while saving others at sea over the last 184 years - as well as the many RNLI lifesavers and fundraisers who have served the charity.  The sculpture, by Sam Holland ARBS, will be located at the charity’s Poole headquarters, opposite the Lifeboat College, ‘home of the RNLI’, where future generations of lifesavers and fundraisers will train, and can be inspired by the memorial.  The sculpture was chosen by a team that represented all the people of the RNLI. They meticulously judged over 64 detailed submissions through three judging steps and unanimously agreed on the final design.  It is hoped that the sculpture will be unveiled in the summer of 2009. 

The sculpture, of a person in a boat saving another from the water, symbolises the history, and future, of the RNLI in its most basic and humanitarian form.  Radiating from the boat are flat bands of stainless steel, flush with the ground, providing both the effect of waves and a material onto which the names of those who have lost their lives can be engraved.  Relatives and the general public will be able to walk round the sculpture and look at the names of those remembered.  Philip Gilbert, the RNLI Sculpture Project Chairman explains that, "The selection group has looked at lots of memorial concepts, from traditional to contemporary, and this seems to be a combination of the two.  This inspirational and striking sculpture encapsulates the very essence of the RNLI – saving lives around our islands.  It is simple and timeless, is accessible and possesses an energy – the power, strength and commitment of a rescue.  The names of more than six hundred crew members who have lost their lives will become an integral part of the sculpture – written on the sea  – a poignant and direct emotional link for anyone wanting to remember, reflect and be inspired.  Constructed of stainless steel, a nautical reference, it will fit well in its surroundings, close to the sea."

Try the RNLI website for more information, and anyone wishing to support the memorial directly can make a donation to the RNLI Poole Headquarters marked 'Memorial'.