Tall Ships Meets Small Ships
A Cornishman’s dreams of returning a Classic Falmouth working boat to its home waters will come true this week at the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta in Falmouth. Sara, a 70 year old 23’ Bermudan rigged Classic working boat is to be re-launched from the Royal Falmouth Yacht Club moorings this Saturday and will make her maiden voyage amongst the magnificent Tall Ships Parade of Sail due to start at 1pm.
The traditional wooden built boat has been lovingly restored by Wadebridge born master carpenter Steve Collop. Steve undertook the four year labour of love as a tribute to his father Peter and brother Paul who recently died within a short space of each other. Both Peter and Paul were master craftsmen who were well known and respected throughout Cornwall.
Sara has had an eventful life since being commissioned in 1938. As well as plying her home waters of Falmouth she made an epic journey to America in the 1950’s. Since those glory days she has passed through many hands before Steve rescued her in 2004 and began the restoration with fellow Wadebridge craftsman Terry Erskine. Saturday will see the culmination of four years work when Sara sets sail with the Tall Ships.
Bursting with pride and anticipating a great day on Saturday Steve Collop said: “Restoring Sara has been a real passion of mine for the last four years and the memory of loved ones, who would have relished the opportunity to sail on such a boat has kept me going. Sara is now back in her home waters in Falmouth and I am so proud that her maiden voyage will be in such esteemed company as the Worlds greatest Tall Ships.” |
