Classic_Boat_2016-01

Third time lucky

What makes a yacht lucky – or unlucky – enough to be restored three times? Well, Rawhiti (pronounced

'raf-it-ee'), built in 1905 in triple-diagonal kauri, not uncommon with yachts of that period in the southern

hemisphere, is pretty special. She’s the largest, last, and probably finest of all of Arch Logan’s flush-

decked, gaff-rigged racing cutters at 54ft (16.5m), and arguably the benchmark for big-yacht restoration

in New Zealand, which has such a healthy traditional sailing scene. This third restoration sounds like one to

go the distance: previous attempts were of variable quality. We covered the story of Rawhiti in 2012.

PORTSMOUTH, HANTS

Mary Rose to

be unveiled

completely

The Mary Rose Museum has

announced a major revamp to

the way that they are going to

display the famous Tudor

warship. The screens that

surround the ship at the

museum will be replaced with

glass to give unrestricted views

from stem to stern and on all

three viewing levels. What’s

more, an airlock will allow

visitors to enter the upper

gallery and share the same

space as the ship, which exists

in a carefully controlled

environment. The Mary Rose

was launched in 1512 and sank in

1545, was discovered in 1971 and

famously raised in 1982. Today,

she is the only 16th-century

warship on display in the world.

WILL CALVER

NEIL NICKLIN

HMS Pickle was the famous topsail schooner

that brought the news of Nelson's death – and

victory – from Trafalgar to England in 1805,

writes Peter Harrold.

The 1996-built replica was in need of a major

overhaul when Mal Nicholson, owner and

restorer of the Sheffield super sloop Spider T,

saw her for sale on eBay in spring 2014.

After an aborted attempt to bring her home

under motor, Pickle was taken out of the water

at Vilamoura and the full extent of the work

needed was revealed. It included new frames,

planking, deck beams and decking. Over the

next 12 months the work was carried out to a

very high standard, using a combination of the

yard’s professional skills and Mal's enthusiastic

band of volunteers.

Pickle is now moored alongside Spider T at

Keadby lock on the Trent, where Mal is adding

the finishing touches to this unique vessel – the

only replica of a ship from Trafalgar.

Mal intended to use Pickle for corporate charter

and sail training, focusing on youngsters that

would not normally get the chance to go to sea.

Sounds like a candidate for next year’s

Restoration award: for this year's shortlist, see

page 37 in this issue – ed

KEADBY, LINCOLNSHIRE

Pickle comes home

Rawhiti

1905