AfiftTh-PThffftffiftff BflThft J/Afi 167“Gipsy Moth IV has no sentimental value for me at all. She is
cantankerous and difficult and needs a crew of three – a man to
navigate, an elephant to move the tiller and a 3ft 6in [1.1m] chimpanzee
with arms 8ft [2.4m] long to get about below and work some of the gear.”
In July 1968, Gipsy Moth IV was placed into a purpose-built dry dock
next to the Cutty Sark in Greenwich and opened to the public. Just over
four years later, Sir Francis passed away due to cancer. Meanwhile, his
famous boat was left to gradually decay for 36 years.
Bought from the Greenwich Maritime Trust in 2004 for £1 and agin and tonic (said to be the favourite drink of Sir Francis), Gipsy Moth
IV was taken by road back to Camper & Nicholson’s boatyard, where
she was lovingly restored at cost by a some of the original shipwrights
that came out of retirement to help. On June 20 2005, Gipsy Moth IV
was re-launched after a £400,000 refit with money raised by donations
from the public, and equipment and services given by the British marine
industry. She embarked on a 21-month educational round-the-world
voyage in September with the Blue Water Round the World Rally, via the
trade wind route and the Panama and Suez Canals (not the Capes as had
been followed in its first circumnavigation).
This time the circumnavigation was divided
into several legs, each crewed by a different
Skipper, mate and four young people through
the UK Sailing Association. The aim was to
promote the return of this remarkable piece of
maritime history, inspire a new generation of
sailors and continue the legacy of Sir Francis
40 years on. In spring 2006, she ran aground
on an atoll in the South Pacific. An extensive
restoration in Auckland was required and she
was re-floated in June 2006.
After being accompanied into Plymouth
by a flotilla of boats, Gipsy Moth IV docked
at West Hoe Pier on May 28 2007, as she had
done exactly 40 years earlier to complete her
journey round the world. The Gipsy Moth
Trust was launched in July 2011 and she
remains with the charity for people of all ages
to see and sail.
http://www.rolex.com
http://www.chichestertrust.org
http://www.gipsymoth.orgPHOTO: CHICHESTER ARCHIVE/PPL
Left: Sir Francis Chichester onboard Gipsy Moth IV.
Below: 1965 Oyster Perpetual.
Bottom: Sir Francis Chichester (1901-1972) on Gipsy Moth IV alongside
Lady Chichester and their son as they sail up the River Thames in London.