Also see:
The process of getting Ripple back into full sailing seagoing condition has begun
Ripple now has new stem and stern posts and a new forefoot of elm
A gold and silver coin is placed at the base of the stem and the stern post

Newlyn Marine Heritage Project
Restoration of “Ripple” SS.19
Double ended West Cornwall sailing fishing lugger

Ripple is a survivor, as far as is known there are only two other original double ended West Cornwall sailing fishing luggers left. Ripple and the other two, Barnabas at Mylor awaiting restoration and the Rosalind on the East Coast of America, are all St Ives boats. Ripple is the largest.

These distinctive fishing boats peculiar to West Cornwall were once commonly seen at Newlyn and in the waters off Cornwall fishing with nets for pilchards, mackerel and herring. They landed their catches at Newlyn a hundred years ago.

This is a unique boat with a long and colourful local history. Restoration started in April 2004 is now well advanced and is expected to be completed this summer. Restoration will return Ripple to full seagoing sailing condition to be kept at Newlyn as part of Newlyn’s marine heritage.

Built as a Pilchard Driver in 1896 on the beach in St Ives harbour by Henry Trevorrow for Betsy Barber, Ripple was first registered at St Ives in 1896 as a sailing fishing lugger. Her son William was Ripple’s first and only fishing skipper and fished Ripple until 1933 with his brother Mathew for most of that time. Originally propelled by sail only, principally two lugsails carried on two masts, this was later boosted in 1915 by the installation of a 16 hp port wing engine. In 1927 Ripple was cut in half and lengthened by adding ten feet in the middle.

Peake’s whose yard used to be close to the Tolcarne Inn did this work. The engine was replaced by a new engine of 26 hp and an additional engine of the same horsepower also fitted. The effect of this increase in size and power was to make Ripple into a Mackerel Driver capable of going farther distance, able to carry and work more nets and subsequently bring home more fish. After this Ripple was a top landing boat in Newlyn. There are still some around who can remember Ripple’s catches.

Following a serious engine-room fire in 1933 at St Ives a few hours before departure for the herring fishery at Plymouth, Ripple ceased fishing. She then spent the next sixty-eight years as a genleman’s motor yacht and houseboat in and around the Fal estuary, under the brief ownership of Dick Winfrey and then for nearly fifty years kept at Porth Navas by Arther and Ralph Tomlin. Eventually after having several more owners she sank at her moorings at Penryn and had to be taken ashore. Ripple is now length overall 44 feet, beam 13 feet 3 inches and will displace 25 tons when she returns to the water. Construction is carvel with 15 planks plus a sheer strake on each side fastened to 28 frames. She carried a crew of 5.

A team of five works on the Ripple with volunteers helping out from time to time. Restoration work is well advanced and will be completed later this summer. Oak for the frames came from Tregothnan, Tresillian and Trelissick near Truro, other oak came from Mylor, Fowey and Hereford. Elm used to scarf in a new forefoot to the keel and make the rigging blocks came from Tregothnan. Larch used for the planks came from Dumfries in Scotland. A surprising amount of metal goes into a lugger most of it worked into fastenings and rigging fittings by blacksmiths at Helston and St Buryan.

She will carry two masts and be rigged to sail with a dipping forelugsail and a standing after lugsail. The sails to original specifications are being made in Falmouth. Although propulsion will be by sail there will be two auxiliary engines each 50 horsepower, fitted as wing engines port and starboard driving folding propellers. Ripple will be able to carry twelve including the crew. She will be re-registered as a fishing vessel using her original number SS.19 and name Ripple. She will also be licensed to carry passengers.

The intention is for Ripple to earn her keep by providing on a sponsored basis, the opportunity of an educational experience sailing on a West Cornwall fishing lugger, taking part in fishing with drift nets, landing the catch and seeing it sold on the fish market.

Hopefully there will be other luggers to follow in Ripple’s wake and help rekindle awareness of the impact that these boats have had on West Cornwall. Two of them appear on the West Penwith coat of arms, they represent the part they play in our heritage and identity.

Ripple Restoration 14th July 2005