Bessie Ellen Scotland 2012v2.pub - Classic Sailing

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Bessie Ellen Built: Plymouth 1904 Gross Registered Tonnage: 87 T Rig: gaff ketch with 8 sails Sparred Length Overall: 35.5m Length on Deck: 25.6m Beam: 6m Draft: 2.4m Crew : 4 Guest Crew: 12 Our maritime heritage - still sailing the oceans Built in 1904, Bessie Ellen is one of the last three surviving West Country trading ketches (out of a fleet of over 700) still sailing and the only one with a worldwide charter licence from the UK Marine Coastguard Agency. Bessie Ellen traded cargoes during the final era of sail when these ships were an everyday sight in the small ports and harbours throughout Europe. She continued to run cargoes under sail through both world wars until 1947. Bessie Ellen then began a new life in Denmark, where she continued to run local cargoes under motor. Her current Cornwall based owner Nikki Alford saw her potential in a Danish shipyard. With considerable determination, she managed to buy Bessie Ellen in 2000 and complete her restoration to a magnificent sailing ship once again. Classic Sailing worked with Nikki for 4 years and her voyaging from the Scillies to Morbihan and Scotland to Norway built up a loyal band of regular guest crew. The Scandinavians lured her away to the Baltic for a few years, but now she is back to stay as a British flagged vessel. Running Cargoes Under Sail for 100 years Now on the UK Core Historic Ships Register but with no intention of retiring to a museum, Bessie Ellen continues to earn her keep. Even as recently as 2010 Bessie Ellen converted her lovely saloon back to a hold space and ran wine cargoes, but now the ship is back doing what she and Nikki do best: Adventurous ‘hands-on’ charter holidays where her precious cargo is any adventurous soul who wants an authentic experience of traditional ships in the best cruising grounds we can find. Lively Sailing & Plenty of Deck Space With two masts and lofty topmasts increasing her height further, Bessie Ellen has a lot of sail to play with, and it takes team work to hoist the heavy main and mizzen gaff sails. In light winds or racing she can carry topsails on both masts, and forward there are 4 headsails to tack:- Staysail, inner and out jib and jib topsail, so if you like the idea of being out on the bowsprit with the ships bow wave beneath you, then there are plenty of sails to stow out there. Bessie Ellen has fine underwater lines and is fairly shallow draught so she is surprisingly responsive under sail. Accommodation Below The heart of this tough wooden ship is the cargo hold, now an impressive communal living space, where you can lie in your bunk and still feel the huge ships timbers surrounding you, or relax in the evening with new found friends (sleeps up to 12 guest crew). You will feel part of a bygone era, but with the homely comforts of a hot and spacious shower, and freshly cooked food on the spacious tables made of wood salvaged from a Perry Orchard. The bunks down each side of this huge space have a reading light and curtains for privacy, with storage for your things in lockers under the bench seating. The floors are oak, and on sunny days in port or at anchor the cargo hold roof can be opened up to let the sun stream in. If you are taller than average then Bessie Ellen has ample headroom below decks. There is a separate galley and crew quarters. Reservations UK Office: 0044 (0) 1872 580022 www.classic-sailing.co.uk
Crewing a traditional sailing ship Bessie Ellen has 8 sails and is gaff rigged on main and mizzen masts with lofty topsails, so there is plenty to play with in order to manoeuvre this lively little ship in the narrow straits. She is an impressive vessel to steer with the big ships wheel, and you will be fully trained throughout the voyage, so don’t worry if you have never sailed before. Small Professional Crew There is a generally a skipper, mate / cook and 2 deckhands, so everyone who signs up for adventure on Bessie Ellen will get plenty of hands on sailing, and we are happy to explain or involve you in the navigation. If there is any night sailing then you will be split into watches, but generally you will be at anchor overnight. There is no specific upper age limit but you do need reasonable agility and fitness as you are living on a ship that heels at an angle under sail, and the usual route ashore is by climbing down a short ladder to a ships boat. Reservations UK Office: 0044 (0) 1872 580022 Midsummer in the Hebrides & Western Isles Bessie Ellen will sail from Cornwall to Western Scotland in June and again in July to offer several special sailing and wildlife expeditions starting and finishing in Oban. If you are looking for a proper sailing ship that has plenty of room above and below decks, but still offers an intimate sailing experience with only 12 guest crew, the Bessie Ellen is a great choice. Although Bessie Ellen roves around Europe, the ships crew have explored Scotland many times. Getting to and from her home waters of Cornwall is no mean feat, in fact, it is a seafaring adventure. Bessie Ellen leaves Cornish waters in May, visiting both the Whitehaven and Liverpool Maritime Festivals. She will then head North and into the Irish Sea arriving in Oban 5 days later. Her return is in July, and will be a slightly faster voyage with few or no stops en route. Both voyages are suitable for beginners, and those wishing to www.classic-sailing.co.uk
Page 1: S/V Bessie Ellen 1904 British saili
Page 5 and 6: Explore West Coast of Scotland unde
Page 7 and 8: Voyage Preparation for Bessie Ellen

Bessie Ellen Scotland 2012v2.pub - Classic Sailing

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