Charles Watson
10-04-2008, 02:36 PM
I had the privilege to be one of the many owners of Tern IV. I first saw her languishing on a mooring off Faro in the Algarve. That was 1989. A year later I made another offer on her and this was accepted by the Portuguese owner. Tern was in a sorry state but sound and with a new suit of sails more or less seaworthy. Back in the UK I had her refitted Well, refastened, new engine and returned her to a yawl rig. She then appeared in the last series of Howards Way as the Xanadu. I worked her for eleven years. The furthest afield she went with me was to Madeira. I liked the island so much I made it my home. I sailed Tern back to the UK, to Charlestown and sold her in 2001 to an american.
I saw some rather old messages on the bulletin board about Tern III and Tern IV
I owned Tern IV for about eleven years. Last I heard she was sighted in the Pacific, probably heading to the Hawaian Islands - 2004/5
Tern III was not wrecked in the windies but was torched in a fjord in Norway (according to Claud's secretary) to prevent her falling in to German hands at the outbreak of war. Tern IV was painted battleship grey and left in a mud berth for the duration of WWII.
I am not sure I ever said that I would set fire to Tern IV. I recall writing to Classic Boat and saying it was all very well enthusiasts talking about how important these fine vessels were but it is hard to find someone who is prepared to pay decent money for a piece of important maritime history. Tern cost me a packet. Think skint but in terms of the current US bank bailout!
She was a fine vessel. I met wonderful people and I learnt a lot about seamanship - a pastime that is not properly practiced by the majority of todays plastic marina to marina yachtsmen.
You know you are doing it more or less right when you take a seventy-six foot, forty ton gaffer out of a tight little marina and get a round of applause!
I think Tern will survive the rigours of the Pacific, her specification was superb. The photograph of her showed her sailing bald-headed and, as one would expect, rather battle worn. If you have a million to spend on returning her to original state, Dick Worth near the Helford has a good set of blue prints, but do beware, her value would only be about three hundred thousand!. I took her out once into the Little Russell on my own and gently marked time off St Peter's Port with a couple of headsails and the mizzen set. Really for cruising four or five would be better.
I had many amazing experiences with her but have rattled on for long enough.
I saw some rather old messages on the bulletin board about Tern III and Tern IV
I owned Tern IV for about eleven years. Last I heard she was sighted in the Pacific, probably heading to the Hawaian Islands - 2004/5
Tern III was not wrecked in the windies but was torched in a fjord in Norway (according to Claud's secretary) to prevent her falling in to German hands at the outbreak of war. Tern IV was painted battleship grey and left in a mud berth for the duration of WWII.
I am not sure I ever said that I would set fire to Tern IV. I recall writing to Classic Boat and saying it was all very well enthusiasts talking about how important these fine vessels were but it is hard to find someone who is prepared to pay decent money for a piece of important maritime history. Tern cost me a packet. Think skint but in terms of the current US bank bailout!
She was a fine vessel. I met wonderful people and I learnt a lot about seamanship - a pastime that is not properly practiced by the majority of todays plastic marina to marina yachtsmen.
You know you are doing it more or less right when you take a seventy-six foot, forty ton gaffer out of a tight little marina and get a round of applause!
I think Tern will survive the rigours of the Pacific, her specification was superb. The photograph of her showed her sailing bald-headed and, as one would expect, rather battle worn. If you have a million to spend on returning her to original state, Dick Worth near the Helford has a good set of blue prints, but do beware, her value would only be about three hundred thousand!. I took her out once into the Little Russell on my own and gently marked time off St Peter's Port with a couple of headsails and the mizzen set. Really for cruising four or five would be better.
I had many amazing experiences with her but have rattled on for long enough.