Spirit of Mystery/Pete Goss

[jlaprad]

If anyone wants to follow the progress of this voyage check out Pete Goss's blog here. http://www.petegoss.com/mystery/blog.php
They left Oct 18th and are following the path of the 1854 "Mystery" 37' lugger from Cornwall to Australia, in the recreated 37' lugger "Spirit of Mystery". Very interesting.

[jlaprad]

I wonder if they have a chase boat accompanying them. The updated blog has pictures of the boat sailing along. Very neat...

[jlaprad]

Sorry, here are some pictures, they also appear very close to land...
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh319/lapradjw/boats/spiritofmystery2.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh319/lapradjw/boats/spiritofmystery1.jpg

[Clan Gordon]

I see she has a STANDING lug on the foremast, and not the traditional DIPPING lug.

Much easier to handle of course, but less powerful.

The hullform also appears very beamy and full - much more so than the final breed of Cornish luggers - several of which survive to this day.

I think I read somewhere (perhaps in CLASSIC BOAT magazine) that when they were (re)creating the lines for this one they referred to some earlier luggers which were fuller bodied for some reason.

[rufustr]

There is a tracker on the website so progress and position can be followed.:cool:

[Russ Manheimer]

No chase boat. She's a Mounts Bay Lugger, built to recreate a 19th Century voyage where the original carried a half dozen Cornish men from Cornwall to Australia. There only scheduled stop is Cape Town. Some boat. Last post speaks of 40kt winds and surfing a very large vessel. Very cool; thanks Pete.

Russ

[Russ Manheimer]

She may have a Dipping lug as well; not sure.

[jlaprad]

Just read the latest of Pete's blog for 10/29. Great stuff, Pete's narrative of last nights force 8/9 gales was awsome. This is really good stuff. I'll be following closely...

[Russ Manheimer]

Here's an exerpt:

"Every helm has his big wave in a storm and mine heralded itself with a deep throated roar as tons of water let itself go at the stern of our gallant little ship. Engulfed in white she lifted her defiant stern and I was aware of being overtaken by breaking water either side of the bulwarks. This 'Spirit of Mystery' was not going to have, and she lifted her skirts and was out of the starting gate. I leant back and looked down the face of a ski jump with a gulp but there was no doubt in 'Spirit's' mind. She was off and surfing down that wave like a teenager. I just couldn't believe it as we bounced our way down like a tin tray with spray everywhere. Each bump, if that's what you can call it, causing jets of water to skirt up through the scuppers. I don't know if I was more shocked by the size of the wave or the discovery that a fully laden Mounts Bay Lugger really can surf."

Thrilling stuff,

Russ

[Russ Manheimer]

Bump

From today:

Of course we have to keep pushing as we work our way south. Robert the Bruce and his persistent spider comes to mind. Just keep at it and it will all work out in the end. Looking at the thread of a pencil line that wends its way across the chart to Cape Town it is obvious now, just keep tugging at it with the resources that we have at the time. There will be good and bad days but they will even each other out so just enjoy those sun sets and sunrises for they will only happen once.

Enjoy (http://www.petegoss.com/mystery/blog.php)

Russ

[Russ Manheimer]

Bump

From Sunday's post:

At one point last night it felt like it was raining fish; two big flying fish hit the hood and one took off right beside me and landed in the middle of the mizzen only to slip back into the sea. They are really quite entertaining as they take off from under the bow and skitter away in a star burst retreat with the sun sometimes reflecting off their backs to add to the spectacle. The big ones can cover large distances and remain in the air for quite some time as they are able to give the water another flick of the tail as they come back down. Then you get the baby of the family, all of two inches, giving it their best effort for a couple of feet. It's really quite sweet to watch.


Vendee Globe under way as well. Wouldn't that be a sight; one of the Open 60's blasting by Spirit of Mystery. Goss and family are about 200 miles NW of the Cape Verdes.

Russ

[Russ Manheimer]

From yesterday:

Life has settled into a daily routine that is both relaxing and yet seems to pass quickly as we keep ourselves busy. Breakfast is around ten followed by the daily square away and any odd jobs such as the blog, baking or washing clothes by stomping on them in a big bucket much like a wine maker would crush his grapes. Around 1300hrs a sun sight is taken and worked out before we start thinking about the evening meal and starting the night watch. About seven hours is spent on the helm and this seems to soak up time. Otherwise we are doing a lot of reading and I am taking great delight in re reading the Bolitho series, thanks to Colin Merry being kind enough to put his collection on board.

[Alan and Chris]

We sail a Mounts Bay Lugger, here in Penzance. We do sometimes set a jib on a bowsprit and rig her as a standing forelug. Otherwise she's a dipping lug and all the manpower that entails when tacking/gybing!!

[Russ Manheimer]

Pete and crew are in the South Atlantic hoping to make Cape town by Christmas. Here's a nice post from yesterday:

"One of the reasons for doing a trip like this is that you just can't bottle, describe or capture the special moments. When you get back people can listen to you but just can't hear you unless they themselves have been out there. You just have to do it and savour the moments as they come your way. These last few days have given sunrise and sunsets that warrant an effort at description for they have been stunning in their colour and complexity. The same could be said for the nights, for with this high pressure about we have been blessed with spells of open sky coupled with that crisp clear air that seems to draw the stars closer. Eliot's off the cuff remark caught it for me when he came below to say that he had just had one of his best night watches ever! "The moon is so bright it is like a director has turned on a stage light and put us in its beam." So it was, last night I actually popped below to grab my book for we often say 'bright enough to read a book by' but this wasn't a moment for glib words. The moon was a beautiful yellow and being at about forty five degrees above the horizon and just over my shoulder, it was as if I had a soft reading light and I found I could actually read!

Two days ago the sunset was so stunning that Mark and I just couldn't go below, in fact it was a series of sunsets, for I took about fifteen pictures and each one is quite unique. To the extent that if you printed them off and threw them across a table, a bystander would think that they were a collection of the best from the whole voyage. We actually had green in there and as the sun set it highlighted a set of clouds right on the horizon and if we didn't know otherwise I would have sworn that we had a glowing mountain range in sight; much like those magical shots of the Himalayas.

To cap this we turned round to find that behind us the soft pastels of light had painted the clouds to the east in a stunning hue of reds and oranges. This, believe it or not, provided a backdrop for a double rainbow which seemed to spark off the cloud base on its graceful dive through to the horizon. Quite stunning and something I shall ever carry with me for its beauty and the fact that down here it is the last thing I would have expected.

How does one cap all that? Well, last night my magical moon suddenly dimmed and I glanced round to be amazed by a moonset. Yep, a moonset and with it the director turned up the dimmer on the stars and then fired a shooting star right down the course. Pure theatre and by chance we just happened to crash the only show."

Delightful

[Russ Manheimer]

Here's an update from Sunday. They're about 500 miles from Capetown and had an albatross interlude before getting ready for some heavy weather. At least it will have some west in it.



'Be careful what you wish for' would seem apt at the moment for we have had the most frustrating night with light variable winds and heavy rain. The word miserable would be about right as we were forced to watch Christmas slipping away on an hourly basis. It was so light at supper time that for the first time since Porto Santo we all sat round the table and had a meal together, and it was really nice. A taste of what beckons in Cape Town just over five hundred miles away.

Mark shook me early this morning for yet another laborious tack under a grey and drizzly sky. Once again foulies were dragged on in that foggy haze of disrupted sleep and we got too it. Half way through the job we looked up to see a group of birds sat on the water which included a couple of huge Albatrosses. One was very white and the other dark grey; the white one completely unperturbed by our presence paddled over for a look, and we were mesmerised by its sheer size and complete lack of intimidation. The tack could wait, for this was something special.

Later they joined each other face to face and started to gently rub each other about the neck and beak. This touching little cameo had us completely held with that spark of rare beauty that only intimate innocence between the sexes can create. One could not help but smile at such a lovely sight in what at the moment feels like an intimidating environment for we are about to get what we wished for and more.

The forecast is for it to really blow for the next couple of days with big sea's and gusts of forty knots from anywhere between NNW and SW, as a front passes through. So this morning has been really quite busy as we prepare for a good old 'ding dong' as we close Cape Town. The lamp glasses have been stowed, the spars lashed on deck and the dinghy has extra lashings on it. We have already reduced down to the small mizzen and working lug. By this evening we will be down to just the working lug with two reefs.

As the barograph falls away we have cleared the book shelf, dug out basic rations and tensioned all the lee cloths. The hatches have been dogged down, it goes on and on but I feel we are now ready and waiting. Waiting of course is the worst part for it plays on the imagination. The good news is that we should make up some of these miles that have been lost, and I wonder where we will find ourselves when we come out the other side. That said I am not going to push it for what we are about to face deserves respect. Come on 'Spirit of Mystery' let's get to it.

Cheers Pete

Cheers also and Best Christmas and Holiday Wishes,

Russ

[Hwyl]

Thanks for posting this. A great journey and apparently just for pleasure.

[jlaprad]

They made Cape Town on Christmas Day. Must have been quite a ride in. Congrates to Pete and crew...

[Russ Manheimer]

Here's a paragraph from the last gale they endured:

"The storm soon started to make itself felt through a huge swell from the SW; much like a pulse radiating out its relentless intent from a dark, malevolent and distant heartbeat. These Southern Ocean Grey Beards are impossible to describe for there is nothing that I know of that stands up as a realistic reference. They are the size of houses, hills even but this can never convey the power or living, moving, ever evolving nature of them as they tear their way into the distance without pause. Every now and then they erupt with a force that resonates with a heavy deep throated roar. Once heard it will never leave you for it is the sound of an energy level that will not even sense the presence of a boat. All you can do is steer down the wave, duck, hold on, wait for the thump and hope that you can hold her true and straight for to spin out now means carnage. It's adrenalin charged, dangerous and goes on and on without respite for they had a frequency of 18 seconds and were at least 15metres in height."

Thrilling. And now a well deserved rest in Capetown. Cheers Pete and crew.

Russ

[Russ Manheimer]

Underway (http://www.petegoss.com/mystery/blog.php) towards Melbourne.

[Hwyl]

They're on he final stretch

[rufustr]

Position today.

http://www.sailblogs.com/xplot/user_maps/xp_t58.jpg?i=949

https://secure.eventoffice.com/mastheads/TaliskerTales.jpg
Talisker Tales with Pete Goss

Talisker Tales with Pete Goss: An unmissable event for any sailing enthusiast
Pete Goss - World renowned yachtsman and “hero of the high seas”, shares stories from his adventures.
Fresh off the boat from his latest voyage, will host an intimate one-off talk in Melbourne.
Pete and his crew (comprising of his younger brother Andy, Pete’s son Eliot and brother in law Mark Maidment) set off from Cornwall in October last year aboard the Spirit of Mystery a hand built 37ft wooden lugger vessel, recreating the epic voyage made by seven Cornishmen 154 years ago.
When he docks in Melbourne at the Royal Yacht Club in March he will have been at sea for five months, travelled 11,800 miles and crossed one of the most dangerous oceans in the world, the Southern Ocean, conquering gale force winds and huge waves.
Attendees will get the chance to gather together with a dram of Talisker whisky and be swept away by Pete’s incredible adventures. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Australian Volunteer Coastguard Association & The Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
Date: 19th March 2009
Place: Royal Yacht Club of Victoria
Address: 120 Nelson Place, Williamstown VIC 3016
Time: Drinks from 6.30pm. Talk to commence at 8pm
Price: $65 (with all proceeds going to the Australian Volunteer Coastguard Association & The Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal) includes a finger buffet and a complimentary Talisker whisky tasting

All ticket holders must be aged 18 years and over.

[rufustr]

March 4th, 2009
NEWS UPDATE
Dear All, Please see the below news update. Please keep visiting the website for further updates. We stress that all are in good spirits and that all possible steps are being taken. Thanks for all your help and continued support. Stuart.

SPIRIT OF MYSTERY NEWS UPDATE - 1930 GMT Wednesday 4th March 2009

At about 23.30 hours GMT on Tuesday 3rd March (0930 hours boat time Thursday 4th March), Spirit of Mystery was sailing in strong winds and high seas about 300 Nautical Miles South South-West of Kangaroo Island off Adelaide, South Australia, when she was struck by a large wave.

The vessel was knocked over and an injury sustained by one of the crew, Mark Maidment, who has broken his right leg between knee and ankle. Mark was taken below and treated by the crew who administered morphine and applied a splint. He is in a stable condition on board and in good spirits.

The crew were able to contact their support team in Melbourne via the satellite telephone who alerted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Communications with the vessel have since been sporadic, but they have intimated that the remainder of the crew are fine and at present the boat is sound and seaworthy and making good progress in improved conditions towards Australia.

AMSA's dedicated Dornier Search and Rescue aircraft has over flown the vessel and a doctor has been able to establish two-way communications to offer advice.

AMSA is now coordinating communications and assessing the best way to deal with the casualty and the situation.

Further news will be given as and when it becomes available via the team's website: www.petegoss.com.

ENDS - 1930 GMT 04/03/09

[Hwyl]

See bilge thread http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93738

[rufustr]

Pete Goss's web blog about the incident is up including a video and photos.

A must read.

http://www.petegoss.com/mystery/blog.php

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/petegoss/images/dsc02674_scale.jpg

[rufustr]

Arrival in Williamstown.

http://www.petegoss.com/mystery/blog.php

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/petegoss/images/090309_spirit_of_mystery_068_scale.jpg

Great achievement.

[rufustr]

THE AGE


http://www.theage.com.au/national/al...0309-8tbi.html (http://www.theage.com.au/national/all-hands-back-on-deck-on-a-magical-mystery-tour-20090309-8tbi.html)

All hands back on deck on a magical Mystery tour



Bridie Smith
March 10, 2009

http://images.theage.com.au/2009/03/09/411329/mbn_spiritofmystery-420x0.jpg Main: Wheelchair-bound Mark Maidment is reunited with (from left) Andy Goss, Eliot Goss and skipper Pete Goss after the replica fishing boat Spirit of Mystery (inset) docked at Williamstown yesterday. Photo: Jason South

JUST hours after leaving hospital yesterday, injured sailor Mark Maidment was reunited with his crew as their replica 19th century fishing boat Spirit of Mystery docked at Williamstown.
Wheelchair-bound with a broken right leg caused by a freak wave that violently rolled the 11-metre wooden lugger more than 90 degrees last Wednesday, Mr Maidment was the first to greet his fellow sailors, including skipper Pete Goss, as they disembarked at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. Up to 200 people were there to meet them, including members of Melbourne's Cornish community who came prepared with the county's black-and-white flag and homemade Cornish pasties.
Mr Goss, 47, said the 11,800-nautical-mile journey followed the passage of the historic 1854 voyage of the Mystery and its seven-member crew from Cornwall, via Cape Town, to Melbourne. The adventure began 18 months ago with "a chainsaw in one hand and a plan in the other".
He said the wave that struck the vessel about 30 nautical miles from Portland was like a car crash. "It went dark … and you only remember parts of it," he said. "But it felt like being in a storm drain at full flood as there were tonnes of water falling down on us.
"Mark was in a real mess on deck. There's nothing more horrific than watching the foot dance to a different tune to the rest of the body."
The Spirit of Mystery's crew, arriving clean-shaven and tanned, are all related by birth or marriage - just as was the seven-member crew of the original voyage.
Along with Mr Goss' brother Andy and his brother-in-law Mr Maidment was his 14-year-old son Eliot, who said one of the highlights of the trip was seeing whales, although he admitted to missing a proper shower.
The Spirit of Mystery, which left Cornwall for Melbourne last October, was built at Millbrook, Cornwall, and is replete in seafaring history, including an original rivet from the SS Great Britain, a piece of oak from the HMS Victory and block of teak from the Cutty Sark.
Past president of the Cornish Association of Victoria Lindsay Chapman said the Mystery's 116-day voyage remains the smallest successful migrant voyage to Australia of the 1850s.


Thanks Rob.