It's All Go

Preparations for the weekends celebrations to mark the 40 years since the start of Shamrock's restoration, are well under way with; the washing down of Shamrock's dock slipway, the production of new information notices boards, sorting the signal flags and yet, as the crew try to keep the boat shed clear more and more gear seems to be arriving all the time. Saturday morning is going to be a bit hectic!

One of the new notices.

Clean slipway.

There has also been an interloper on Shamrock's slipway with the arrival of Peter's 22ft (6.7 meters) clinker built gunter rig sloop "Shanti" in readiness for her to be floated off. This is what has been taking up Peter's time and part of his garden, since he retired in 2010.

Shanti built in 1962.

Celebrating 40 Years Since The Start Of Shamrock's Restoration

Cotehele Quay is the place to be on Saturday 26th July to celebrate 40 years of Shamrock at Cotehele. Everything getting under way at 11:00 and finishing at approximately 16:00.

It is hoped that the event will be opened by Giles Clotworthy & John Longworth‐Kraft, they both had involvement in the restoration of Shamrock and her initial sea trials.

Plans for the day include:

• Shamrock dressed overall and open for visitors.
• Information boards detailing Shamrock's restoration & history.
• Anthony Rose sea shanties/folk songs (onboard Shamrock).
• Small game stalls.
• Children’s Treasure Hunt and other activities.
• Weights & Pulleys – educational demo.
• Basic knot tying.
• Boat shed open for visitors.
• The Edgcumbe will be having Shamrock themed food (Shamrock high tea & ships biscuits)
• Possibly Morris Dancers, not yet confirmed.

Other News

After a bit of a false start the last couple of weeks has seen the completion of two successful Get Knotted workshops with one of the attendees even demonstrating the 'Alpine Butterfly Bend' while onboard Shamrock.

Meeting and Greeting

Being a Shamrock meet and greet volunteer brings with it some different challenges from the normal duties of a National Trust volunteer.

Weekends are the most hectic with the need to arrive at least half an hour before opening to manhandle the gangway into place, not so easy if it's a high tide, open up the forward and after hatches, remove the forward starboard cargo hatch board and reinstate the guard rail. Then the bilges need to be checked and pumped out if required, we can't have the visitors getting wet feet and finally, notice boards need to be placed to inform visitors that Shamrock is open and they are welcome on-board. The notice about what hazards to watch out for whilst on board and the need for parents to accompany children, is of particular importance.
From Shamrock’s perspective the most important piece of equipment is of course, the collection box, this needs to be strategically placed before removing the keep off notice.
After having welcomed the first visitors on-board, with the usual "do mind your head" greeting, is when it is realised that the raising of the ensign has been forgotten!

Some of the questions visitors ask, in no particular order.

• Does she ever sail? Best answered after the first trip of the year.
• What did see carry? Originally manure, best answered after they have visited the hold.
• Where's the engine? The information board shows an engine but even though Shamrock was restored to as she was in the 1920's no engine was fitted during the restoration.
• What does she weigh? Approximately 32 tons.
• How much can she carry? Up to 50 tons.
• Can people take trips on her? Not at the moment, due to prevailing Health & Safety and insurance.

At the end of a hopefully successful day a quick check for stowaway children is required before finally securing everything and shutting up for the night.

Shamrock's information board.

 

No Trip

Unfortunately Shamrock's planned Plymouth's Royal William Yard weekend trip (4th to 7th July) has had to be cancelled. Friday's weather forecast is for wind and rain but the main reason is that we are lacking a tow.

No takers for this week's Get Knotted workshop, just hope we get a few for Wednesday the 9th as Nick and Will have put in a lot of preparation work.
Places can be booked on 01579 351346 or just arrive at Cotehele Quay by 10:00am .

On a positive note Shamrock's looking good from the river and she is attracting a lot of visitors.

Shamrock's Saltash Regatta Snippets

While deserting her Cotehele dock Shamrock had a very successful weekend at Saltash Regatta with plenty of generous visitors donating a total of £200 towards her upkeep and with the bonus of a good soak in saltwater.

Shamrock's missing!

Shamrock dressed ready for visitors.

Wreckers

First she was boarded by Cornish wreckers, well the Wreckers Border Morris from the Tamar Valley. They first sang a sea shanty on-board followed by the Morris dancers strutting their stuff on the pontoon while accompanied by their musicians still on-board Shamrock.

Two New Volunteers 

Later on two young brothers tried their hand at swabbing her deck and instead of, as was intended, just swabbing a small section of the after deck they would not stop until they had completed the whole deck. It certainly saved the crew a job.

Is the crew getting younger?

New Guides

Shamrock obviously left an impression on some of the Saltash school children who recently visited her at Cotehele as quite often you would hear one of them telling their parents that she was built in 1899 at Stonehouse Plymouth with a few other facts while showing them around.

Back to Cotehele

Mondays return trip was another sunny uneventful cruise with Little Charly smoothly taking the tow straight off the pontoon at Saltash and releasing it on the last bend before Cotehele Quay. Shamrock then slowly drifted alongside the quay with just a small nudge from Nancy Belle. After a quick cup of tea while waiting for high water she was then slowly warped (roped) into her dock ready to resume her duty as one of Cotehele's visitor attractions.

Awaiting the tow.

Nearly home. Photo by John Hartland

Photo by John Hartland

At Saltash

Thanks to a tow from Little Charly Shamrock had a quiet trip down the river Tamar and is now berthed at Saltash Sailing Club. She is ready to be one of Saltash Regattas star attractions.

Negotiating lines of moored yachts.

Arriving under tow. Photo by Colin Burt

Being spun into place.  Photo by Colin Burt

Alongside.

The motley crew. Photo by Colin Burt

Shamrock's First Trip Of 2014

Preparations for Shamrock's first trip of the year to Saltash Regatta are well under way. The weather forecast is good and Shamrock is due to depart from Cotehele Quay at around 11:30am on Friday 20th June for the approximately two hour trip. She is due to berth alongside Saltash Sailing Clubs pontoon for the weekend ready to receive visitors during the regatta (21st and 22nd June).
Shamrock's departure from Saltash is scheduled for around midday on Monday 23rd June allowing plenty of time to arrive back at Cotehele Quay before the afternoons 2:50pm high tide.

River Trips

Nancy Belle has now completed her first river trip since the fitting of her new engine. Rumor has it that you can now communicate between the bow and stern without having to shout or use sign language.