Shamrock Gets Wet

A combination of low pressure, high winds and weeks of heavy rain resulted in an higher than expected morning tide on Thursday 13th February this over topped Cotehele Quay, flooded the boat shed and nearly had Shamrock's stern lift off the cradle. The weight of water which had ingressed through her shrinking hull planks and keel, helped stop her stern lifting.

Ticking Over

While waiting for phase two of Shamrock's restoration to start, her crew have been wielding the paintbrushes again. The aft deckhouse and the forward companionway has been the focus of their attention. After very extensive session of preparation, ‘Woodskin’ has been applied to all the areas previously varnished and the rest has been undercoated. They have also had final coat of gloss paint on the internal faces. The external faces are being left until just before they are returned to Shamrock. These items have now been stored in the old carpenter’s shop where they joined her mizzen mast and spars. The forward and aft access ladders, removed during the repairs, have been moved to the boat shed and are now in the process of being cleaned, stripped and painted.

Shamrock's workboat is also back in the boat shed ready to be checked, have any damaged or rotten wood repaired or renewed before receiving a fresh coat of paint. Considering she has been stowed in the boat yard, only covered with a tarpaulin, since the end of 2018 her condition looks good. The crew is sure that Shaune the perfectionist will find something that's not quite right!

There are still some other ‘fixtures & fittings’ to be overhauled, but more of that another time.

Thanks Wreckers

Thanks are due to the “Wreckers Border Morris” a local Morris dancing group who, during 2019, managed to raise a total of £1,542.14 which they have now donated to the Shamrock Appeal. After performing at the Cotehele 'Let's Wassail' on the 21st December they visited the quay and after yet another dance a cheque was presented to Shaune. Wreckers Border Morris are no strangers to Shamrock, in the past they have used the boat as a stage for their musicians whilst the troop were dancing alongside. Only another seventy seven similar donations are needed and a start can be made on phase two of Shamrock's conservation program.
For details of how to donate, visit the National Trust ‘Saving Shamrock’ appeal web page.

Shamrock's Tideline

Wednesday 27th November, a higher than forecast tide was caused by a high spring tide combining with low pressure and strong winds resulted in Shamrock's stern getting a good soaking. With her keel and bottom hull planks drying out river water leaked in and out with the tide depositing mud and a tideline in her aft bilges, these have now been salted ready for the next extra high tide.

Bilge tideline.

Hull tideline.

Novembers News

After being hauled on to the slipway, Nancy Belle has had her cooling system flushed out, been washed out and a large number of barnacles scraped from her bottom before being moved into the boat shed for the winter.

Shamrock's aft deckhouse has been stripped back to bare wood, had some rotten sections of mahogany replaced and also received its first coat of 'Woodskin'.

The remaining timber from Shamrock's temporary cover is gradually being removed from the quay to the boat shed. Due to the large number of screws used in the covers construction most of this wood cannot be recycled so it is food for the wood burner, keeping the crew warm.

Shamrock's meet and greet volunteers hut has been dismantled and stowed for the winter.

Abandoned Shamrock

Shamrocks cover has been cut allowing the crew to have access onboard to check that the cover has kept her dry after the heavy rain of the last few weeks, it has. Some missing tools where found along with spiders webs taking advantage of the sheltering flies. An access hatch has been fashioned from the remains of the old cover making future checks easer.

Dry bilges!

Since Shamrock's conservation work has ceased the crew has been kept busy tidying the quay area around her. In the boat shed, the aft deckhouse and forward companionway have been scraped and sanded back to bare wood. They will soon be ready for a coat of paint and Woodskin on the previously varnished areas.

Shamrock Below Deck

The following photos of Shamrock interior are for visitors to Cotehele Quay who can now see more of her but are still not allowed onboard and anyone else who is interested.

Aft cabin, soon to be engine room.

Cargo hold.

Fore cabin looking forward .

Fore cabin looking aft.

Fore cabin looking to the chain locker.

Chain locker.