Shamrock's Slipway Track

During the preparation for the start of Shamrock's restoration in 1974 the current 100 ft (30.5 m) slipway was dugout, wooden railway sleepers bedded 4 in (10 cm) deep at 4 ft (1.2 m) centres and then two 4 in x 4in (10 cm x 10 cm) timber guides were coach-screwed to each sleeper for the length of the slipway to act as rails for Shamrock's wooden restoration cradle. At sometime between the end of the restoration in 1979 and 1982 the wooden rails where replaced with steel railway rails and have remained in place ever since. These rails have gradually distorted over the years to the point where Shamrock's current metal cradle jams during the hauling out and lowering operations so the decision has been made to renew them. With the aid of some large 'Birmingham screwdrivers' (hammers), spanners and chisels this job has now started with the removal of the first couple of sections of track. All the crew can say is that its going to be a long hard job.
  

One down, lots to go!

Edgcumbe Repair

After a couple of years without any maintenance Shamrock's workboat Edgcumbe was beginning to look a bit shabby and her after seat was rotting away. With the fitting of a redesigned after seat, renewal of the remaining seats and a coat of paint on the seats, gunnels and internal hull she is looking smart again.

Shaune's top boating tip.

Nancy Belle is normally moored mid river and one of Edgcumbe's tasks is to act as her tender. This has resulted in the crew being advised to keep hold of Edgcumbe's painter when boarding or alighting Nancy Belle as opposed to tying her alongside. Then if the worst happens and you do fall in and are swept away by the current the tender goes with you ready to be climbed back onto or used as a large buoyancy aid. This obviously applies to any craft being used as a tender.

Painter, a rope attached to the bow of a boat.

Natural Fibre Ropes

As Shamrock is an historic ship, natural hemp fibre ropes are used in her rigging. This may be authentic but it does mean that they need renewing more regularly than man-made fibre ropes would and they also shrink when wet. Shrinkage can lead to problems especially during a period of wet weather following a dry spell. This happened last weekend when despite the rigging being loosened off before the rain arrived, the staysail topping lift snapped under the tension caused by shrinkage resulting in the staysail boom ending up on the deck. A repair was quickly effected with a thimble eye spliced into one end of a new rope, a quick trip up the mast to thread the other end through its block and finally raising the staysail boom back to its stowed position.

Changing Wind

Due to the lay of the land around Cotehele Quay when the wind blows from the east it keeps changing direction one minute blowing up the river from Plymouth and the next blowing down the river from Calstock.

The bending on of Shamrock's mizzen sail didn't go completely according to plan as a squally easterly wind was blowing resulting in the sail being flipped from one side of her to the other and the crew needed to be alert to the dangers of a rapidly moving boom and flapping sail. Even with just the mizzen up and Shamrock settling on the mud with the outgoing tide, the force of the sail could still be felt. As a result once the crew was happy with the set of the sail it was quickly lowered, furled and the cover fitted instead of being allowed to air first as would normally happen.

Rigging Maintenance

During this years rigging of Shamrock it was found that the main topping lift, the wire and rope that supports the end of the main boom, was short due to a slight change in the way she is rigged. At the time a temporary fix was implemented with a length of tatty nylon rope. With a couple of eye splices and another trip to the top of the mast this has now been corrected by renewing the main topping lift purchase rope with a longer one.

Greasy Mast

This week has seen the crew take advantage of the continuing fine weather and light breeze to bend on Shamrock's mainsail and staysail. First the main mast was greased, making the raising of the mainsail easier and to help protect its new coat of varnish. After raising both sails they were trimmed to Shaune's liking and then allowed to air before finally being lowered, furled (folded up) and having their respective sail covers fitted.

Early morning river mist Cotehele Quay.

Nancy Belle

Nancy Belle has been floated off, kitted out and generally prepared for the first of her river trips, before being placed on her mooring.

Dates and times of Nancy Belle River Trips.


Day	Date		Depart	Return
Mon	13th	April	12:00	14:00
Tue	14th	April	13:00	15:00
Fri	24th	April	09:30	11:30
Mon	27th	April	12:30	14:30
Mon	11th	May	10:30	12:30
Tue	12th	May	11:00	13:00
Tue	26th	May	11:30	13:30
Wed	27th	May	12:30	14:30
Mon	8th	June	10:00	12:00
Tue	9th	June	11:00	13:00
Wed	10th	June	11:30	13:30
Tue	23rd	June	10:00	12:00
Wed	24th	June	11:00	13:00
Thur	25th	June	12:00	14:00
Tue	7th	July	10:00	12:00
Wed	8th	July	11:00	13:00
Thur	9th	July	12:00	14:00
Thur	23rd	July	10:00	12:00
Thur	6th	Aug	10:00	12:00
Fri	7th	Aug	11:00	13:00
Fri	21st	Aug	10:00	12:00
Mon	24th	Aug	12:00	14:00
Thur	3rd	Sep	09:30	11:30
Fri	4th	Sep	10:30	12:30
Mon	21st	Sep	11:00	13:00
Tue	22nd	Sep	11:30	13:30

To find out more and to book ring 01579 351346.

Price: All Tickets £12

An Engine For Shamrock!

When plans where being made for Shamrock's restoration in the 1970's the decision was made to restore her to as she appeared in 1926. At sometime during the restoration it was decided not to install an engine as she had in 1926 resulting in her manoeuvrability being severely limited and reliant on a tow for any trip. Finally after years of hint dropping by the crew it looks like she will be getting an engine as Shamrock has been chosen to receive the profits from the sale of the National Trusts 'Special Places Raffle 2015' tickets sold at Cotehele. As profits from the raffle are usually allocated to a specific project 'An engine for Shamrock' has been chosen as that project.

Nancy Belle

After the last few hectic weeks rigging Shamrock the crews attention has returned to preparing Nancy Belle for the season. Once her cover was removed she was found be in good condition with only the bottom section of hull requiring a coat of anti fowling paint. Also Shaune has found some good quality marine plywood and is busy making a new engine box to replace last years temporary box.