Historic Smack Charter A Tonic For 92-Year-Old Roy

Historic Priscilla Charter A Tonic For 92-Year-Old Roy

A favourable window in the weather saw 92-year-old Roy Loram of Sydney Street, Brightlingsea, proudly become the first person to charter the recently restored Colne fishing smack which was launched by the Duchess of Wessex last year.

Roy, who went to sea at 17 in the merchant navy convoys during the Second World War, has been a keen yachtsman all his life, and has owned a succession of traditional rig boats. But the last time he went sailing was a decade ago, when he had to let his last boat go.

Since 2013 Roy has been diagnosed with dementia, but the sail really put new wind in his sails, and the experience has left him raring for more sailing.

The Pioneer Trust at Harkers Yard in Brightlingsea have achieved a stunning restoration of the 38ft 1893 second class sailing smack, which was built by the Brightlingsea boat yard Douglas Stone, and had a long and sometimes colourful history of fishing on the Essex coast.

‘A seaman first, and everything else second. That was the best experience I have had in years. Same again ASAP,’ said Roy about the experience.

Priscilla is chartered with a skipper who knows how to helm an old sailing smack, which handles very differently from modern yachts. The other members of Roy’s family who accompanied him on the charter took turns in steering the boat as they sailed up the Colne.

For further details of chartering Priscilla at £75 per person including skipper, contact Pioneer Sailing Trust on 01206 303373 email info@pioneersailingtrust.org.uk or go to www.priscillack437.org . Available for day sails or overnight trips.

From press release.