Re: Robert's boat - the answer!


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Posted by Robert Thompson on June 11, 2003 at -1:29:16 from 212.229.58.245 user robert.

In Reply to: Robert's boat, what's the story? posted by andy bolger on June 10, 2003 at 19:59:48:

Thanks to all who entered into the spirit of the game - but, Brad H and Charles, go to the top of the class, Hirondelle is indeed the dinghy's name.

"Hirondelle" is the French word for "swallow" and as well as the obvious connection this fits in with my interest in languages and in collecting editions in translation.

The Ship's Papers begin as follows:
"Navire à voile l'Hirondelle.
Port: L'Épine
Propriétaire?..."
(Sailing Vessel Swallow. Port, Holly Howe. Owners?)

Her recent history is that having spent many years in Essex she was sold in 1968 and brought to what is now Cumbria. Eventually she was left derelict but although completely dried out had all the timbers intact. She was offered to anyone who would care to take on a restoration project. I didn't have the necessary skills to take the task on myself, so she went to Ullapool Boatbuilders who had already proved themselves by building a beautiful copy of Scarab. The centreplate case had to be completely removed and rebedded. The plate itself is very heavy as is the huge block of wood that is the rudder. The top of the transom had to be replaced with new wood, but apart from that the original wood is in super condition.
Next task - check the rigging, take the original rotten sail to the sailmaker to be copied. The original sail is white, but I'm considering tan, although not easy to see from a distance on AR's lake!


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