Registration number 1559
Status Registered
a12admin

Details

Function Leisure Craft
Subfunction Yacht
Location Bristol
Vessel type Motor Yacht
Current use Ongoing conservation
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Pearce, Richard, East Looe
Built in 1919
Hull material Wood
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Sail
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
12.98 feet (3.96m)
Depth
6.00 feet (1.83m)
Length: Overall
47.93 feet (14.62m)
Tonnage: Gross
20.00

History

TRUANT was originally built as a private yacht by Messrs. Pearce at Looe in 1919. She was registered at Shoreham and her official number is 145634. Her first owner died just before the Second World War and she was laid up in the harbour. In 1946, she was bought by the author George Millar who, with his wife, took the boat through the French canals to the Mediterranean and on to Greece. She was the first private yacht to sail up the river to Paris after the war. Millar sold her in Greece, but wrote a book about his adventures entitled ‘Isabel and the Sea’. TRUANT was subsequently owned by Peter Firstbrook and in 1995-96 by Chris Differing. She was sold to the current owner in 2004. At that time she was standing on the hard where she had been for some years. In July 2005 she was relaunched after a major restoration at Mark Rolt's shipyard in Bristol, which included total raking out of the seams, some plank renewal, complete forward stem renewal and then re-caulking using traditional methods and materials only. Work still continues and her two propulsion engines are now also being re-built.

Key dates

  • 1919

    Built as private yacht by Messrs Pearce at Looe

  • 1939

    First owner died just before Second World War and boat laid up in harbour

  • 1946

    Bought by author George Millar who took her through French canals to Mediterranean and Greece

  • 1960s?

    Millar sold her in Greece and wrote a book about his adventures entitled ‘Isabel and the Sea’

  • 1970s?

    Subsequently owned by Peter Firstbrook

  • 1995-96

    Owned by Chris Differing

  • 2004

    Sold to current owner after having stood on hard for some years

  • 2005

    Relaunched after major restoration at Mark Rolt's shipyard in Bristol

  • 2007

    Two propulsion engines re-built and re-installed

Sources

Classic Boat: Charter UK Destinations - Wish you were sailing?, February 2011

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

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