Britannia is back in the water after 10 year rebuild

NHS-UK Projects Manager Peter Green visited the Exeter Heritage Harbour Festival on Sunday 24 September for the relaunch of the 1915 Boston Smack Britannia after a near decade-long restoration.

Britannia made her entry into the harbour pulled by the local Sea Cadets and heralded by cannon fire, and a sea shanty choir performed a song specially written for the occasion.

The Festival was part of a year of celebrations to mark Exeter's new Heritage Harbours status.

Britannia Sailing Trust is a volunteer-led maritime heritage charity founded in 2014 by Sam and Vicki Samuels.  Britannia has been a very important part of their lives, having restored her once already and bringing their family up on board whilst sailing far and wide.  Now in their seventies they set up the Trust to restore the vessel for a second time, after many years of her being neglected and being left to fall in to disrepair.

Vicki Samuels told us: "The day was amazing from our point of view as we were really tired following the excitement of the launch, but everyone was so interested and enthusiastic that it raised our spirits no end.  The Sea Cadets from TS Exeter did a great job and looked splendid in their bellbottoms, and the cannon firing was immense.  The day was blustery at first, but when the tow started the wind died and the sun came out and the Quay went so quiet.  Everyone was transfixed to see Britannia's slow progression into the Harbour.  Mariners Away, our very supportive shanty singers, were on board singing Haul away Joe and Hearts of Oak whilst she was moving, and then once she was tied up and secure, they sang Rise up again Britannia - a song that one of their members had composed for us!  And then the Cannon!!  Very emotional.  I had held it altogether until the singing..."

Britannia is one of two functional examples left in the world of a Class One East Coast Smack - a large traditional fishing boat of a type built and sailed on the Norfolk coast for centuries.  The charity's aim is not only to return Britannia to a seaworthy condition, but to maintain that condition by keeping her working at sea.  It has also become just as important to pass on the endangered heritage skills of wooden boatbuilding and seafaring to a new generation.  

Once sailing again, Britannia will offer career-building opportunities for disadvantaged young people in the maritime and heritage sector.  She will be an ambassador for sustainable maritime transport – built of wood and powered by the wind.  She will raise awareness of the value of our oceans and the scourge of marine pollution, by allowing people to see it first hand.  And she will continue to serve as a living testament to the rich seafaring heritage of the East Coast and our island nation.

Many people have given their time, expertise, financial support and energy to get Britannia back in the water and it was an emotional moment for all concerned.  The Trust has also come a long way in the last ten years, thanks in no small part to the dedication of their volunteers, patrons and supporters.

Congratulations to the whole team at Britannia Sailing Trust for their incredible dedication and hard work in getting Britannia back in the water where she belongs.

Read more about Britannia Sailing Trust, one of our Shipshape Network South West projects.