Submitted by kathryn.jones on

Celtic Coasts Sail & Trade are raising money to complete the restoration of the Morecambe Bay Prawner boat Mystery II for their programme of sail cargo voyages. 

A team of sailors, boatbuilders, timber growers and food producers in North Wales committed to establishing a more resilient and sustainable local economy, they have formed a Community Benefit Society, Celtic Coasts Sail and Trade, to this aim.

They believe passionately that trading by sail is viable if organised by and for the community, and offers many ecological advantages. Mystery II's restoration is already in progress and all funds raised go directly into continuing with this.

A range of small 'rewards' are on offer, ranging from postcards of Mystery designed by Scott Metcalfe and Jess Bala, to organic cotton T-shirt with the Celtic Coasts' logo.  Partner organisation, Elwy Working Woods is also offering a timber reward to anyone who is prepared to collect, worth 20% of your contribution.

About Mystery II

Mystery II was built by Armour brothers of Fleetwood in 1911.  She was designed by William Stoba and had a reputation as a fast boat, winning several races the year after she was launched. She fished the Irish sea until 1976. Later, she sank at her mooring in the Mersey but was rescued by Tom Middlebrook from the Nobby Association and taken to Liverpool Technical College to be restored by the students, but this never took place and she was left alone for several years.

Celtic Coasts Sail and Trade rescued her from the college and took her to Waterfront Marine, boatbuilders in Bangor, Gwynedd, where she is now.  She has been stripped down to sound timber, her ballast keel has been refurbished and new frames and floors fitted.  Locally grown oak for the frames and larch planks have been set aside in a new timber framed boatshed specially designed to house her.

Once restored, Mystery II will have six berths for two permanent crew and four paying passengers/trainee crew.  A simple fit out will leave designed space for cargo and provision for loading and unloading.  She will be used for coastal trading, transporting goods around the coasts of Wales, Brittany, Ireland, and Scotland.

Read more & donate 

Read more about Celtic Coasts Sail & Trade, one of our Shipshape Network Wales projects.

 Celtic Coasts Sail and Trade Zone Wales