Registration number 1559
Status Registered
adminnhs

Details

Function Leisure Craft
Subfunction Yacht
Location Rye
Vessel type Yacht - Pleasure
Current use Ongoing conservation
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Pearce, Richard, East Looe
Built in 1919
Hull material Wood
Rig Ketch
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Sail
Number of engines 2
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
12.98 feet (3.96m)
Depth
5.00 feet (1.52m)
Length: Overall
47.93 feet (14.62m)
Tonnage: Gross
30.00

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. It is believed she was ketch-rigged and had twin engines fitted originally. 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 the same year but wrote a book about his adventures entitled Isabel and the Sea

TRUANT’s new owner was Major General J. G. W. Clark, a decorated ex-cavalry officer who sailed her back to the United Kingdom and owned her until 1948. Subsequently, little is known of her ownership until the late 1960s/early 1970s, when she was owned by Commander W. H. G. Saunt, a WW2 veteran.

In 1972, TRUANT was purchased in the Mediterranean by G Cridland, who sailed her to Morocco, the Canary Islands, and Banjul in The Gambia, where she stayed for a year. She was then purchased by D Pratt in 1977, who owned her until 1980. Between 1980 and the early 1990s, she was based in Falmouth. At some point, she was owned by P Firstbrook, and between 1995 and 1996, she was owned by C Differing.

In 2004, she was purchased by T Evers of Bristol. At that time, she was standing on the hard where she had been for some years. In July 2005 she was relaunched after restoration work at Mark Rolt's shipyard in Bristol, which included recaulking all seams, some plank renewal, stem renewal and other works. During this time, she was fitted with twin Perkins diesel engines.

TRUANT was purchased by her current owner in 2010, who moved her to Eastbourne and subsequently Rye, East Sussex, where she is currently based. Since then, a large amount of work has been done to bring her hull, deck and general condition up to a good state. This has included fitting new frames, some floors, some refastening, a new rudder, refurbished and fitted engine beds, new bulkheads, new port holes, deck overhauled with replacement sections and epoxy sheathed, and a new wheelhouse roof. The mast and rigging were overhauled and are awaiting installation. As of July 2025, the vessel is for sale. 

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

  • 1946

    Millar sold her in Greece to Major General J. G. W. Clark, a decorated ex-cavalry officer who sailed her back to the United Kingdom and owned her until 1948

  • 1972

    Purchased in the Mediterranean by G Cridland who sailed her to Morocco, the Canary Islands, and Banjul in The Gambia, where she stayed for a year

  • 1977

    Purchased by D Pratt

  • 1995

    Purchased by C Differing

  • 2004

    Purchased by T Evers of Bristol

  • 2005

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

  • 2007

    Two propulsion engines re-built and re-installed

  • 2010

    Purchased by her current owner

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

More like this

Cinnamon Lady in dry dock

Registered, built 1971 by Rossiter, Purbrook Christchurch

Sheemaun - port side view

Registered, built 1935 by Noble & Co, James, Fraserburgh

On the trailer

Registered, built 1925 by Berthon Boat Co Ltd, Lymington

Darag - bow view

Registered, built 1938 by Hillyard, David, Littlehampton