Registration number 2741
Status Registered
adminnhs
TS Pelican of London | National Historic Ships TS Pelican of London | National Historic Ships
Off to sea - TS Pelican - 2022 Photo Comp entry
port bow
bowsprit
bow view
deck view
TS Pelican of London bow view (c) Adventure under Sail
TS Pelican of London bowsprit (c) Adventure Under Sail
TS Pelican under sail (c) Adventure Under Sail
TS Pelican - work on deck (c) Adventure Under Sail
Under sail

Previous names

  • 1948 - 1967 Le Pelican
  • 1968 - 1995 Kadett

Details

Function Fishing Vessel
Subfunction Trawler
Location Bristol
Vessel type Trawler - Arctic
Current use Community Vessel
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No
Info required Yes

Construction

Built in 1947
Hull material Steel
Rig Square
Number of decks 3
Number of masts 3
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall
113.52 feet (34.60m)
Breadth: Beam
23.06 feet (7.03m)
Depth
13.45 feet (4.10m)
Air Draft
108.27 feet (33.00m)
Tonnage: Gross
226.00

History

TS PELICAN OF LONDON was built in France as an Arctic Fishing Trawler in 1948 and fished until 1967 as LE PELICAN.

From 1968 to 1995 she served as the coaster KADETT.  Arrested for trafficking a whole cargo of Vodka from Finland in 1993, Kadett became an Excise sale. ​

The ship remained in Norway until 1995, when she was purchased by Retired Commander Graham Neilson for restoration and registered in London. The ship was motored to Portland in Dorset, UK where a complete restoration and reconstruction would take place over almost 12 years.  Pelican of London was converted into a Main Mast Barquentine and commenced her maiden voyage in September of 2007.

Until 2025 she was owned and operated by the sail training charity Adventure Under Sail. While owned by them she took part in Tall Ships Race, the Queen's Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames, Atlantic and European sail training adventures, and ocean science voyages. However, it seems they have now gone out of business.

We are lacking information on this particular vessel. If you have any information on this vessel past or present, please contact us.

Key dates

  • 1948

    Built by Chantiers-et-Ateliers Augustin Normand, Le Havre, France
  • 1948/1967

    In service as Arctic fishing trawler under name LE PELICAN
  • 1968/1995

    In service as Coaster under name KADETT
  • 1995/2007

    Transformed into barquentine and registered in London
  • 2008

    Adventure Under Sail established as Charity with Trustees
  • 2009-2016

    Completed inaugural transatlantic voyage, followed by a number of long-distance voyages, before settling on the South Coast in Weymouth, Dorset. Took part in Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames as well as Tall Ships Races
  • 2016-2018

    Delivered short sail training voyages from base in Weymouth and day sails at weekends
  • 2018

    Developed new Operational Model focused solely on delivering transformational sail training voyages to young people across the UK and European ports during the summer months
  • 2018

    First Partnership ‘Winter Classroom’ Expedition with Ocean College

  • 2019

    Ocean Science and Maritime Careers modules developed under See the Future brand to complement summer voyages and build on experience from winter educational voyages

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