CLASSIC SAILING. S/V Bessie Ellen British sailing trader & happy tall ship

Transcription

1 CLASSIC SAILING S/V Bessie Ellen 1904 British sailing trader & happy tall ship Canaries - Azores Wildlife & Exploration

2 Historic Vessel Our maritime heritage - still sailing the oceans Built in 1904, Bessie Ellen is one of the last three surviving West Country trading ketches (out of a fleet of over 700) still sailing and the only one with a worldwide charter licence from the UK Marine Coastguard Agency. Bessie Ellen traded cargoes during the final era of sail when these ships were an everyday sight in the small ports and harbours throughout Europe. She continued to run cargoes under sail through both world wars until Bessie Ellen then began a new life in Denmark, where she continued to run local cargoes under motor. Her current Cornwall based owner Nikki Alford saw her potential in a Danish shipyard and with considerable determination managed to buy her in 2000 and complete her restoration to a magnificent sailing ship once again. Classic Sailing worked with Nikki for 4 years and her voyaging from the Scillies to Morbihan and Scotland to Norway built up a loyal band of regular guest crew. The Scandinavians lured her away to the Baltic for a few years, but now she is back to stay as a British flagged vessel. Running Cargoes Under Sail for 100 years Now on the UK Core Historic Ships Register but with no intention of retiring to a museum, Bessie Ellen continues to earn her keep. Even as recently as 2010 Bessie Ellen converted her lovely saloon back to a hold space and ran wine cargoes, but now the ship is back doing what she and Nikki do best: Adventurous hands-on charter holidays where her precious cargo is any adventurous soul who wants an authentic experience of traditional ships in the best cruising grounds we can find. Lively Sailing & Plenty of Deck Space With two masts and lofty topmasts increasing her height further, Bessie Ellen has a lot of sail to play with, and it takes team work to hoist the heavy main and mizzen gaff sails. In light winds or racing she can carry topsails on both masts, and forward there are 4 headsails to tack:- Staysail, inner and out jib and jib topsail, so if you like the idea of being out on the bowsprit with the ships bow wave beneath you, then there are plenty of sails to stow out there. Bessie Ellen has fine underwater lines and is fairly shallow draught so she is surprisingly responsive under sail. Accommodation Below The heart of this tough wooden ship is the cargo hold, now an impressive communal living space, where you can lie in your bunk and still feel the huge ships timbers surrounding you, or relax in the evening with new found friends (sleeps up to 12 guest crew). You will feel part of a bygone era, but with the homely comforts of a hot and spacious shower, and freshly cooked food on the spacious tables made of wood salvaged from a Perry Orchard. The bunks down each side of this huge space have a reading light and curtains for privacy, with storage for your things in lockers under the bench seating. The floors are oak, and on sunny days in port or at anchor the cargo hold roof can be opened up to let the sun stream in. If you are taller than average then Bessie Ellen has ample headroom below decks. There is a separate galley and crew quarters.

3 Bessie Ellen Built: Plymouth 1904 Gross Registered Tonnage: 87 T Rig: gaff ketch with 8 sails Sparred Length Overall: 35.5m Length on Deck: 25.6m Beam: 6m Draft: 2.4m Crew : 4 Guest Crew: souls on board - bound for the Canaries Ocean Passage Leg 1 Crossing Biscay (18th 29th October 2011 Charlestown to Vigo 11days - 750) Bessie Ellen is a fully equipped and safety inspected world wide sailing ship. Crossing the Bay of Biscay is well within her capabilities but it can still be a tough demanding voyage in October. This is a continuous sailing voyage heading for the historic port of Vigo in North Western Spain. Watch Keeping & Wildlife During the voyage you will be spilt up into watches and on watch for 3-4 hours at a time so you can help keep the ship sailing through the day and the night. It is great to go to sleep in your bunk to the sound of the water and sea miles rushing past the hull as the other on watch team keep you safe. This is a deep sea voyage and once beyond Ushant you will get into the rhythm of an ocean passage with time to unwind and enjoy the sheer beauty of the Atlantic. Watch the colour of the water change as you head out of the Western Approaches, spot the different sea birds as you head south. Where ever you go you may see the tiny black Storm Petrel or diving gannets. It is very likely that you will see dolphins and whales as they too travel the coast of Western Europe and can often be seen in vast schools where the Continental shelf comes close to the tip of Northern Spain. After a considerable amount of open ocean, the dramatic mountain backdrop of Northern Spain is a welcome sight. There are islands off Vigo, several of which are bird reserves and rather beautiful anchorages if you get there early. Blue Water Ocean Voyage Leg 2 (31st October 15th November 2011 Vigo to Tenerife, Canaries 899) Bessie Ellen will be in Vigo at the same time as our favourite Dutch Schooner Oosterschelde so there will hopefully be time to compare ships and Bay of Biscay stories in port. Both Oosterschelde and Bessie Ellen will set off from Vigo on the same day heading for the Canaries as the first likely stop so you may sail in company for a while. The voyage down the Portuguese coast to Cape St Vincente may still be quite cool but after the Straits of Gibraltar the winds and current should be favourable and the climate gets warmer and warmer. Tenerife to the Azores 750 mile trade wind sailing (dates to be confirmed) Azores to UK 1250 mile Atlantic Challenge voyage (dates to be confirmed)

4 Chose an outdoor life this winter

5 See the Canaries through a sailors eyes Lush Atlantic Outposts Forget any preconceptions you may have about the Canary Islands. The voyages start and finish in Santa Cruz, Tenerife which is simple to get to from the airport. Santa Cruz is a vibrant city with a large harbour and many attractions. We leave this bustling city behind and head of for the Western Isles. La Palma, Gomera and El Heirro are best visited by boat, so you will see the real beauty of the Canaries archipelago and the people that live there. Unlike the Eastern Isles which are more barren, these are fascinating Islands with green verdant vegetation and brilliant walking. Up in the mountains it is easy to see why sailors would love these remote Atlantic Islands after weeks at sea. Winter sunshine, a variety of wind strengths & bright stars As a winter sailing destination there are many attractions:- the sunshine with typical average temperatures of 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) in January; good prevailing winds; and located on the migration trail for dolphins and whales. There are wind accelerations zones where the wind blasts between the mountainous islands, and quieter areas in the lee of volcanic cliffs. Exploration ashore with your shipmates There is nothing to beat being the main event as you come into a new harbour, and every new anchorage or island landfall will bring out the explorer in you. Sailing is not only about arriving but also the chance to have a look around ashore. You will have this opportunity and sometimes a group tour can be organised in a minibus, see La Palma below. Though there would need to be an additional charge just to cover the cost. The permanent crew will also have some ideas on the best things to see ashore or a BBQ or crew meal ashore might be proposed. You may just fancy a quiet beer in bar and watch the world go by, people spotting in the sun. Mountainous Tenerife Tenerife s Mount Teide is actually the highest mountain in Europe and forms part of a large National Park with walks and nature trails. It is easy to organise a day trip from Santa Cruz to Mount Teide if you are so inclined. Yes the incline to the top is steep! There are other walks in the north west of the islands where you can walk on sign posted paths from one village to another. La Gomera This round little island hides many of its assets from the casual observer and to appreciate its full value you need to venture inland. It has many splendid walks and the north west of the islands is a lot greener than the rest with terracing and banana plantations. La Palma nature lovers and walkers island The port of Santa Cruz, La Palma, has much old world charm and sitting outside a bar is a delight. We do recommend that you take a tour of this island to visit its verdant forest, huge Caldera now full of pine forest and trails, sherry making and volcanic sites. The rim of the crater is now the site of most of Europe s big telescopes as the skies are so clear at night with minimal light pollution. El Heirro El Heirro literally means the end of the world. It was used as a last port of call for the first explorers to cross the Atlantic. Half the island crashed into the sea many thousands of years ago as a vast landslide. You can still stand on the edge of the crater and imagine what an immense event that was. This is the smallest and remotest of the Canary islands and time and weather may not always make it possible to include in the voyage. Large tall ships are unable to dock here as the port is quite shallow but Bessie Ellen would be fine.

6 Live on the ocean and the wildlife comes to you Mecca for Whale and Dolphin Research The South West of Tenerife, Los Gigantes, region is internationally know as a permanent home and temporary feeding ground for a big selection of whales and dolphins. The species you are most likely to encounter are the Bottlenose Dolphin and the Long Finned Pilot Whale. Onboard Bessie Ellen are books and display sheets helping you identify all the wildlife you see around you, cetaceans, fish and birds and the crew have a strong interest in wildlife and are very knowledgable having spent years working at sea. Bottlenosed Dolphins: The Bottlenosed Dolphins appear to be grinning as they ride the bow wave and play with each other speeding through the water. If you study them closely as they swim beside Bessie Ellen you can look for distinguishing marks on the fins or around the head. Spotted Dolphin and Common Dolphin: These are the acrobats of the ocean, leaping and flying through the air they make some of the most spectacular displays you can imagine. Long Finned Pilot Whale: Some distance from the accelerated pace of the Dolphins the Pilot Whales can often be seen as they lie almost motionless at the water s surface. A pod of these larger cetaceans have chosen the Los Gigantes area as their permanent home. The Pilot Whale pod can often stretch over many miles of ocean. The larger males act as guardians at the outer edges of the pod. The groups most often seen are the nursery pods. This includes mothers with their young and adolescent females that take turns in "babysitting" the younger animals. The pods stay in touch with each other using a complicated sonar communication system that is made up of click s, whistles and squeals. Other Whales: The Canaries lies on the migration route of many whales and at various times it is possible to see Sperm Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Right Whales, Minke Whales and the very rare Blainvilles Toothed Whale. Turtles: Loggerhead Turtles are the most common seen in the Canaries and to witness one of these amazing creatures alongside Bessie Ellen would be a real treat. There are no breeding sites for turtles in the Canaries but leatherbacks have been seen on some of the islands beaches in recent times. Manta Rays: These graceful flying machines of the ocean are found in the Canaries but sightings of them from the surface are not so common but you might be lucky snorkelling.

7 Voyage Preparation for Bessie Ellen Luggage Your main piece of luggage should be a soft kit bag. A hard suitcase is NOT suitable as space is strictly limited. A small rucksack as your hand luggage could be useful later for trips ashore. Accommodation The ship has 12 bunks down the side of the ship in her massive saloon. There are curtains for each bunk and a reading light, and both top and bottom bunks are big enough to sit up and read. Being a traditional timber ship she does not have air conditioning so in the heat of the day the accommodation may get quite warm, but at anchor or in harbour the roof of the hold can be opened. Clothing The ship has wet weather jackets and trousers for you. It would also be sensible to have warm clothes for night watches or windy days. Cotton tops, t-shirts and shorts are worn on sunny days. Footwear Basically a couple of pairs of shoes with a good grip. If one gets wet then you have a spare. If you are running around on deck it is useful to have at least one pair of shoes that protect your toes e.g. trainers and perhaps a pair of velcro strapped sandals (like reef s or teva all terrain sandals). Lightweight walking boots or shoes might be useful alternative to trainers if you go walking in the mountains, and are fine on deck too. Practical Information Joining time is between 4pm and 8pm local time. Departing time is 9am local time. Climate Canaries - Warm mostly T-shirts and shorts by day - cooler at night. Occasional afternoon showers Azores - Half way between the Canaries and Cornwall but more likely to have rain. Expect hot and cool. Equipment to bring with you. Passport & travel documents and travel insurance. High factor sun- block and sunglasses are recommended. You need protection from the reflection of the sun on the water along with Sea Sickness tablets (Stugeron) A large and Small towel Swimsuit (maybe a facemask and snorkel if you have one)(optional) Earplugs if you are a light sleeper Torch and spare batteries (optional) Camera and film or charger (220v on Bessie Ellen) Binoculars (optional) Waterbottle (optional) t shirts and shorts Long trousers and fleece shirts and a windproof shirt or jacket Freshly Cooked Meals & Special Diets Three freshly cooked meals a day and non alcoholic drinks are included in the voyage price. If you are ashore for a day trip then you will have to buy your own meals. Alcoholic drinks like bottles of wine can usually be bought on board. Customers on Bessie Ellen have consistently voted the food as excellent, and it is definitely part of the experience. Coming originally from a organic farming and catering background Nikki places great importance on delicious freshly cooked food wherever the ship sails, taking the best of local specialities. There is usually a choice and vegetarians and other diets can be catered for if you let us know on the booking form. Personal Expenses You ll need some extra money to cover drinks and souvenirs not included in the voyage price. You will also need some local currency for sightseeing and spending money at Islands visited. Flights or airport transfers to the port are not included but the Canaries flights are cheap. Click here for flight information On arrival at Santa Cruz Bus Terminal it is approx 3km to the port, but a taxi is only approx 3.50 EUROS Have a photo of the ship handy to help taxi driver identify / find ship, they often think you are joining a cruise ship - make sure they get Bessie Ellen. Taxi Direct from Airport to Bessie Ellen Location of Vessel Tenerife- Getting From the airport to Santa Cruz Santa Cruz is a big commercial port with marinas and cruise ship docks. Bessie Ellen will try to berth as marked on the map for each voyage start which is a very convenient spot for the centre of town, and within walking distance from the bus terminal if you are travelling light. If you cannot see the vessel or have any problems the ships mobile is Here is a Google Map Link Bus Service (Public) Tenerife has an excellent and extensive modern bus service throughout the island. Company Name TITSA (green buses) Buy your ticket inside the terminal building. Buses leave the airport and Bus Station for the return on the hour and half past Service No 111. Distance: 65km Current cost of ticket: 6.20 EUROS - Approx 50 mins.

8 Welcome Back Bessie Ellen - Sailing Schedule Autumn 2011 and Winter 2012 Voyage No Date from - Join between 4pm & 8pm local time. Date to - depart at 9am local time. Days ports from and to Details - Flight prices were checked in September - we do not sell flights but hope the information is useful to you. Early Booking will reduce your flight costs. Voyage Fee BE133 Tues 18 Oct Sat 29 Oct 11 BE134 Mon 31 Oct Tues 15 Nov 15 Charlestown to Vigo Biscay Crossing (flights to or from Vigo 99) 750 Vigo to Santa Cruz, Tenerife Blue Water Sailing 900 nautical miles (flights to or from Santa Cruz approx 99) 899 BE135 Fri 18 Nov Fri 25 Nov 7 Santa Cruz, Tenerife Canary Islands Sunshine Sailing 799 BE136 Sat 26 Nov Sat 3 Dec 7 Santa Cruz, Tenerife Canary Islands Sunshine Sailing 799 BE137 Sun 4 Dec Sun 11 Dec BE138 Mon 12 Dec Mon 19 Dec 7 7 Santa Cruz, Tenerife Canary Islands Sunshine Sailing 799 Santa Cruz, Tenerife Canary Islands Sunshine Sailing 799 BE139 Wed 21 Dec Wed 28 Dec 7 Santa Cruz, Tenerife Canary Islands Christmas Sunshine Sailing 799 BE140 Thurs 29 Dec Thurs 5 Jan Santa Cruz, Tenerife Canary Islands New Year Sunshine Sailing 799