Gaffers return to Polperro after 100-year absence

A fleet of three traditional boats known as the Polperro Gaffers have returned to their home port after a 100-year absence.

Their design was reportedly born out of a devastating storm in March 1891 that more or less destroyed Polperro's original fishing fleet in one night.

The loss of the lucrative fishing industry prompted the government to send down a marine architect to design a craft that would be able to pass the port's narrow rocky entrance.

Paul Greenwood, a retired lugger skipper and maritime author, said: "So if you've got a fair wind out and a foul wind back or visa versa you've got to have a very nimble little sailing craft, close winded very handy. "

As mechanised engines and modern fishing vessels took over in the 20th Century, traditional sail-powered gaffers waned.

Greenwood said: "Since they came out of fishing, these boats have been all over the world.

"One has sailed the Atlantic, the Pacific and she ended up in West Australia.

"Another one they were exploring the islands of the Pacific and were anchored off a very remote island.

"It was deemed to have pirate treasure buried there.

"I came across the Vilona May when she was fallen to bits down at Helford, I said to some of the fellas here then there's one of your gaffers down there."

He said: "It is a very scenic harbour but of course when the last of the traditional wooden boats went in the 70s and 80s you just got run of the mill plastic boats which you can find anywhere.

"All out the different factories all looking the same.

"It's very nice after many years chivvying away that it's come to fruition, a lot better than I ever imagined it would.

"I think it is a very good thing for the harbour, it dresses the harbour well," he said.

Roger Puckey has been restoring the Nellie which left Polperro in 1947.

"Paul found out about the Nellie and we went up to Lymington and went to view her.

"A marine photographer had her and we inspected her and made the deal.

"I should have knocked more off it but hindsight's a hell of a thing isn't it, a wooden craft it's like restoring a heritage property.

"But it will be well worth it, I'm sure.

The Nellie was carried back to Cornwall on the back of a low loader.

"I went up to Trerulefoot roundabout and waited with anticipation until she came on the back of the truck.

"I led her back to the farm where we had her in a barn for a couple of years.

"Then later on she went up to Millbrook under the care of Graham Butler and Chris Rees all big names in the sailing heritage world.

"She's not quite ready to go sailing yet, I've got to put more ballast in her."

"My grandfather was born in the nineteen hundreds, he was always talking about them.

"It was all like a sort of mystique surrounding them.

"In the dull moments at school you were thinking about them, sketching them and drawing them, it was sort of a passion really and it's come to fruition."

The Nellie, the Vilona May and the Elizabeth Mary are the start with potentially six other gaffers that are currently under restoration.

Those involved hope all will be on show for a heritage sailing event on 4-7 June in Polperro harbour next year.

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