Voyages | Designing The Matthew | Building the Matthew

2001 Channel Voyages - This year the Matthew ventures forth once more, taking paying passengers for the first time as she makes her way towards Portsmouth for the Festival of the Sea

Log of the Matthew, 2001

21st July, 2001 - Penzance

On Monday morning (July 15th) we departed Portishead bound for Penzance. On board, in addition to the regular crew, we were carrying five paying passengers, all eager to sample life aboard the Matthew. The morning was spent going over various aspects of the ship with the passengers and completing last minute preparations before we set sail in calm, sunny conditions.

During the day the wind slowly built from the east and by the time we arrived at Lundy it was blowing 35 knots with a lumpy sea. The planned stop at Lundy was abandoned and at 5am the forecorse was set and we began reaching southeast across the wind. The wind gradually died again although the seas remained and by nightfall on Tuesday all sails were down and we were again engining towards Lands End. The night watches had to keep a careful watch for fishing vessels and precise navigation was required to thread us between the coast and the shipping channels between Lands End and the Scilly Isles.

Wednesday morning found us drifting off Penzance waiting for the tide to rise so we could lock in. The crew put the time to good use; washing the deck, sorting out some of the chaos caused by two days of strong winds and sharp seas and trying their hands at a little fishing. It was with some relief that we pulled in to Penzance, docked with remarkable precision and then headed to the showers. The guests had been introduced to the Matthew the hard way but had swiftly gained their sea legs and were thoroughly enjoying themselves. All had become dab hands at steering, not to mention moving around a bouncing, twisting little ship.

After a night in port we set out again for some more sailing at the request of the guests. The weather was fine and we set all sail as we left Penzance. Everyone that wanted was given a chance to fire one of the Matthew's cannons and climb up to the crows nest, things that had been impossible before due to the weather. The winds stayed moderate throughout the night and all the watches enjoyed some beautiful night sailing but as we again approached Penzance the clouds rolled in, the wind rose and the rain came down. Our entry into Penzance was delayed by other vessels moving around the harbour so we had to spend a couple of hours motoring around in the driving rain but spirits remained high in anticipation of a warm pub at the end.

That evening, Friday, we all retired to the closest pub to swap stories and share drinks after a very successful week's sailing. All the guests were very happy with their experiences and the crew were delighted to have them along.

Luke Porter - First Mate

28th July, 2001 - Weymouth

This week saw a complete contrast to last week. During the weekend the Matthew was open to the public and many people came aboard to have a look around. Some also signed up for the 24 hour run to Plymouth, joining the guests who were with us for the whole week, so that we were close to full when we left Penzance on Monday morning.

On the Sunday afternoon we went for a little sail with Penzance dignitaries on board to show them a good time after having them on for a function the evening before. We all enjoyed ourselves so much we decided to come back again.

We set off at the crack of dawn on a sunny Monday morning, motoring in a flat calm. We entered Plymouth on Tuesday morning, proceeding slowly past the breakwater firing our guns at every vessel we passed. Not a single one escaped and the last shots were fired at the lock keeper's office as we entered Sutton Harbour. Most of the rest of the day was spent building a variety of gangplanks and steps to allow the public on board safely before we all dashed off for welcome showers and relaxation.

The public came aboard in a steady stream in the heat of Tuesday and Wednesday and on Wednesday night we went out for a 12 hour sail, taking with us a number of extra guests who signed up for just that trip. Again the weather was calm and warm and we motored out to the Eddystone light before shutting off the engines and drifting under the stars for a few hours. At dawn we fired up the engine again and drove back to Plymouth, opening to the public upon arrival.

We left Plymouth once again on Thursday evening, this time for good. Again we had a number of guests signed up for just this trip and, again, the weather was calm and warm. After motoring all night we arrived off Weymouth at lunchtime and proceeded to cruise up and down the packed beach firing off the cannons and getting some remarkable echoes off the beachfront. Initially we moored by the ferry port but after a few hours we moved to a pontoon a stone's throw from the marina showers and promptly opened to the public.

Some of the volunteers from Bristol joined us for the weekend to look after the public and while our guests took their leave after a relaxing week the crew took the opportunity to dive in to some maintenance. To show our appreciation for Weymouth we have been firing guns at 9am, noon and 6pm and enjoying the showers and laundry facilities at every opportunity.

The coming week looks to be calm and warm, at least to start with, and we're off to France. We have a full load of guests and the aim is to go to Portsmouth via the Cherbourg peninsular. We'll tell you all about it next week.

Luke Porter - First Mate

4th August, 2001 - Portsmouth

As predicted the trip to France was perfect. The new load of guests arrived on Sunday and by the evening we were enjoying a little game of football on the beach at Weymouth. On Monday morning we set off in glorious sunshine, firing a few guns for good effect, and set the sails for a square reach across the channel.

The sails remained set throughout Monday, over night and into Tuesday and by lunch we were off St. Vaast le Hougue, our destination. We had a few hours to kill before we could get through the lock so we dropped the sails and drifted. The more adventurous of the crew grabbed brushes and dived over the side to give the waterline a good scrub. The water was warmer than expected so once the task was completed the swimming began in earnest, ending only when we had to head for the lock.

St. Vaast is a charming little Normandy port, packed with boats in an excellent marina and possessing a great beach. The crew quickly scattered to hit the showers and scope out the local shops before gathering at a bar for late night drinks. Wednesday was taken up with dealing with French visitors and further exploration of the town and beach. After a final round of showers we left St. Vaast in the evening to a flurry of canon fire, and ran straight into steep seas and 25 knot winds on the nose.

A third of the crew immediately succumed to sea sickness and the rest swiftly sought their bunks in anticipation of a much tougher passage than the previous one. For several hours we engined against the sea before we were able to bear off and set the main staysail. The motion immediately settled down and we made slow but steady progress until dawn when the forecouse was added. The wind and waves moderated throughout the day and Thursday evening found us off Cowes in the Solent trying to pick up a mooring bouy. The combination of fast tide and cross-wind made the manoeuvrer rather tricky and it took a couple of attempts but before long we were snugly tied up with a water taxi on the way to take half the crew for a quick run ashore.

Those left on board dug out the French wine and cheeses purchased in quantity the day before and proceeded to have a rather cultured evening. The shore crew joined in once they returned and the revelries continued well in to the night.

Friday was taken up slowly making our way from Cowes to Portsmouth, blazing away with the canons at everything that came close. Several boats were honoured with a complete broadside courtesy of the forward canons mounted especially for the occasion. To our disappointment we were refused permission to fire our guns inside Portsmouth but we made up for it by wandering around the harbour until chastised by the Queen's Harbour Master.

We moored at Gun Wharf, a new development nested amid the ferry ports and right next to Old Portsmouth. After tidying up the boat and taking hundreds of group photos we all headed out on the town to celebrate the end of a wonderful and memorable trip. As usual the party continued late into the night until we were superceded by a yacht moored on the next pontoon. On Saturday all the guests left in small groups until just the core crew was left. We will be in Portsmouth until the end of August, open to the public and going for day sails. Our next trip will be to Penzance starting August 28th, more updates then!

Luke Porter - First Mate

1st September, 2001 - Penzance

After several weeks of day sailings and Festival activities the Matthew was on the move once more. The crew assembled on board on the last day of the International Festival of the Sea in Portsmouth ready for an early departure from the Festival site. We were woken somewhat earlier than planned at 5:30am by a loud bang and the ship shifting sideways. Shooting up on deck in our underwear we discovered that the water level in our dock had fallen causing the pontoon we were tied up against to slip down the wall and bang against the hull. Damage was minimal however and we left on schedule amidst dozens of other vessels. We decided to take the long route around the back of the Isle of Wight to Weymouth, after having a little gun battle with the Russian ship Schtandart that was moored ahead of us at the Festival. We won by getting off six shots to their one and causing them to loose their dingy!

A fast, sunny day's sail put us into Weymouth where we spent a day doing laundry and numerous little tasks that were impossible to accomplish at the Festival. We left again on Wednesday evening and travelled overnight to Dartmouth. We arrived in time to witness the start of the days racing for the Dartmouth Regatta and helped out by firing our guns until we were told to go away. We moored between two buoys in the middle of the river at Dartmouth and watched the festivities all day. We were soon joined by a fisheries patrol vessel as well as a host of other boats either tied up alongside or anchored very close by. Just as we were enjoying supper the Red Arrows arrived to put on a show right in the valley and as night fell an impressive fireworks display was launched right over our heads. On the whole a wonderful day.

We left the following morning, Friday, and made all speed for Penzance. After an uneventful run we entered the lock at 5:00am on Saturday and tied up snugged between fishing boats before falling into bed. It had been a busy week following right on the heels of the bustle of the Festival and, with just one week left, we needed a day to recuperate.

Luke Porter - First Mate

8th September, 2001 - Bristol

The new guests arrived throughout Sunday and settled in well, acquainting themselves with the favourite crew haunts in Penzance. We had a full load of guests and crew with a wide range of people, all excited to be on board. We left Monday morning at the crack of dawn to motor round to St. Ives. St. Ives had been asking us to drop in since we left Bristol and we were finally able to oblige them, perching on the end of the harbour wall for a few hours at high tide. The Mayoress and her entourage came aboard for a small function and then we left at supper time to the traditional Matthew accompaniment of canons.

The aim was to sail to Lundy but the wind swung around just far enough to scupper our plans. We set the staysail and motor sailed in lumpy seas slowly up the coast. One after the other the watches commented on the relative non-movement of Trevose Head until most had seen it at least twice. By Tuesday evening the seas eased, our progress picked up and dawn on Wednesday saw us picking up the buoy at Lunday. After a little snooze everyone went ashore via dingy and spent the day exploring the island and sampling the lone pub. Arrangements were made for the hard core fans to watch the England vs. Albania match while the rest of the crew relaxed on board.

On Thursday morning we slipped our mooring and hoisted the staysail, fore course, spritsail and lateen sail and with a small bit of assistance from the engine made good time reaching towards Swansea. We arrived at dusk and shot our way into the marina, impressing some local kids at close range. After showers we retired to a nearby pub to toast our cleanliness. On Friday we sailed up the Severn Estuary, having set main, fore and spritsails after leaving Swansea. With 25 knots of wind behind us we barreled along for the first day's unassisted sailing since the trip to France. We arrived at Portishead that evening and slipped quietly in.

On Saturday morning we mounted all four cannons and test fired them leaving Portishead. Over the two months since we left we have been refining our wadding preparation and loading techniques and our bangs are now much louder than when we left. Having checked the volume we then proceeded up the river Avon, shooting various places along the way and waving to people obviously pleased to see us return. As we entered Bristol proper we opened fire with all guns. The shooting continued non-stop as we gently motored down the the city center, turned around and then drove back to our home mooring alongside the SS Great Britain. Crowds waved to us the whole way and it was great to be back, especially arriving in such fine style. We tied up with practiced efficiency and then had a small party for the crew, volunteers and guests both past and present who turned up to see us. A memorable end to a very successful first voyage of the Matthew in three years.

Luke Porter - First Mate