T.S. Royalist turns 40 in a fortnight...

Welcome to the forum. Are you an individual, or a collective avatar for a square-rig association?

Anything new about Royalist, I'll always be glad to learn. I'm sure I speak for all the contributors above... :)
 
As a young lad, around 10, sometime in the 1970s, I was visiting my father on his ship, which was docked up at Mallaig. The TS Royalist came along side and after a while I got invited aboard. The guys took me out on the bow sprit, up the mast and let me slide down a rope from the top hand over hand. Later they offered me sweeties down below from the ships stores!

That was a very memorable visit as the ship had been chartered to carry a mini submarine, of the Alvin class. I got to sit inside that, on the deck and operate both the large and small claws. The divers also took me for a trip in their rubber dinghy.

I may have the wrong tall ship in mind as the name "Spewy Louis" springs to mind which might have been another TS. Happy days that cemented my desire to go to sea.
 
theoldsalt said:
BlowingOldBoots,

Do you mean the three mast Schooner "Prince Louis" nicknamed "Spewy Louis"
Click to expand...

It could have been her. I was just a lad and this impressive sailing ship came along side. I am remembering more now and when I was aloft a chap was scraping a spar, removing varnish perhaps. I remember it because he was sitting right out on the end doing this job. I notice that the Royalist has what looks like metal spars. There was also more deck than the Royalist.

My Mum will have photos somewhere as I remember a picture of me out on the bow sprit. Whatever the vessel this is a bit of nostalgic memory lane for me.

I have just looked her up on Google and I can't say that the picture clarifies anything but the Prince Louis may have been based in Scotland for the Outward Bound Trust, which would tie in with Mallaig and the earlier 1970s or even late 1960s.

http://www.maritimequest.com/sailing_ships/nette_s/nette_s_page_1.htm
http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthread.php?t=7902
http://outwardboundgenerations.org.uk/news/le-bel-espoir-–-so-what-became-prince-louis

Thanks for the prompt oldsalt.

BlowingOldBoots
 
In the early 1980's one Easter I and a crew had to reposition my boat to Cowes as her mooring wasn't ready; we got a pasting, though the Anderson was happy.

Royalist was out in it and saw us, recording 55 knots in the squalls.

We got chatting that night at East Cowes Marina with her crew - it was a 'Square Riggers Association' do, and after a chat with the skipper they offered 'the crew of the little blue boat' a lift home the next day.

Absoutely wonderful, the feeing of power as we shot along Southsea front was something I'll never forget.

I'll be raising a glass to Royalist, and her next 40 years.
 
I noted (last summer when this thread was new!) that Royalist is no giant, in spite of looking perfectly in proportion.

Can't help wondering why folk with millions to spend, tend to go for very dull, slick white hulls and triangular rigs. What could be more impressive, and atmospheric, than one's own authentic eighty-foot brig (or brigantine)?

True, any training ship is meant to be labour-intensive, unlike private yachts. But I doubt the reefing systems employed aboard low-effort super-sloops, are beyond modification for more characterfully-rigged vessels.

Considering how often very large private yachts are intended by their owners to dazzle guests and make an impression, I'd have thought that building a steel hull (which needn't be weight-conscious or expensively avant garde) then rigging it in eye-catching, evocative traditional style, would speak memorable volumes for her owner, and be recognised from miles away, wherever she sailed. Isn't that the nouveau-riche-and-famous ideal?! :D

I just wish beauties like Royalist weren't so rare.

WY2T1673_royalist_v_pd.jpg
 
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dancrane,

in the 1980's there was a very impressive small ship / large yacht, the 'Centurion', memory fades but I think bermadan ketch with a square topsail - may have been a topsail schooner though.

She was a good looking vessel, probably a touch bigger than Royalist; we exchanged cheers when passing in the latter.

A bit later she was bought by film star Kelly McGillis and her husband, who did a fit-out then set off around the world.

Refreshing that not all film stars go for a thing like a pumped-up sunseeker !
 
Very true. Apparently Centurion was badly burned in Florida, April 1996, but, get this: the old 120' yacht was then cut in two and lengthened by forty feet! She's now known as Arabella. 160' long. Definitely what I'd call a three-masted staysail schooner:

arabella.jpg


Interesting that pre-fire, the vessel had been valued at £1000,000. Looks to be worth more, now!
 
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On the subject of traditional, grand equivalents to Oysters and Sunseekers, it's interesting how affordable they appear to be, at least to acquire...but I guess a thirty-metre wooden boat will need serious, regular spending on bespoke sails and gear, new decks, repairs...

image.phtml


...that's Pickle. Nearly a hundred foot overall, and going for £320,000. Damn! Picture's not opening. Lots of pics on this link: http://www.western-horizon.co.uk/boat_details.php?boat_id=168


Oddly enough, I think Dan Snow also went aboard Pickle, in the documentary I watched which led me to start this thread. I suppose that shows what a rare breed these fabulous boats are.
 
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