The last surviving lug-rigged St Ives Mackerel Driver ‘Barnabas’ has been voted ‘Centenarian of the Year’, receiving the highly-coveted Gstaad Yacht Club award at the worldwide Classic Boat 2025 Awards in London. The unique 143 year old working boat is moored in Newlyn and owned by the Cornish Maritime Trust (CMT), a community charity whose mission is to preserve historic vessels and teach endangered heritage sailing skills to the next generation of sailors. Trustees travelled to London to accept a magnificent silver trophy at the Royal Thames Yacht Club on the edge of Hyde Park, applauded by hundreds of sailors and adventurers from around the world
“Cornwall can be immensely proud of this award which recognises the huge efforts of our community and so many others who are passionate about preserving our maritime heritage,” said Chairman and Skipper, Toby Floyer. “Coming after our ambitious voyage last year, it’s great to know that support for our work is growing, both in the UK and now internationally. We have exciting plans for 2025 and beyond, and this accolade could not come at a better time.” In 2024 Barnabas completed a two month, 1400 mile voyage to four Celtic nations, training along the way 43 sailors aged 18 to 79, and raising £20,000 to replace her two masts and spars.
The Gstaad Yacht Club Trophy
The solid silver bowl trophy, weighing several kilos, and its accompanying silver champagne flute, were hand-crafted by heritage Silversmiths, Robbe & Berking in Germany. They were presented by Cindy Shoenrich, Managing Director of Gstaad Yacht Club in Switzerland, proud sponsors of the Centenarian Award. Trustees of the CMT are planning an opportunity in the coming weeks for local supporters to see the unique trophy and celebrate Barnabas at her mooring on the Old Quay in Newlyn. All are welcome and details will be posted to the charity’s facebook page in the coming week.
Interest in the Classic Boat annual awards continues to grow, with over 25,000 votes cast online this year and sailors and adventurers from across the globe gathering to celebrate maritime achievements in nine categories. This international award for Barnabas marks a new level of recognition for the Cornish Maritime Trust which maintains four historic boats and is open to new members of all ages. Those interested to sail with the Trust or support its vital work can follow the charity on Facebook or Instagram or contact the Trustees via the website: www.cornishmaritimetrust.org
Press enquiries and images via Esmé Page: ep@esmepageconsulting.com
About the Cornish Maritime Trust
The Cornish Maritime Trust is a charity which exists to preserve Cornwall’s maritime heritage by maintaining and sailing working vessels from the days of sail. Run by volunteers, it aims to educate people about Cornwall’s maritime heritage, trains people of all ages in the skills associated with traditional sailing, restoration and maintenance, and shares the enjoyment of sailing historic working boats with community. The Trust operates four unique boats: Barnabas (1881 dipping lugger, 40ft), Softwing (1900 Truro River oyster dredger, 24ft) and Ellen (1882 Gorran Haven crabber, 17ft) as well as one replica (1890’s dipping lugger, 22 ft), Silver Stream, used for training.
The Trust is always happy to welcome new members with an annual membership scheme from £30 which makes sailing and learning affordable. The charity relies on donations and sponsorship to continue its vital work. To find out about membership or to support the Trust, please visit: https://cornishmaritimetrust.org/ or follow Cornish Maritime Trust on Facebook.
About Barnabas and the historic ‘dipping-lug’
Barnabas is the only sailing survivor from St Ives, of the thousand-strong fleet of lug rigged seine and drift net fishing boats registered at Cornish ports at the end of the 19th century. She was built for Barnabas Thomas by Henry Trevorrow above Porthgwidden Beach, St.Ives. Barnabas was first registered on 28th October 1881 as a Class 2 pilchard boat, with the number 634 SS. Later, she was re-registered as a Class 1 mackerel driver and her number switched to SS 634. The number is said to have been chosen as it corresponded to the hymn “Will Your Anchor Hold” in the Methodist hymn book used at the time.
Barnabas is known as a dipping lugger denoting the way the lug sail on her foremast is partly lowered to tack (or jibe), and the foresail and 23ft yard is passed around the front of the mast. The main sheet on the new tack is then attached to the sail. The sail and yard, from which the sail hangs is then raised on the appropriate side of the mast. This method means that the foresail sets efficiently on both tacks for faster sailing. Sailing this rig requires specific skills and well-honed teamwork by a crew of at least five.
About the Gstaad Yacht Club
The Gstaad Yacht Club was formed 1998 by a group of sailors with the vision to “create a unique global yacht club away from the water”. The Centenarian of the Year trophy ties in with the club’s annual Centenary Trophy race at the Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez attacking som of the oldest yachts afloat. The Centenarian of the Year silver bowl and silver champagne flute are made and donated by German silversmiths Robbe & Berking.
Image: CMT Trustees Toby Floyer, Dave Need and Rob McDowell at Classic Boat’s 2025 Awards (📸 Esmé Page)
Image 2: Celebrating the award with Gstaad Managing Director Cindy Schoenrich at Thames Royal Yacht Club (📸 Esmé Page)
