Both vessels have made a welcome return to Falmouth – the Polish vessel Fryderyk Chopin just a few months after she left the docks, and the Norwegian Sørlandet for the first time since 1966.
A&P Falmouth’s County Wharf, where both ships are berthed, has quickly become a focal point for visitors and locals.
Falmouth’s association with tall ships dates back centuries and the town always welcomes these restored vessels back with enthusiasm. It is also a reminder that the next big Tall Ships event is 2014 and Falmouth with A&P’s support will be bidding hard to host the spectacle.
Peter Child, Managing Director of A&P Falmouth, said: “It is always a pleasure to see these magnificent tall ships back in Falmouth. Seeing them moored alongside County Wharf, with the Falmouth skyline in the background, is a wonderful reminder of the town’s historic association with ships, which A&P is extremely proud to be part of.”
The Fryderyk Chopin entered the port under full sail for the first time since she lost both masts in a freak Atlantic storm en route to the Caribbean last November. She became a familiar sight in Falmouth, while a new rig was constructed and installed at A&P Falmouth before once again setting sail for the Caribbean.
A&P’s skilled workforce built two new steel masts, both 100ft high taper rolled and weighing 8 tonnes each, plus a new bowsprit. The aft mast also contains the stainless steel exhaust which had to fit perfectly inside the mast without touching. All the aluminium spars were repaired, some having been very badly damaged, and A&P’s riggers renewed all the vessels rigging and stays, a major project on its own. Finally when built and painted the heavy lift section lifted both masts into position using two cranes in a complex tandem lift from horizontal to vertical and then bolted into position.
The 57m Sørlandet, the oldest operating fully rigged ship in the world, was last in Falmouth 45 years ago. She arrived on Monday. She is a three-masted former school ship built in 1927 and is now used for adventure sailing for young people from her base in Kristiansand, Norway.
Both ships are in Falmouth as part of a continuing programme of visits by tall ships from around the world. John Hick, founder and chairman of Falmouth Tall Ships Association said “We are absolutely delighted to welcome these two vessels back into port and it is great to see Chopin fighting fit again.”
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Captions:
1. The majestic tall ships docked side by side on County Wharf, at A&P Falmouth. The Fryderyk Chopin is in the foreground and the Sørlandet in the background.