A Lowestoft smack built in 1921, this 77' (23m) historic fishing vessel has been meticulously restored to her original sailing appearance. | | 1921 | | | | Having been built on spec by John Chambers of Lowestoft, she was bought by a local consortium to replace their 1885 smack that had been condemned, following a collision with a steamer in fog. | | | | 1935 | | | | Sold to Bjorn Stensland of Norway and converted to a motor coaster. | | | | 1971 | | | | Sold to John Wylson who sailed her back to Lowestoft in 1972, whereupon he went into partnership with Mark Trevitt to restore her back to sail. | | | | 1982 | | | | After replacing much of the framing, the partners formed the Excelsior Trust to complete her reconstruction and operate her as a sail training ship. The trust was formally incorporated on 6th February 1983.
| | | | 1985-8 | | | | Restoration completed back to 'as built' condition on deck. Fitted out to modern standards down below (where all evidence of her fishing fit-out had been removed when she was converted to a coaster). | | | | 1988 | | | | Commissioned by HRH the Princess Royal as a sail training ship. | | | | 1989 | | | | Circumnavigated most of Britain on a proving voyage. Started sail training and entered her first Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race under Skipper, Mick Hart. Was the subject of a TV programme for the first time in Anglia TV's "Sailaway" series. | | | | 1998-9 | | | | Trawled again under skipper Stuart White. The process of recreating the gear and the traditional clothing for the crew was the subject of a 55 minute programme by Channel 4 in their series: "The Real History Show". It was broadcast in 2000 under the title "Fish and Ships". | | | | 1999 | | | | Rated by the National Historic Ship Committee as one of the nation's 60 most important historic vessels that now form the National Core Collection. | | | | 2005 | | | | Chartered by the Cirdan Sailing Trust to help provide sail training for (disadvantaged) young people, which means that "Excelsior" is part of the largest fleet of sail training ships in the UK. | |
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