The Mounts Bay Gig
While building
the local passenger vessel “Sea Horse”, Peter Martin got the contract to
build the new Mounts Bay Gig. Work actually commenced on building
the gig in November 1997 although a lot of preparation work had already
gone into the project. As it was Peter’s first gig, the plans had
to be obtained, the Cornish Pilot Gig Association sent the specifications
and the moulds were made by Peter and Ralph Bird back in the summer of
1997 on one of Ralph’s visits to the islands. The specifications
laid down by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association is very specific and as
all the gig clubs know, all the new racing gigs need to comply with this
‘spec’ and the original drawings taken from the gig “Trefry”.
Because of the scarcity of elm, Peter had to order a tree from East Lothian in Scotland. This was kindly stored at Andrew Nancarrow’s in Bissoe until it was needed. In the meantime an elm was blown down at Watermill and Peter was able to obtain this. When it was cut into slabs it was found to be hollow in the centre and not suitable for planking. It would however make thwarts. An elm coffin lid was donated by Keith Hodkinson of Ludgvan (too good to be wasted!) and was ideal for the coxswain’s seat.
At the end of October, Peter, Ralph and Andrew got together and hired a sawmill near Truro for the day and got their supplies of elm sawn into planks ready for their gigs. Peter’s then had to be carefully transported over to Scilly on the Gry Maritha.
When the gig was set up in the shed at Trenoweth it received its’ first official measuring before planking could be commenced. Further measuring took place at the stages set by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association.
Peter has since received notification to build a second gig for Mounts
Bay to be launched for the 1999 season.
Our first gig “Lyonnesse” was built by Ralph Bird and launched in 1988. As the club developed and expanded another gig was needed and “Sally” was built for us by Peter Foord in Mevagissey and was launched in 1990. These fine boats have served us well.
However, we feel that it is time for us to move on again, and to this end we have asked Peter Martin to build our next gig on Scilly. This will be Peter’s first gig and we are confident that his enthusiasm and craftsman skills will produce the modern racing gig that we need.
David Roberts.
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