Shaun White Collection

Class 1 Smacks laid up for the summer at Brightlingsea. The date is between 1904 (when the 'Anchor' pub. was built) and 1908 (the postcard date). The smack bows on to the left is the PIONEER (CK18) and the one abeam and farthest to the right is the EXCELLENT (CK30).

With the wreck safe ashore the first task was to find out who actually owned the vessel. After several false leads it was established that a Charitable Trust could now be set up with the specific aim to acquire and rebuild the PIONEER, using as far as practical traditional methods. When complete the vessel will be chartered to provide sail training, particularly for the young, the disabled and those deprived by social and economic circumstances.

Three Trustees have been appointed. They are, Rupert Marks owner of the Smack HYACINTH, who is Project Leader, Mary Falk of London, Solicitor and Trans Atlantic single handed sailor and Charles Harker, Chartered Surveyor and owner of the Bawley MARIGOLD.

The Pioneer Trust was now in business. A five-year Licence, at a peppercorn rent, has been granted to occupy covered premises at Great Totham. A workshop has been equipped and supplies of timber have been acquired and are stacked in the dry for seasoning. A team of shipwrights has been assembled. Brian Kennell and Shaun White have extensive experience in traditional ship restorations. They are assisted by Brandon Oram and Alex Risk.

A haul across the fields was the only way to get the PIONEER to the rebuild area

A search in the Records Office at Kew, revealed the original ship registration dated 1864 and it was traced right down to 1948, when the PIONEER was finally withdrawn from the Registry. A small exhibition of photographs and contemporary engravings has been set-up at Great Totham telling the history of these big smacks and also recording the rescue of the PIONEER. Dr R Prescott of St Andrew's University, who has prepared the Historic Ships Register, has inspected her.

The Trust has made contact with Brightlingsea Town Council, the Harbour Commissioners, and the Museum and Town Quay Association. They have all given the Trust their approval of the Project. When she is completed it is hoped that the PIONEER will be based at Brightlingsea.

Framing up the forward section towards the new stem

Rebuilding work is now well under way. A new keel, stem and stern post are all in position. Framing up the forward section of the vessel is practically complete. A gallery has been built so that visitors may view the work as it progresses. From the computer - generated lines, drawn out by D M Cannell and Associates of Wivenhoe, the shipwrights, are able to cut out each frame using a full-scale pattern. It is a rare opportunity to see a smack restoration on this scale again in Essex.

This all costs money - a lot of money. The rebuild is estimated at £430,000. Approximately one third of this sum has been secured from private charities. The remainder will have to be raised from wherever the Trust can find it. However, in the meantime, work is progressing fast and there are stocks of timber in hand to enable the vessel to be framed out and planked. The Trust welcomes visitors who are interested in traditional ships and shipbuilding methods.

Copied with thanks from the 2000 West Mersea Town Regatta Programme.

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2001 - The Pioneer Trust