Burnham Thorpe
www.nelsonslocal.co.uk

STS 'Lord Nelson'

This is a series of photographs, and a poem, by Pat Ascroft.
She was on board 'STS (Sail Training Ship) Lord Nelson' in July/August 2005.
They were retracing the journey of 'HMS Pickle' which brought
the news of Nelsons' death from Trafalgar (Cadiz) to Falmouth.

'STS Lord Nelson' along with 'STS Tenacious'
is owned by a unique charity, the Jubilee Sailing Trust.
These magnificent tall ships are the only two vessels in the world
that have been specifically designed and built to enable a crew of
mixed physical abilities to sail side by side on equal terms.
You can find out more at www.jst.org.uk

So let the journey begin.....


'STS Lord Nelson in Cadiz


Worried looks on the faces of Pat and
Watch Leader, David.
Very light winds meant they were only moving
at 2 Knots.
This was like conditions at the
Battle of Trafalgar.
Very scary to have all this sail up and hardly moving.


Bay of Biscay. Night Watch. (8 Knots)


Pat with harness on. Ready to go aloft.


Clearing the decks.


Penzance - all ashore in the dotty boat.
6/2 heave from 20 of us hauling on a rope
lifts Sam in her wheelchair and swings her
over the side.
It takes courage and guts to allow your
fellow shipmates to do that to you.


Off Falmouth, bunting at the ready.


'STS Lord Nelson' taking the part of
the schooner 'HMS Pickle'
Actor, Alex Price, taking the part of
Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotiere.


Falmouth welcomes us.
Gun salute from Pendennis Castle


Lapenotiere being taken ashore to Falmouth
from 'STS Nelson' in the cutter.
(4th August 2005)


Sailing craft of all sizes. TV, Radio, Family & Friends


The crew of the cutter who rowed
Alex and the Dispatch to shore at Falmouth


Dressed Overall


The Princess Royal aboard 'HMS Pembroke'

 


3.30am on a July morning 2005, I was sent below to wake the oncoming watch. "What's the weather like", I was asked. "Cloudy but fine" was my reply - and it was when I left the bridge - but this is the Bay of Biscay and by the time the new watch came on deck, it was lashing it down with rain.

They wouldn't let me forget it and quoted "cloudy but fine", on every possible occasion. I now know what Michael Fish felt like.

The poem below, which I wrote on a ships sick bag was placed on the bunk of my chief antagonist, author, Max Adams.

When he found out I was a member of the Womens Institute, he wrote a very witty piece in reply, also on a sick bag, about how women would have dealt with the conflict with the enemy.

Thought you might like to know what we do between watches!

Pat Ascroft

October 21st 1805 off Cape Trafalgar

Cloudy but fine said Villeneuve,
Is the weather I predict for today.
We'll blow him to bits, this Lord of the Brits,
And show him that we rule the way.

Cloudy but fine, said Collingwood
Is this sherry I sip as I shave.
I'll speak with my men, and say an Amen,
Sovereign men are gallent and brave.

Cloudy but fine, said our hero,
Is not what I hoped for at all.
I need more than force two to carry us through,
For a victory with each cannon ball.

Cloudy but fine, wrote Collingwood,
In the words of the famous dispatch.
Nelson's been killed, but his wish was fulfilled,
And Britain scored most in the match.

Cloudy and fine was the mixture,
Drunk by Nelsons' men straight from the wood.
Rum, urine and sweat, Burnham Thorpe makes it yet,
Its called to this day, Nelsons Blood.
______________________

Pat Ascroft
Aboard STS Lord Nelson
Bay of Biscay
July 2005