Ocean Addict

Ocean Addict has been catching up with Pete Goss and finding out all about his exciting new project. It's another epic boat-build and sailing voyage, but this is so incredibly different from everything he's done before.

Pete's dream is to re-create the heroic journey of seven Cornishmen who set sail from Newlyn in Cornwall 154 years ago to try their luck at the Australian gold rush. All seven adventurers were related by either blood or marriage and several of them had never been out of the sight of land. The 'Mystery', an open Mounts Bay Lugger, measured just 37 feet in length, had a beam of 11 feet 6 inches and weighed 16 tons. Leaving Newlyn on Saturday 18th November 1854, the Mystery travelled about 11,800 nautical miles in 116 days before arriving in Melbourne on 14th March 1855. A short stop in Cape Town for repairs and replenishments was the only break the men had from the voyage, and so impressive was their progress that the Royal Mail commissioned the Mystery to take the post onwards from South Africa to Australia.

As a celebration of their achievement, Pete has built the 'Spirit Of Mystery' in Innsworke Mill boatyard at Millbrook in Cornwall and with 3 other crew members (including Pete's youngest son, Eliot), all related by either blood or marriage, Pete will re-trace the route of the original voyage. The boat is as true to the original as possible, including the lack of modern navigational systems, and is astoundingly beautiful. While the exterior has a distinct air of elegance coupled with assuring robustness, below decks not only looks, but also feels like the cosiest of cottages, complete with a pot-bellied wood burner. This time round, Pete will use nothing but the stars and sheer determination to get them to their destination, and perhaps the odd Sunday roast in front of the fire!

Click on the Spirit Of Mystery link to find out more about this superbly exciting adventure and keep up to date with Pete's progress.