What is PILGRIM?
What is the PILGRIM Restoration Project?
Why is PILGRIM important?
Why is PILGRIM so rare?
Why should we restore PILGRIM?
What is the aim of the project?
What will happen to PILGRIM after restoration?
Who is involved in the restoration?
Where is the money coming from?
How can I help?
Thanks to our Helpers
What is the PILGRIM Restoration Project?
Why is PILGRIM important?
Why is PILGRIM so rare?
Why should we restore PILGRIM?
What is the aim of the project?
What will happen to PILGRIM after restoration?
Who is involved in the restoration?
Where is the money coming from?
How can I help?
Thanks to our Helpers
What is PILGRIM?
PILGRIM is a wooden sailing trawler with red sails. Built in Brixham in 1895 at one of Brixham’s most famous yards; J W & A Uphams. She Is ketch rigged, approximately 22.7m long (excluding bowsprit) and weighs around 90tons gross
PILGRIM is a wooden sailing trawler with red sails. Built in Brixham in 1895 at one of Brixham’s most famous yards; J W & A Uphams. She Is ketch rigged, approximately 22.7m long (excluding bowsprit) and weighs around 90tons gross
What is the PILGRIM Restoration Project?
When PILGRIM was found in Sweden in 1999, she was in a very poor state. The PILGRIM restoration project was created to save her and to restore her to as close as possible to her original condition.
When PILGRIM was found in Sweden in 1999, she was in a very poor state. The PILGRIM restoration project was created to save her and to restore her to as close as possible to her original condition.
Why is PILGRIM important?
PILGRIM represents a very important part of Britain’s maritime history both for boat building and for trawling. She also represents a time of great invention and industrial development. PILGRIM shares a flavour of the hardships of those who worked in the fishing industry in Victorian times, a very tough life for the majority of the population.
PILGRIM represents a very important part of Britain’s maritime history both for boat building and for trawling. She also represents a time of great invention and industrial development. PILGRIM shares a flavour of the hardships of those who worked in the fishing industry in Victorian times, a very tough life for the majority of the population.
Fishing has been a way of life in Brixham since the 1500’s. Over time the design of boats and fishing methods evolved hand in hand.
Brixham is known worldwide as “The Mother of Deep Sea Fishing”. The port is credited with the development of trawling when fishermen first began to use boats and nets to catch fish. These fishing methods were spread around the British Isles and other ports by Brixhamites who helped establish them using trawling as the main method of catching large volumes of fish, particularly in deep sea locations.
PILGRIM is a survivor from when Brixham was home a huge fishing fleet of the 19th century; the largest fishing port in Britain at that time, with more than 300 hundred similar vessels in the port at its peak. It’s said you could cross the harbour from one side to the other by stepping across boat to boat.
PILGRIM is the oldest surviving Brixham built and rigged vessel and one of the last which worked as a trawler during this period. The design and build of “Brixham Trawlers” is widely acclaimed; strong, fast (essential for trawling) and with graceful lines.
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich lists PILGRIM as a “Designated Vessel”; that’s just one category below the endangered list.
By restoring and maintaining her she should be around for another 100 years!
Why is PILGRIM so rare?
Because PILGRIM is the oldest surviving Brixham built and rigged sailing trawler and she trawled as part of the of the huge 19th century fleet. Other examples of his style of vessel are rare.
Brixham’s fishermen had their trawlers built right on the waterfront, with timber from nearby woodlands. They were originally expected to last around 25 years and were not treated to preserve them, regularly bottomed out on the mud at the ebb of the tide and worked very hard and as often as possible. Many were lost at sea in storms whilst fishing, some lost in wartime. Many of those that survived ending up in Scandinavia and used as freighters; like PILGRIM. Most of these have by now succumbed to age, decay and eventual loss.
Why should we restore PILGRIM?
PILGRIM represents a great time in British history; for fishing; for boat building and industrial development; before steam and combustion engines. Just three men and one boy sailed and fished on trawlers like PILGRIM.
Why is PILGRIM so rare?
Because PILGRIM is the oldest surviving Brixham built and rigged sailing trawler and she trawled as part of the of the huge 19th century fleet. Other examples of his style of vessel are rare.
Brixham’s fishermen had their trawlers built right on the waterfront, with timber from nearby woodlands. They were originally expected to last around 25 years and were not treated to preserve them, regularly bottomed out on the mud at the ebb of the tide and worked very hard and as often as possible. Many were lost at sea in storms whilst fishing, some lost in wartime. Many of those that survived ending up in Scandinavia and used as freighters; like PILGRIM. Most of these have by now succumbed to age, decay and eventual loss.
Why should we restore PILGRIM?
PILGRIM represents a great time in British history; for fishing; for boat building and industrial development; before steam and combustion engines. Just three men and one boy sailed and fished on trawlers like PILGRIM.
Visitors will be able to see, feel and taste what it must have been like to be one of those fishermen, to realise something of the hardships in which families lived, facing the cold and wet with little protection from the weather, the danger of going to sea which was necessary if the family were to eat and keep a roof over their heads. The potential loss of trawlers and fishermen was ever present as was the dark shadow of the workhouse and the orphanage for those surviving the loss of husband, father, son or brother.
If PILGRIM is looked after, she could last another 100 years, for many more generations to enjoy and to learn about our past. The chance to feel and taste a dimension of life from another time.
The aim is to restore PILGRIM to as close as possible to her original design and condition but with all the added state of the art safety features of the 21st century. To allow people of the future the chance to visit her, learn about a time of great hardship, of increasing industrial development. A chance to explore, sail, and enjoy her, whatever their on abilities or age.
What will happen to PILGRIM after restoration?
Based in Brixham and regularly visiting other South Devon ports like Dartmouth and Salcombe, it will be possible for everyone to share her significant maritime heritage, to see her at sea, visit her on the quayside, learning to sail or just coming along for the ride.
PILGRIM will also be used for educational programmes in conjunction with other organisations e.g. Brixham Heritage Museum and Schools. Guided tours will be offered and other on board events will also be held.
Based in Brixham and regularly visiting other South Devon ports like Dartmouth and Salcombe, it will be possible for everyone to share her significant maritime heritage, to see her at sea, visit her on the quayside, learning to sail or just coming along for the ride.
PILGRIM will also be used for educational programmes in conjunction with other organisations e.g. Brixham Heritage Museum and Schools. Guided tours will be offered and other on board events will also be held.
There will be a scaled down Beam Trawl for demonstration purposes. Various media will be installed to assist those who may not be able to access the lower deck and there will be provision for those in wheelchairs allowing them the chance to sail and for everyone to enjoy “THE PILGRIM EXPERIENCE – FISHING UNDER SAIL”.
Here are some the intended activities;
Here are some the intended activities;
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educational “hands on” visits by school children,
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sail training, team building,
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guided tours beside the quay,
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sailing trips for those who have no experience
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the chance to learn to sail.
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other training linked to sailing skills.
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a venue for quayside events (receptions, parties, wakes etc)
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part of extended sailing trips
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charters
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respite activities and trips for carers
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Built in the 1800’s, PILGRIM is a link, a real link from the 19th century, right through the 20th century into a regenerated Brixham of the 21st century and with more care and attention its possible she will still be here in the 22nd century.
Who is involved in the restoration?
The original enthusiasts, lead by Bill Wakeham, created a company; “The Pilgrim Preservation Project Company” to fund what was originally envisaged as a self funding group able to restore PILGRIM. A group of supporters, “Friends of Pilgrim” was also formed to help with fundraising. However it became apparent that more significant funding was required, and a charitable trust; “The Pilgrim BM45 Trust Limited” was formed which incorporated the Friends of Pilgrim. The original company changed its constitution so as to be a non profit earning organisation. The new arrangement means that with the added strength of a charitable status, different and important sources of funding can be approached.
Many of the original team has dispersed, sadly some are no longer with us, but many are still involved, providing the much needed drive, hard work and enthusiasm to complete the project. Many are found up their elbows in grime, others beneath mountains of paperwork.
Where is the money coming from?
The original cost of building PILGRIM in 1895 was just short of £640, the amount needed to restore her is in excess of £1.3 million!!
The original cost of building PILGRIM in 1895 was just short of £640, the amount needed to restore her is in excess of £1.3 million!!
The Heritage Lottery Fund has recognised the importance of PILGRIM and we were successful in achieving two grants: £50,000 for a planning project which enabled a full marine survey and reports to prepare a full specification. A further award of £950,000 was made towards the total £1.3 million for the restoration. £60,000 has also been granted from the South Devon Costal Local Action Group. More bids are being made to achieve the final cash injection required.
For the future, daily operations will generate the income to maintain the fabric of the vessel and to provide access to the public.
How can I help?
New people, young, old, of any ability, with or without sailing experience or involvement in boats in any way, are always needed and most welcome. We need to secure this important vessel for years to come and this will require people who can help in lots of different ways: fundraising, cooking, cleaning, office work, marketing, advertising, merchandising, guides, hosting, training, maintenance of the vessel etc etc. So, if this sounds like something you might be interested in, please get in touch.
New people, young, old, of any ability, with or without sailing experience or involvement in boats in any way, are always needed and most welcome. We need to secure this important vessel for years to come and this will require people who can help in lots of different ways: fundraising, cooking, cleaning, office work, marketing, advertising, merchandising, guides, hosting, training, maintenance of the vessel etc etc. So, if this sounds like something you might be interested in, please get in touch.
You can also become a Friend, make a donation to the restoration fund; “buy a plank” or by supporting our events.
You can also help us to raise funding just by shopping! By clicking the link in the margin, you will be taken to a multiple shopping page with such names and E-Bay, Amazon and Argos. Every time you purchase through this page you will bring in funds for the PILGRIM campaign, You may also get a discount so it’s a win win situation for everyone! SHOP NOW
“Pilgrim” - Frequently asked Questions