Worksop puts wind in square rigger's sails

A UK steel galvanising company is playing a key role in a remarkable project to transform a 35m former arctic trawler into a stylish three-masted sailing vessel.

A UK steel galvanising company, based in a county more often associated with Robin Hood's wooden bows and arrows than metal ships, is playing a key role in a remarkable project to transform a 35m former arctic trawler into a stylish three-masted sailing vessel.

Worksop Galvanizing, which is based near Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, was contracted to galvanise the steel masts for the 360t "square rigger", named the Pelican.

She will be used principally as a long-haul sailing training ship for 32 young people per voyage, but also for private charter and even corporate hospitality events for up to 250 people.

Designed and fabricated by high-mast lighting specialists, CU Phosco Lighting of Cleckheaton, the three masts measure 27, 21 and 20m, and these are bolted to flanges on three lower or "stump" masts (4.15, 5 and 2.7m, respectively) welded into the hull of the ship.

All the mast sections were galvanised and transported to the ship at Portland, Dorset - before being painted - for maximum durability.

Owing to the unrivalled protection provided by the galvanising, it is estimated that the masts will have a working life in excess of 40 years.

The project is the creation of former Royal Navy officer, Commander Graham Neilson who, after retiring from the navy, successfully converted a similar vessel - the brig Astrid - into a sailing ship for youth development.

The Astrid completed seven years of transatlantic voyages before Commander Neilson began the Pelican project in 1995.

Commander Neilson explained: "The inspiration for the unique rig of the Pelican was the corsair of the Mediterranean between the 17th and 19th centuries called a 'Chebec', whose masts were straight 'poles'.

No ship has since had such masts, which are essential for the extreme bracing angles we will use.

Thanks to modern technology the rig is completely new and will enable the ship to go to windward like no other square rigger".

He adds: "All the masts have now been fitted and the whole ship looks sharp and efficient.

We now have seven people working on this project and the hull is virtually completed so we are approximately 12 months away from certification for worldwide operation".

Worksop Galvanizing - part of the UK-wide Wedge Group, whose member companies specialise in all aspects of galvanising work, from heavy industrial and construction applications to safety barriers, ornamental steel structures and small artworks - was selected for the Pelican because of its unrivalled lifting and galvanising capacity.

The company is able to handle exceptionally heavy and large components, such as the Pelican's masts, and galvanise them in a single operation.

This enables its customers to manufacturer products with fewer components for maximum cost-efficiency and speedier erection on-site.

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