Trafalgar boat's visit
THE spirit of an Ilfracombe sea captain renowned for bringing news of victory at Trafalgar back to England could be smiling this August as a replica of his famous ship returns to the town of his birth.
Lieutenant John Richard Lapenotiere commanded the fast schooner HMS Pickle during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and was ordered back to London with news of the triumph against Napoleon's fleet and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson.
To commemorate the 200th anniversary and the voyage of a man born in Ilfracombe in 1770, a replica Pickle will be calling at ports throughout the year in a tour organised by charity sailing organisation Ocean Youth Trust East.
According to a tour website -www.hmspickle.org.uk - the ship will be arriving in Ilfracombe on Wednesday, August 10, although it is unclear whether it will dock or anchor offshore.
Former Ilfracombe Mayor Cllr Paul Crabb has been working with others behind the scenes in an attempt to bring Pickle to town.
"We are immensely proud that after a lot of hard work this vessel with its strong connection to Ilfracombe will hopefully be here in the harbour to remind us of this important anniversary," he said.
"This is another event to be planned and organised by many people, as part of our Sea Britain 2005 celebrations."
The Ilfracombe Sea Britain week runs from July 16 to 24, kicking off on the first and second days with Offshore Circuit Powerboat Boat Racing and the Thundercat Grand Prix.
This exciting event has returned for a third year and offers a chance to watch frantic white water racing and acrobat displays, as well as observe crews in the pits and soak up race atmosphere.
On July 23 the Inaugural Around Lundy Race organised by Ilfracombe Yacht Club will be open to all, with several different boat classes and prizes on offer. It will be followed the next day by a Parade of Sail from the harbour. Other events include an open canoeing day on July 23, plus various displays and exhibitions around the town.
Ilfracombe Museum will be staging a display about the life of Lt Lapenotiere:
"We are hoping some of his relatives from Canada will be visiting us during the summer, as they want to see where he was born," said Sue Pullen at the museum.
It actually took Lapenotiere nine days to reach Falmouth, as the Pickle was battered by a sudden storm. The journey to London should have taken a week, but 37 hours and £49 later - the equivalent of thousands today - he arrived at the Admiralty.
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