Anny of Charlestown

Anny of Charlestown in 2021

(credit: Anny's IG channel)

Anny of Charlestown in 2022

(credit: Anny's IG channel)

Anny of Charlestown (on the inside)

As we visited Fowey again the port offered us pontoon no 6 upriver because of approaching bad weather and we accepted. As we rocked up and tied up I saw behind us a lonely looking tall ship, it was Anny of Charlestown. Our pilot told me she was wintering in Fowey as Charlestown's port was having repairs done to their dock gate (they got a fancy pool not affected by tides). After we had made fast I went for a quick shuftie and looking at her rig it became quite obvious that she needs a new one pretty soon if she's to sail anywhere. The bowsprit was about to fall off and the aft main mast is about to keel over. I then had a look on the interwebs and found her mentioned as the flagship of Charlestown. Otherwise on deck she did not look too bad, parts of it looked freshly made and tidy but maybe needing a sanding and fresh coat of oil.

Leaning aft mainmast

"Anny was built in Denmark in 1930 as a fishing vessel, and worked until the 70s, with a period under  German control during WWII. In 1972 she was converted into the topsail schooner she is today. Travelling all over the world, including Australia and the Caribbean, Anny was purchased by Charlestown Harbour in 2019 and sailed back from Germany by the Harbour Team.

She is now the Harbour’s flagship, and following a winter refit, Anny will be back out sailing for the season in mid-2024 when she will be running day sails as well as longer voyages.

Forward, note the stove pipe for a possible wood burner

Vital Stats

Length Overall: 28m

Beam: 4.8m

Draft: 2.8m

Air Draft: 22m

Day sail guest capacity: 12

Residential guest capacity: 8

Crew: 2 to 3

Construction: oak on oak

Please note Anny is due to be recommissioned to Charlestown Harbour at the end of summer 2025."

Credit: charlestownharbour.com

Main entrance

The IG channel has not been active since 2022 and the recommissioning promise for 2025 may mean that times have been lean. The pilot assured me that they have a proper tall ship yard in Charlestown and I can only hope all the best for her future sailings. She has also been recorded with several pictures of her on tallship fan from many years earlier.

Stern overview

Stern

Aft mainmast

Aft steering column

Forward

Sagging bowsprit

Anny of Charlestown on right