Sussex

Current boat name

Sussex

Boat class

6964

Function

Service

Type

Length (m / ft)

9.3 / 30ft 6in

Beam (m / ft)

1.72 / 5ft 6in

Leeward

Keel

Propulsion

Oar

Date of build

1886

Place of build

Isles of Scilly

Present use

Storage

Built in 1886 from the salvaged material from a vessel of the same name. SUSSEX was built for the men of Bryher for pilot duty and for general purpose work. She was kept on the eastern side of Bryher but was involved in the rescues of the T W LAWSON and the MINIHAHA, and the last rescue by a gig in 1955. Restored in 1968 by Ralph Bird, the following year she was rowed from Scilly to Penzance in record time of 9 hours and 17 minutes. In 1971 she was badly damaged in a gale.: wreckage as bought by Ralph Bird who carried out a full restoration. No longer competetive placed in store near Padstow 2004. Since the death of Ralph Bird she has returned to Scilly to be looked after by a Trust. January 2011