** update: now available, click here **
It is time I think that I talked about one of the projects on which I am working… nothing to do with riding bikes in strange places but rather a story about boats. I was lucky enough to grow up in a tiny little Cornish seaside hamlet called Portmellon. I spent my childhood playing among the piles of sawdust and woodshavings in Mitchell’s boatyard there. Good fortune meant that I became a part of that boat-building family when I was just 7 years old. Good fortune also meant that somehow I avoided losing limbs or decapitating myself on the giant saws and other machinery as I built a never ending stream of model boats when the yard was quiet. Now, my step grandfather was a quite famous boat-builder.. a true craftsman. I never knew him sadly but he did leave a biography which was briefly in print in 1968 and is now quite sought after, along with his boats, in the classic boat world. The plan is to get that biography back in print.. it is an important piece of local history as well as a fascinating read. I have a lot of work ahead of me.. 3 boxes of wonderful photographs from the yard going back to the early 20th century, many of them in need of careful restoration. I also plan to introduce an update to the story of the yard. The yard itself closed in 1983 due to the economics of wooden boat building but my stepdad, Gary, is also very well known in the marine world, not as a builder but as a designer, his boats can be found in harbours all over the world.
By way of an introduction the text on the back of the original reads as follows…
“To have a First Class Fishing Boat, you have to have a First Class Boat Builder.’ Percy Mitchell of Portmellon (born 1901) was that man. He was described by Dr Claud Worth, an eminent yacht designer, as “an artist in wood”, and by Commander W B Luard as “one of the finest traditional boat builders in the world”. He is described as a deeply religious man, who never railed against setbacks, but ruggedly persevered, believing that character is shaped and moulded by trials and difficulties. Almost entirely self-taught, his first commission was the Ibis, a Cornish Fishing Lugger, built on traditional fishing hull lines. At 42′ in length, 13′ beam, and 6′ draft (7′ with her working gear onboard) she was one of the biggest Luggers working from Mevagissey for many years, and her catch numbers were legendary. The Ibis is the holder of two fishing records – the largest catch of pilchard ever landed by a Cornish Drift Netter (2346 Stone) & the largest catch of turbot, long-line caught, from the Ray Pitts (English Channel) in July 1952 (896 Stone). In his autobiography, ‘A Boatbuilder’s Story’ Percy Mitchell’s account of the Ibis being built and launched is remarkable. His simple yet moving story is of a struggle against odds to ultimate success and fame. Illustrated with a wealth of photographs and many line drawings.”
I am very excited about this project so do stay tuned for progress, it will be a fascinating read whether you’re interested in classic boats or not.
I am also working on a second book with a street photography flavour.. but I’ll ramble on about that another time :-)
Mike- you doing a self published small run book? we did one last year and quality was sensational. On a different subject – pedals fell apart today and had to do 45k on one leg and a shaft. Now on m520 as advised by Mr Imagination. I like them already – twice the uk price here but oh well.
yeah, got two on the go now.. the Boatbuilders story and a round up of street photography from South America… may do another for the Himalayas if this works out..
45k with one pedal, oh, reminds me of my bike I had when I was 10, the pedals broke and rode around on the shafts… wouldn’t want to go 45km like that, hehe. Glad you are sorted :-) back to the book, I’ll email you on that if I may, I have a couple of q’s..!
Mike – just checking you have my gmail email?
Warren
oh no I don’t, there are a few emails sent to your f2s mail…
Hello, my name is Emily Mitchell and I am Percy Mitchell’s granddaughter does anyone know where I can find his book? I have been searching for a while and can’t find one anywhere! Please help!!
oh hello, Gary should be bringing Ralph up to speed with what we’re doing with the new edition…. The original book is ultra-rare – I have a copy as does Gary (my stepdad). If you can find one it’s likely to be expensive but the re-release should be available by the end of the year if you can wait that long. The text will be original but some of the photo content will be expanded – more pictures although a couple that are in the original will not appear due to copyright issues.
I grew up in Portmellon for the first 10 years of my life and walked past Percy Mitchell’s shipyard nearly every day. Of course did not realize that he was such a legend at that time! I have recently been trying to find his book and when in Cornwall recently did find one in a used book shop in Truro on Kenwyn Street. Unfortunately it was 110 pounds. I have also seen it on the internet (Amazon I think) for the same price. Hope you have success in finding one. Pam Urquhart, Toronto
Oh! I just relized who you are!! You have a twin brother right? God, I was like 5 when I saw you last! I think it’s great what you are planning to do! I’ll have to get a copy of your version at least it won’t break the bank! I’ll have to translate it into French for my friends, that would be an interesting project. You’ll have to inform me when you are finished and ready to print!
hehehe, yes I remember you. It’s nice to hear from you :-)
I’m working in the Hebrides this summer but the book should be ready, I hope, by the end of the year.. stay tuned!
cheero
mike
Hi
I’ve been looking for photos of one of the boats your stepdad Gary launched in the bay in the 80s maybe 90s and came across your site…great stuff.
My family have been going to Portmellon since I was 2years old…..I’m 46 now !!
Your Dad would remember my parents Isabel & Andrew Barclay.
Keep up the good work, it’s great reading all the history about things you know about.
Katrina Barclay
hey, thanks for your message. I’ll mention you to Gary.
Sorry the book is taking so long, it’s still happening, just slowly…!
cheero
m
Hi, just came across your page, I am a wooden boatbuilder in Fowey, with a copy of Percys book! brilliant book, every wooden boat owner should be made to read the book, let me know when reprint done, Ihave a 18ft PM tosher for restoration.
cheers
Marcus Lewis
hey Marcus, great to hear from you. Gary is in the process of writing a new chapter for the book at the moment, as soon as that’s done and I have the text I’ll start putting the book together so indeed I will let you know when done.
cheero!
Mike
Did you pick me up at Constance recently on myway from Gweek to F’mouth & we were talking about boatbuilding from your family in Portmellon?
Is your book published yet?
Uli, Bremen
Hi
My wife has just gave me a copy of the new release, very interesting indeed more so due to the fact that we currently own the “Signet” built by Percy Mitchel in 1962. I am pleased to see there is a picture of her in the book.
We are currntly restoring her back to a cabin cruiser as she was converted to a motor sailer during her life, a well built and fantastic looking boat.
best regards
Alan
Hi Alan, great, thanks for writing. I forwarded your comment on to Gary also.
All the best for the new year!
Many thanks for you reply, best regards and a happy newyear to all.
Alan
Hi Mike
Hope you are well, I have a couple of questions about “Signet” which i wondered if Garry could help answer. Do you have an e-mail address for him?.
Best Regards
Alan
Hi Alan, thanks for your message, I’ve passed your details on so he should be in touch shortly!
Hi Mike
Thanks very much.
Best Regards
Alan
Hi Mike,
I’ve just happened upon your site and your plans to republish”A Boatbuilder’s Story”. I am lucky enough to have a copy of the original book and it is filled with nostalgia for me. In particular, it shows, on page 39, the launching of my grandfather’s tosher “Cheerio”. My father sold the boat in 1967 or ’68 not long after granddad’s death. It was still the “Cheerio” and I think its registration was something like FY346. I have no idea who bought it or what became of it. Maybe someone reading this may know. I also wondered whether or not you found any other pictures of “Cheerio” in the pile you found.
Keep up your good work.
Mike
thanks for writing Mike, it’s always great to hear. I can’t remember if there were other pictures of Cheerio, I’ll check when I get back from India.
cheero!