** update: now available, click here **
Time for a long overdue update on ‘A Boatbuilder’s Story‘.. it’s been taking a lot longer than expected.. it took a bit of a back seat recently as I’ve become increasingly busy with my business.. a good thing, and when not working just plain guilty of spending a lot of time out on my bike or out on the water.. I call it “thinking time’. However.. the text is now done.. that is the original text from the first edition is now transcribed and ready to use. The photos are just about ready.. Gary, my stepdad and son of Percy Mitchell is writing a further chapter as an addendum to the book that will follow on with some of the history of the boatyard, picking up where the original book left off in 1966.
We’ve not been able to find all of the original pictures used but in their place there are a number of others, all interesting, that were never published so we shall use those. I also wanted to include the wonderful photo of the yacht Windstar, built by Percy, under sail which appears in the original… that photo was taken by Beken of Cowes in the early 50’s .. the family had permission to reproduce it in that in first edition, as well as a couple of lovely signed prints but the current generation of Beken won’t allow it to appear in this second edition without payment of a not insignificant fee which, while fair enough, right now is unaffordable. However there are lots of other interesting pictures to reproduce so while shame it’s not the end of the world.
So 2013 should be the year that A Boatbuilder’s Story becomes available once again. Stay tuned, and sorry it’s taking so long..!
Hello,
I’m thrilled to hear that you’re trying to reissue this book. I’m a graphic designer from Cornwall (and an avid cyclist from boatbuilding stock too!) who is now based in Bristol. I specialise in book design and would love to offer my services to help realise getting it published again. I’d work for no fee if it meant getting this wonderful book back into print. I can also advise on possible funding sources.
Please get in touch if you’d be interested in working with me. I’m happy to send you some samples of books that I’ve designed and had published.
Merry Christmas!
hey, thanks for your kind offer, much appreciated however my sister, well half sister I suppose and Percy’s grand-daughter is a graphic designer and will be doing the cover. Once again tho, thanks!
cheero
mike
Hi –
I run Intheboatshed.net, a popular weblog that tries to carry as much material about traditional craft as possible. I’m delighted to hear the book’s being re-published and look forward to reading it at some point. In the meantime, though, I’d like to write a post directing my readers to this website. In doing this, may I uswe one or two of your images please? I can be reached at gmatkin@gmail.com .
Gavin
Hey Gavin, great to hear from you.. I’ve sent you an email.
cheero!
Mike
I’m looking forward to the book being published. I have a copy of the original which I really enjoyed – I sought it out after buying our wooden gaffer which was built in Mevagissey to a ‘Mitchell’ (first name not specified) design in 1985. It would be great if there was a way to identify whether she is a Percy or Gary Mitchell design.
Hi Mike, stay tuned I’ve asked Gary. As for the book, it’s coming along, Gary has finished the new section for the post Percy years, i’m proofing at the mo.
Thanks Mike! If it helps, there are loads of pictures here:
http://www.boatshed.com/31_gaff_cutter-boat-23625.html?boat=23625
http://www.easternyachts.com/wendydee/index.htm
oh I remember her from growing up down in the yard. I’m speaking to Gary this evening anyway so I’ll ask.
I should have also said, she was built by Tom Dudley and presumably named after his wife (Wendy Dee, D for Dudley I guess), better know for building rowing gigs I think.
Hi Mike, just to confirm that Gary did the drawings for the Wendy Dee.
cheero
M
Thanks Mike! She’s a beautiful little ship.
Hello Mike, I knew the shipyard well when living at “Seagulls” at the top of Portmellon Hill from 1940 to 1945. I got much of the wood from Percy to build my “dilly cart” and Phil Cloke cut the four wheels for me. I “crewed” on the Ibis during the school holidays (see “A Memorable Night at Sea”) and helped the Lakeman brothers offload and mend gear. I am looking forward to getting a copy of “A Boatbuilder’s Story” when it is published.
Cheers, Ed Boddaert
Hey Ed, it’s great to hear from you and a fantastic bit of history. I grew up playing in the yard and building my model boats and stuff in the sheds, altho not quite so long ago, so it struck a chord. The books is coming along, albeit slowly..!
cheero
m
Hi Mike,
I’ve been trying unsuccesfully to track down a copy of A Boatbuilders Story for my Dad for ages, so i am really happy that a new edition is nearly there. Not sure if you’re able to say, or whether i just need to wait until the book is for sale but…… There is a photo in the original edition of a boat named ‘Peter and John’ , named after my Dad and his brother (my uncle, I guess!) a boat from the Stephens boatbuilders in Polruan. Will this photo be in the new edition? Would it be possible to get a copy of it, if you have it? My dad remembers being in the bow of the boat as it was launched…being able to get him it would absolutely make him over the moon. Email at hpwhite.helen@gmail.com if prefer.
I should also say…really glad I started following your blog…my bit of escapism…
Thanks.
Helen
Hi Helen, thanks for your comment and thanks for reading :-).. are you sure about your information… there is no boat of that name in the original issue, and the boat builders in Polruan are/were C.Toms & Son rather than Stephens…to best of mine and Gary’s knowledge anyhow…
cheero!
Mike
Thanks for replying, Mike. Stephens boatbuilders were forced to close in approx 1951 as Albert Stephens, the ‘actual’ boatbuilder died suddenly. Toms’ yard was then the main one left, with it being the surviving one to present time. Will check the name of the boat though …and that my Dad hasn’t get his wires crossed, which is possible…….and, it appears, probable…..
H
Please would you put me in touch with Gary Mitchell,as we own a Percy Mitchell motor-cruiser(the last one he built)..& would like to discuss it! Thank you..
Hi, sure, I’ve passed your message on. He’s on holiday at the moment but will be in touch dreckly :-)
Hi Gary, A voice from your past I’m David Wilmot we shared a room at mrs Gillets guest house the the mid sixties!!!! I worked as a mental welfare officer. So splendid to hear of your book. I live in the wilds of Norfolk. Best wishes and great memories of the Lettermen and times with Pauline. Very best wishes
hey, thanks for writing, I’ve passed your comment on!
I have a book” A boatbuilder’s Story by Percy Mitchell of Portmellon. It is signed by Percy Mitchell and dated 1968. Written in the back , 16 sketches and 107 photographs. I believe in the same hand writing, but in pencil.
My husband died recently and this was in with his papers.
Lovely, that’s the original (I have one also) which was published in very limited numbers. The text of that is in the reissue, with more photos and an addendum by Gary, Percy’s son. Your copy is quite collectable I think.
Hi Mike, I was going through some books of my husband , he died last year. He was very interested in anything to do with the sea. A member of B.S.A C, for many years. He also helped bring up The Girl Rona. He ended up fishing from his own boat, a Rodman.
The book I found is indeed A BOATBUILDERS STORY signed and dated by Percy 1968. I do not know what to do with it. I also found two other books. Harvey’s ,Hayle Foundry Catologue 1884 in almost mint condition and Harveys 200 years of trading dated 1979. Have you any ideas who would be interred in them.
Regards Wendy.
Hi Wendy, thanks for writing, I’m sorry to hear about your husband. If you have a signed copy of the original you could perhaps try eBay. There is a large community of folk who would very much appreciate that book.. it’s a question of finding them. An alternative might be to find a rare book seller and see if they’re interested.
Hope that helps, a little..!
cheero
Mike
Re the TORBAY BELLE (Yard No. 73/ 1935) I am trying to find a record showing her change of name from KING GEORGE (as launched) to TORBAY BELLE. As she was built specifically for her owner’s proposed Torbay-Dart service, it seems odd that she should have been launched with the KING GEORGE name.
If you or anyone can help, please contact me.
THANK YOU
RICHARD (Isle of Man)
I’ll ask…
Thank you, it would be really good to know the thinking behind the change of name.
I would have loved to have been there all those years ago to witness her launching – all 72 feet of her- up and over the sea wall.
Let’s hope someone knows the answer to the name change question.
THANK YOU
RICHARD
I spoke to Gary, he thinks, from dim and distant memory, that it was because there was another vessel with the name of King George. Watching that launch would have been fantastic. I used to love it as a kid watching the ‘normal-size’ boats be sent off down the slipway.
Thank you and Gary very much for this information.
I do not think TORBAY BELLE was ever registered as KING GEORGE even though she was launched bearing that name; looking at the photos in “A Boatbuilders Story” of which I have a copy.
Have the order and building records of the yard and this vessel in particular survived, does anyone know please?
THANK YOU
RICHARD
Hi Richard apologies for the delayed reply, I’ve checked and no, there are no surviving records from the yard.
Dear Mike
Thank you for looking into the matter of any surviving records for Percy Mitchell’s boatyard.
It’s a pity none exist but at least we tried.
Best wishes
Richard Danielson