Mounts Bay Lugger Association Sailing Happy Return a Cornish Lugger.

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Mounts Bay Lugger Association Sailing Happy Return a Cornish Lugger.

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A mounts bay pilchard driver built in Porthleven 1905, member of Dunkirk small ship’s association. She is aptly named the Happy Return!

This is an ongoing project about this lugger and luggers from Cornwall. There will be new articles on the website and photographs and indeed corrections from time to time; if you have any comments or possible interesting inclusions we would be most grateful if you could please contact us. Included on our website is an archive of other historic fishing sailing luggers from West Cornwall including those that exist today. Help in the preservation and history of these unique craft by joining the Mounts Bay Lugger Association and safeguard an unique heritage. The Mounts Bay Lugger Association's goal to own and operate a Mounts Bay Lugger was conceived in the Spring of 1993 by a small group of local enthusiasts with a strong interest in the part the fishing industry has played in the economic and social life of the far South West of Cornwall. For hundreds of years, fishing has been one of the main activities in Mounts Bay and was of primary importance in the origin of the harbours of Penzance, Mousehole, Newlyn and Porthleven. A particular type of vessel evolved during that period which was unique to this part of the world. Very little remains of the vast sailing fleets which filled the local harbours and sailed the seas following shoals of pilchard and herring until the early part of the twentieth century. Mounts Bay has a special place in the fishing history of Britain which is retained to this day, with their fine boats being copied and exported to many parts of Britain and beyond. Also historically Newlyn has landed the highest value of fish annually in the UK with its fine ships and abundant waters. Despite many set backs the Mounts Bay Lugger Association found an original 40' Cornish lugger in Folkstone which had been built in 1904 at Kitto's Yard, Porthleven in Mounts Bay. It was the oldest registered fishing boat when the owner decommissioned her in 1998. The Association saved her from being broken up under the decommissioning policy and she was brought back to Mounts Bay under her own power in May 1998 and was the subject of a total restoration. Learn about her history and follow her progress on our website. We will outline the aims and objectives of the Association with the Happy Return and will ultimately incorporate a definitive archive on these unique vessels as well as our sailing schedules and ideas for young people and the local community to become involved in experiencing the methods of the folk who worked the sailing luggers of bygone years in Cornwall.

08/11/2026

On Remembrance Day we take time to remember and give thanks for the sacrifices made by our forces over many generations and conflicts.
Our 1905 Happy Return FE5 paid her own part in our WW2 struggles. Taking part in Operation Cycle 10th-13th June 1940 recovering troops from Le Harve as part of the larger and well known Dunkirk Operation Dynamo

07/11/2026

Thanks to Penlee lifeboat for a very enjoyable visit to the station and boat today from members of the Mounts bay Lugger Association and Cornish Maritime Trust
The Cornish Maritime Trust
Penlee Lifeboat

31/10/2026

David Keast has put together a short film on some of the work completed on Happy Return this year.
This gives some idea what it takes for a small charity to run a 121year old historic ship.
Sandy Cove Boatyard
Gweek Classic Boatyard
National Historic Ships UK

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

20/10/2026

Today the Happy Return dried her large mizzen and then left the North Arm for her winter birth in Penzance wet dock. Sails will now be checked over then stored ready for next year.

18/10/2026

An early start this morning made for a beautiful sail in good winds.
Most probably our last for this season but we will be back next year with over 50 sailing events on Happy Return and a similar amount on our little Mispah.
If you like to sail or learn to , go to
www.happyreturn.org to join

16/10/2026

This is the Porthleven built “Hope of Porthleven” a registered national historic ship.
Built in Bowdens yard and launched in 1906 originally as a dipping lug. She is currently in a mud birth on the Medway and looking for a new owner who will cherish her as her present owner does and ensure that she continues her long life. A full up to date survey is available.
Please contact this page for further information.
National Historic Ships UK
The Cornish Maritime Trust

11/10/2026

Pictures from Rob Macdowell aboard Barnabas of Happy Return on yesterdays sail.
A brilliant afternoon with a good wind and good company.
Red sails in the bay
National Historic Ships UK
The Cornish Maritime Trust

Address

Mounts Bay Lugger Association
Penzance

Website

http://www.happyreturn.org/

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