A Sail with a Tale

On searching for an old canvas sail on which to paint, I came across the sail in a shed in Essex,  near to where I made that first dinghy, with my father fifty years ago.

I first thought that this red-brown sail was from a familiar Maldon barge, but on further investigation discovered that the origin of this sail had a far more romantic history and was from The Angele Aline.

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Launched in 1921, this fishing ketch was to be a fortunate ship, destined to have a dramatic life. In her youth, she sailed around Newfoundland and later, was part of the Dunkirk Evacuation, rescuing three hundred and fifty men. 

Although, sunk twice and used as a blockade ship during the war, the Angele Aline went on to take part in the Tall Ship races and won prizes.

Lovingly restored by several owners, she was lived in as a home and traveled the world. She is still sailing today.

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This sail is even older, used originally on a larger boat, it was repaired & re-purposed by hand for the Angel Aline. The splicing method used pre-dates 1900, maybe done by an elder bosun on the crew. The colour is residue from the tar preservative used.

You can almost smell the history in its canvas.