GOLDEN FLEECE
GOLDEN FLEECE
Years Active: 1910-1990
Vessel Type: 2-masted wooden Schooner
Schooner
Nationality: Falkland Islands
Lost, presumed sunk, in July 1990 whilst being towed in the Falkland Islands. Loaded with a cargo of metal, tins of paint and an upright piano.
Main Use:
Farm Settlement Support
Years Active:
1910-1990
Power:
Sail
Built:
1910
Size:
10.67 x 2.90 x 1.83 metres
(length, breadth, depth) metres
Design/Build:
J. King and Co. at Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex
Main Use: Farm Settlement Support
Built: 1910
Power: Sail
Design/Build: J. King and Co. at Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex
Dimensions: 10.67 x 2.90 x 1.83 metres
The GOLDEN FLEECE spent more than two years in Stanley undergoing repairs. When the work was finished, she was loaded with an upright piano, and a small amount of cargo consisting mainly of various bits of metal and tins of paint. The plan was to tow her to Beaver Island off West Falkland behind the DAMIEN II, an auxiliary Schooner owned by Jerome Poncet. Care was taken to ensure that she floated on an even keel and they left Stanley on 18th July 1990, heading north with Jerome Poncet, Ian Bury and Roddy Napier on board, using two tow-lines. They decided to take a detour to West Point so Roddy Napier could see his old boat. During the night GOLDEN FLEECE was lost, literally. West of the entrance to Salvador Water, on the course between MacBride’s Head and Cape Bougainville. One of the lines had parted and the other pulled so tight it had to be let go. They couldn’t see anything in the dark but remained in the area well into the next day. No sign of the schooner was found.
The GOLDEN FLEECE spent more than two years in Stanley undergoing repairs. When the work was finished, she was loaded with an upright piano, and a small amount of cargo consisting mainly of various bits of metal and tins of paint. The plan was to tow her to Beaver Island off West Falkland behind the DAMIEN II, an auxiliary Schooner owned by Jerome Poncet. Care was taken to ensure that she floated on an even keel and they left Stanley on 18th July 1990, heading north with Jerome Poncet, Ian Bury and Roddy Napier on board, using two tow-lines. They decided to take a detour to West Point so Roddy Napier could see his old boat. During the night GOLDEN FLEECE was lost, literally. West of the entrance to Salvador Water, on the course between MacBride’s Head and Cape Bougainville. One of the lines had parted and the other pulled so tight it had to be let go. They couldn’t see anything in the dark but remained in the area well into the next day. No sign of the schooner was found.
