Bridgwater ship will sail to Brazil (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Bridgwater ship will sail to Brazil

7:30am Friday 10th February 2012 in Bridgwater Area News

A SHIP which was built in Bridgwater more than a century ago is due to set sail across the Atlantic Ocean today (Tuesday, February 14) to highlight the issue of fair trade.

The Irene will be part of an international team known as the New Dawn Traders and will travel to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil as part of the crossing.

The venture has been organised by the ship's owner Dr Leslie Morrish and Irene, which was built in 1907, has been moored in Plymouth ahead of today's departure date.

Dr Lucy Gilliam, a research biologist and tall Ship enthusiast from Ilminster, will be among the crew taking part in the sail.

She said: “I'm really excited. I've never done anything like this before. We plan to promote fair trade, have a sailing adventure, make new friends and see some amazing sites.”

Irene will travel to France to deliver beer made by a microbrewery in Exeter. From there she will pick up a cargo of olive oil in Spain, which will be delivered to Brazil, via the Caribbean.

The ship had sailed for 50 years as part of the fleet of British merchant vessels through two world wars. She retired from her trading service in 1960 and was bought by Dr Morrish in 1965, in a derelict state, for £2,500.

She has since been restored to her former glory she has been used for commercials and films and has previously crossed the Atlantic twice, along different routes.

Dr Gilliam will be blogging a day-by-day account of Irene's voyage.

She said: “I know the part Irene plays in the history of Bridgwater and the affection in which she is held. I am sure the story of this voyage will be read with interest.”

* To read the blog, visit http://lucyandthenewdawntraders.com