Dartmouth is a fortunate town in that there are many occasions when it comes together as a community. The regatta and other festivals occur annually but the blessing and launching of a new racing pilot gig happens only roughly every seven years as an existing boat is retired. On Sunday at the higher slip with the Mayor, vice mayor, Father Will, other worthies and a good sized crowd watching, under leaden hail filled skies “Lightning” was introduced to the world.
She didn’t disappoint, for the price of a saloon car Dart Gig club has acquired for itself a sensational piece of craftsmanship. The interior is varnished as opposed to her predecessor being painted, allowing thirty two feet of immaculate maritime carpentry to be seen, but as a racing machine aesthetics come second to speed so Hunkin of Fowey, her builders, have made alterations to the stretcher design to accommodate the new more powerful rowing technique. But scrutineering of competitive gigs is strict so in almost every regard “Lightning” is the same boat as “Treffry” built in 1838 which set the standard for the pilot gig type, summing up the charm of the sport combining old and new in one beautiful package.
Tara Horwood made a speech before the blessing in particular thanking Liz Moseley the retiring leader of the club for her work over many years. Despite the romance of the launch the endeavour has principally been financial and thanks was given to various funding bodies: The Hanley trust and other local businesses Ribeye, Alfrescos, Owen Malia, Dart marina, Paul Barclay and the Dartmouth Building Company who have joined in the long term money raising effort. During the traditional blessing when water was sprinkled on the boat Father Will drew attention to the miracle of Jesus calming the storm reported in three of the Gospels, the words suited the weather and the nature of the craft being blessed. In addition these wise words suited the process of bringing the Gig to the world which has not been without tensions within the club – but the success of the launch has put all in a rosy harmonious perspective.
In particular the enthusiastic presence of so many junior members of Dart gave a delightful atmosphere to the occasion, Tia, 12, who is the youngest rower remarked that she “can’t wait to start rowing” and that the boat was “very pretty.” Her sister Maisy, 11, not yet old enough to row chipped in “this boat inspires me to start rowing.” Their companions Ollie, Dylan, Izzie, Mary, Finn, Kyle, Emily, Lucas and Sammy were also at the Launch and five of them formed the first crew to row Lightening on the Dart. In the bow as passenger was Kevin Pyne who has helped enormously with fund raising and has a small commemorative plaque in the boat to honour it. This slightly motley crew with a token grown up rowing coxed by Lance Worthington made a stately careful circuit of the river, a modest moment which promises great things for the future.
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