Historic coastal sailing sloop named awards runner-up

The Spider T, built at Warrens Shipyard, New Holland, originally plied the East Coast and inland waterways of Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire carrying loads of brick, grain and other cargoes.

Now based at Keadby, she has been lovingly restored by Mal Nicholson, who acquired the vessel in 1994 from the Yorkshire Waterways Museum in Goole.

The ship gained the runners-up slot in the National Historic Ships flagship of the year 2011 rankings – the maritime equivalent to the National Trust – finishing above other historic vessels including the last remaining sea-going paddle steamer Waverley.

But the sloop was unable to wrest the top spot from the Lerwick based Shetland Fifie fishing vessel, Swan.

The director of National Historic Ships heritage body, Martyn Heighton, said: “The quality of entries has gone from strength to strength, making the decision as to which is the winning vessel very difficult.

“After much deliberation the accolade has been given to Swan with Spider T a very strong runner-up.”

Spider T plans to sail to Scotland for festivities connected with the 200th anniversary of the Bell Rock lighthouse in August and the accolade included £250 towards promotion of the Spider T and National Historic Ships.

“It is a great accolade for the vessel and everyone interested in her”, said Mr Nicholson.

“It demonstrates her pedigree. She is like a grade I listed building being part of the National Historic Fleet.”