Spirit of Mystery

Painting – Oil on Board
60 x 45cm
(Artist’s Private Collection)

The Spirit of Mystery is a replica of the Cornish lugger Mystery which sailed from Newlyn, Cornwall in 1854 arriving in Melbourne on the 14th March 1855 after an 11,800 nautical mile voyage with only a brief break in Cape town. The replica skippered by Pete Goss sailed out of Newlyn harbour in October 2008 arriving in Melbourne on the 9th March 2009.

The painting depicts Spirit of Mystery somewhere in the vast ocean, with her crew enjoying a comfortable sail, in a fresh breeze, with a reefed main, as the sun is setting.

I had initially intended to do a painting of the original Mystery, but had difficulty getting sufficient details on the original vessel, whereas I had the opportunity to visit Spirit of Mystery when she was berthed at Williamstown in Melbourne in March 2009.

Full details on the original and the replica’s voyage can be found on Pete Goss’ website.

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Specifications and details of Spirit of Mystery:

Type: Cornish Sailing Lugger
Designer: Chris Rees
Built: Innsworke Mill Boat Yard, South East Cornwall
Construction: Timber: Frames-cornish oak; Keel, Stem and Stern post – Ekki; Planking-larch.
Crew: Pete Goss, Eliot Goss, Andy Goss Mark Maidment
Length : 37ft
Beam: 11ft 6in
Tonnage: 16 tons
Flag: Cornish