The Voyages of the ‘Ole Crumlin-Pedersen’: A Story in Pictures
In 1992 a Bronze Age boat was found during construction of an underpass in Dover. Waterlogging had preserved the wood, which was excavated in sections, although one end could not be brought out of the ground. Dated to 1550BC and one of the oldest sea-going boats in the world, a recent European project has centred on study of the vessel.
A half size replica was built, to further understanding of the maritime tradition of this period. It has been sailing the seas and inland water over the last two years and has been the focal point of academic conferences and publications, blogs, television appearances and newspaper articles.
Here is the story, in pictures, of a beautiful craft.
January-May 2012
Richard Darrah, Robin Wood and the boat construction team worked on the replica reconstruction on the Roman Lawn outside Dover Museum. Bad weather, open days, TV filming, visiting dignitaries, all conspired to slow work down, despite the team working long, long hours. They were still working on finishing the boat an hour before its scheduled launch in front of all the international 'BOAT 1550 BC' team, press, TV crews and general public.
12 May 2012
The boat was launched in Dover Marina; it took on water and the launch was abandoned.
June 2012-June 2013
On display at the exhibition in France and Belgium
August 2013
Richard Darrah, Robin Wood and team completely disassembled, recaulked and re-assembled the replica boat.
4 September 2013
First launch of the recaulked boat in Faversham Creek on a sunny, calm day. Robin Wood jumped from the boat into the creek in relief that the boat worked so well!
5 September 2013
More trials on Faversham Creek
7 September 2013
The first sailing in Dover Harbour in fairly rough, windy weather with Phil Harding amongst the crew. The boat handled beautifully, riding big swells coming off the English Channel with ease!
8 September 2013
More trials in Dover Harbour, still rough and a bit hairy, this time with Keith and Tina Parfitt as crew members.
20 October 2013
Conference delegates from France, Belgium & the UK help paddle the boat in Dover Marina during the 'Yesterday Today' conference
4 May 2014 onwards
Regular weekly Sunday morning training commenced in the boat by the volunteer crew.
17 May 2014
Appears at Dover Marina Open Day: members of the public are taken on short tours of the Marina
20 May 2014
On show at Dover Harbour Board AGM
12-13 July 2014
Appears at Faversham Nautical Festival: members of the public are taken on short tours on Faversham Creek
26 July 2014
Appears at Dover Regatta
17 August 2014
Dover Harbour; 2.5 Nautical Miles (2.9 Statute Miles); Average Speed 1.7 knots; maximum speed 3.4 knots.
31 August 2014
Dover Harbour; 5.4 Nautical Miles (6.2 Statute Miles); Average Speed 2.5 knots; maximum speed 3.1 knots.
24 August 2014
Dover Harbour; 3.5 Nautical Miles (4 Statute Miles); Average Speed 2.2 knots; maximum speed 3.1 knots.
31 August 2014
Dover Harbour; 3.2 Nautical Miles (3.7 Statute Miles); Average Speed 1.5 knots; maximum speed 4.4 knots. Very rough sea conditions in the harbour with northerly wind gusting 25-30 knots and an ebb tide making it very difficult to return to the mooring.
7 September 2014
Folkestone to Dover; 8.2 Nautical Miles (9.4 Statute Miles); Average Speed 2.9 knots; maximum speed 6.4 knots. A beautiful calm sunny day, with the sea as flat as a mill pond.
27 September 2014
Great River Race, London; 19.1 Nautical Miles (22 Statute Miles); Average Speed 4 knots; maximum speed 7.8 knots. A trophy for Sporting Endeavour was awarded to the crew.