Gypsy Moth IV in its Greenwich dry dock
Monday, 28 May 2007 19:29
Gypsy Moth IV in its Greenwich dry dock
Thousands of people watched the Gypsy Moth IV yacht return from its second circumnavigation of the world at Plymouth this afternoon.
The 53-foot yacht was originally the vessel used on Sir Francis Chichester's 1967 trip around the world – the first solo circumnavigation taking in the Capes of Hope, Leeuwin and Horn.
After languishing in a dry dock at Greenwich next to the Cutty Sark, the yacht was bought for £1 and a gin and tonic by the UK Sailing Academy.
Teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds accompanied veteran sailors on the yachts second trip, which began in September 2005 and drew to a close today.
After being accompanied into Plymouth by a flotilla of small craft the Gypsy Moth IV docked at West Hoe Pier, as it did exactly 40 years ago, to complete its journey round the world.
One of the participating teenagers, 18-year-old Kerry Prideaux from Devon, told BBC News the experience had been "just incredible".
"We've had some pretty nasty weather out there, but then we've had some beautiful things to see," she said.
Sir Francis was later knighted for his achievement and died in 1972.