This pilot cutter "Talubrah" was built by the wooden boat builder Luke Powell at Gweek. It took him about 20 months and was launched into the creek at Gweek for her maiden voyage.

The pictures show her leaving the Helford under reefed sail in a strong northerly on her way to Falmouth to be handed over to her new owners.

She made a fine sight sailing passed the modern ships. the old and the new, hard on the wind on a sunny cold evening.

These boats where originally designed to race out to in coming square riggers arriving from around the world and the first there got the business of the ships, piloting them into the port.

Some where known to sail 100 miles out to assure they got the job. Usually sailed by three the skipper got off to pilot larger boat vessel into porrt and left the mate and one crew, usually a boy, to bring the cutter back.

This is a replica built completely as they were 100 years ago and is now in the yacht haven in Falmouth harbour.

On sea trials the cutter reached 9.6 knots, said to be quick for this type of vessel. The sails are by Patrick Selman, a classic sailmaker.

5:48pm Monday 14th April 2008

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