SHAMROCK, Cotehele's traditional Tamar sailing barge, has been awarded a special prize at the Plymouth Classic Boat Rally, held at Sutton Harbour recently. 

The award, a heavy glass trophy, was presented to Shamrock's ships keeper Shaune Blight and his team of volunteers following their excellent conservation work on this unique and historic craft.

Shamrock was built in 1899 and during her working career carried manure, as well as coal, limestone, sand,produce from the market gardens and fertiliser up and down the River Tamar.

She is the last fully restored and surviving barge of this kind and is enjoying her retirement on National Trust's Cotehele Quay on the River Tamar.

Last winter Shaune and shipwright John Habgood replaced several hull planks on the starboard side and the beam shelf.

Using local larch, this plank was rough cut to shape as much as possible, manhandled on board,roughly positioned in place, steam fitted and finally pushed and manoeuvred into position using props and jacks.

Shaune said: 'It's all about keeping her alive.

'She's not a boat unless she's in the water living. She's the last fully rigged Tamar sailing barge. We're very proud of her.'

He said that receiving the award in Sutton Harbour was an added bonus.

'Sutton Harbour is only a short sail downriver from where she was built at Hawke's Yard in 1899.'

For Shaune, who grew up in Morice Town next to Devonport, working on Shamrock is part of the family tradition. His father taught him how to restore wooden boats, his great-grandfather was a stevedore and waterman and his family has always worked on the river.

The 58ft ketch-rigged barge can be visited in her berth on Cotehele Quay everyday this month, until she heads down the river to the Royal William Yard on 30 August, weather dependent.

Once there, she will take part in the Good Food Market and Plymouth's Marine City Festival, where the public will be able to board her.