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Please contact us directly if you would like one of our Trustees to visit or be made available for media events. Collectively we have many years of experience in restoration of traditional vessels and internationals sailing and should you want a brief entertaining lecture or a talking head please get in touch and we will be glad to help if at all possible. As a registered charity we would appreciate a token donation for non educational presentations.
Request a visit, presentation or guest lecture
Smack Races - Saturday July 30th - From 9am to 4pm
Vessels Festival - Saturday July 30th - From 10am to 4pm
Join us for a grand day out at the South Pier in Lowestoft to enjoy the Vessels Festival and a unique flotilla of heritage fishing boats (smacks) proving their seafaring skills in a smack race.
The Smack Race is a celebration for the 100th birthday of Excelsior LT472, Lowestoft’s own nationally registered historic ship. A very rare gathering of heritage fishing boats will race off the coast of Lowestoft just as fishing boats did a hundred years ago in a contest of nerve and seamanship. The race itself will be visible from the Ness Point area for those with good telescopes or binoculars, but for an enthusiast's close up view of these beautiful sailing ships as they leave port and re-enter, nothing will beat the views from the South Pier in Lowestoft. At the South Pier, you’ll also have a grand time visiting the Vessels Festival, a maritime themed festival celebrating Lowestoft’s seafaring heritage with food, stalls,
demonstrations and song.
The best part is….it’s all FREE! There are no tickets to buy and no entry fees.
For the latest news and more detailed information, please look to the Vessel’s Festival Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/vesselsfestival
And https://www.facebook.com/ExcelsiorLT472
Please contact marketing@excelsiortrust.co.uk if you wish to be a stall-holder or advertise in the brochure at the Vessels Festival.
The Excelsior Trust wants to give a hearty seafarer’s thanks to our sponsors-
Lowestoft Town Council
Associated British Ports
East Suffolk Council
The Suffolk Coast
THE 2022 ABP EXCELSIOR CENTENARY
SMACK RACE RESULTS
THE SPONSOR’S TROPHY
Awarded by ABP for the First Old Gaffer Association vessel over the line, in recognition of the OGA’s support for this event. Presented by Kate Moran of ABP.
1st The former Zulu RELY of 1911
2nd The Old Gaffer TITCH of 1978
3rd The former Colchester smack TRANSCUR CK 365 of 1889
THE LOWESTOFT SMACK RACE TROPHIES
Open to any former registered sailing fishing vessels. Trophies kindly presented by the Lord Lieutenant, Clare, Countess Euston.
FIRST CLASS SMACKS
For large sailing fishing vessels over 65’, now including Luggers and Drifters.
THE EXCELSIOR TRUST FIRST CLASS SMACK TROPHY for the first large smack over the line went to the former Lowestoft Lugger GLEANER LT 64 of 1874.
THE SILVER BOOT TROPHY for the last large smack over the line went to the former Lowestoft Smack EXCELSIOR LT 472 of 1921.
TOSHERS
For small, decked former sailing fishing vessels, now including Luggers and Drifters.
THE TOSHER TROPHY for the first Tosher over the line went to the former Colchester Smack TRANSCUR CK 365 of 1889.
THE OLD GRIBBLE TROPHY for the last Tosher over the line went to the former Leigh Bawley GLADYS LO 195 of 1904.
BEACHBOATS
For any former open sailing beach boats.
THE BEACHMANS TROPHY for the first Beach Boat over the line: No entrants this year.
THE IRON TOPSAIL TROPHY for the last Beach Boat over the Line was this year warded for the effort made to try to get to the line, which included eleven new planks, went to the former Gt. Yarmouth Shrimper HORACE & HANNAH YH 321 of 1906
OTHER TROPHIES:
THE FORCED DRAUGHT TROPHY for the last vessel home went to the tiny Canoe Yacht KELPIE II of 1902.
THE JERRY CREWS TROPHY for good seamanship in the opinion of the Race Officers went to Spike Davies, skipper of the former Lowestoft Lugger GLEANER LT 64 of 1874.
THE JACK MITCHLEY TROPHY for the most traditionally turned-out former sailing fishing vessel (in the opinion of some outside experts that were called in) went to the former Lowestoft Smack EXCELSIOR LT 472 of 1921.
THE PAT MIDGLEY TROPHY for the most authentically turned-out ‘smacksman’ went to Yvonne Mitchell of the Canoe Yacht KELPIE II of 1902.
THE QUEER FISH TROPHY in the opinion of the organisers this year went to the former Hewett Smack BOY LESLIE LO 392 of 1911 for the great effort in getting here from Norway and almost winning. BOY LESLIE worked out of Lowestoft between the Wars.
Finally, THE RN&SYC TROPHY awarded on behalf of the Club and the Town by his worship the Mayor, Councillor Alan Green, for the vessel that came furthest to support the event went to the former Shetland Herring Boat SWAN LK 243 of 1900
JW 31/7/2022
The Excelsior Trust gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship and support of the following organisations.
Registered Charity Number 285899. Company 01670772 Limited by Guarantee