SC 26, an ex Royal Navy steam cutter that saw action at the Battle of Jutland aboard the cruiser HMS Falmouth, floated in the waters of Falmouth Harbour for the first time in more than 100 years when she was launched at Ponsharden last week.

Greeting her were the team of enthusiasts who hope to restore the dapper vessel to her former glory.

Peter Visick, Christopher Perkins, Robin Taylor and Tim Parr are now on a mission to complete the restoration and give the cutter a permanent home in the port.

On hand for the launch was Bernie Bagley, managing director of Falmouth Boat Construction, and his team. SC 26 naturally took on some water once afloat but she was soon whisked off to the Falmouth Boat Construction yard at Little Falmouth, Flushing, where she will be fully restored.

Now the enthusiasts have to raise funds for the project. A trust has been acquired and, in due course, a website will be established to enable people to keep an eye on the restoration as it progresses in the Flushing yard.

The plan is to make SC 26 fully operational by mid 2014, the 100th anniversary of the commencement of the World War I.

Running in tandem with the repair and restoration work will be the building of a steam engine to power the craft.

The original steam engine is in a very poor state but has been dismantled with patterns of all components made and new castings obtained. Work has started on rebuilding the new engine.

The boiler is beyond repair but drawings exist, and quotations for a new boiler are being obtained.

Once operational it is hoped that the vessel will be regularly steamed around Falmouth Harbour in the summer months so that the public can see an historic vessel of this type, and take trips on her.

She will also be available for charter and it is hoped to use her for training.

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