The Cornish Maritime Trust will launch a book on the Barnabas, a St Ives mackerel driver, at the Meudon Hotel, Mawnan Smith on February 24.

The author of this publication, Sue McNab (above), lives in Mousehole and Dublin, where she is a lecturer. She has been a trustee of the Cornish Maritime Trust since 2003.

This is a story about Barnabas, a historic Cornish dipping lugger that worked out of St Ives, her home port, from when she was built in 1881.

She was part of the great fleet of Cornish vessels that worked under sail in the heyday of fishing for mackerel, herring and pilchards. It tells of her place in Cornwall's historic fishing industry.

It also describes her recent major restoration, funded by an award from the HLF, and how she was re-launched in September of 2006 to sail on for future generations to enjoy. At present she is in the Wet Dock at Penzance.

Barnabas belongs to the Cornish Maritime Trust and attends maritime events around the coast of Cornwall, where she sails and demonstrates how her lug rig works.

Members of the trust can sail on any of its three historic working sail boats, or simply support its educational and social activities.

The Barnabas inspires children and adults alike to experience the joy and thrill of sailing a real Cornish lugger.