FOUR years after arriving in Newlyn for a major restoration, a 111-year-old fishing lugger called the Ripple is now ready to return to the sea. For fifty years she had been on a mooring in Port Navas.

Now she is to go to work again.

On Friday, the Cornwall Pirates rugby team will pull the historic boat along Newlyn's Strand and into the harbour.

The rising tide will then float the 44-foot tarred vessel at the place where she last landed fish 74 years ago.

Once fully operational, the Ripple will be the only,working Cornish fishing lugger in the world.

The launch will mark the start of her new career with the West Cornwall Lugger Industry Trust Ltd offering enthusiasts the experience of sailing and fishing on a lugger 100 years ago when fishing was a sustainable industry.

She will also make a significant contribution to preserving and bringing to life Cornish and national fishing heritage in a real working environment.

The Ripple SS.19 (St Ives) is now the oldest fishing boat on the UK Fishing Vessel Register carrying her original name and fishing registry number from 1896.

For nearly four decades she fished the waters of the South West, earning a reputation as one of the most successful boats in Newlyn.

But in December 1933, shortly before she was due to depart from St Ives Harbour for the herring fishery at Plymouth, a disastrous fire broke out on board which damaged her so badly it ended her fishing career.

After repair and conversion at Looe in 1936, to a gentleman's motor yacht, she spent over 50 years moored at Port Navas near Falmouth.

The launch follows the completion of the main part of the Ripple's restoration.

After floating, further work on the masts, spars, ballast and internal fittings will be carried out in Newlyn Harbour.

Then sailing, engine and fishing trials will take place to bring her into full operation.

Owner John Lambourn said: " The Ripple symbolises regeneration in Newlyn.

"She is a tangible example of getting the past to work for the future, inspiring the next generation to find ways of benefiting from the richness of Newlyn's fishing heritage and learning how the past can help shape a vision for a sustainable fishing industry ".

"Those who have been following the Ripple's restoration are keen see what happens next, so the challenge is to get her to earn her keep and justify the potential of these sailing fishing luggers to contribute towards the economic, environmental, social and leisure aspects of regeneration in Newlyn".

On Sunday, at 4.30pm, at the Old Quay in Newlyn, Reverend Julyan Drew, Methodist minister for Newlyn and Mousehole, will bless the lugger and the Newlyn Male Choir will perform a selection of sea and fishing songs.