BRINGING THE "MYSTERY" OUT OF HISTORY

The plans by Cornish sailor and adventurer Pete Goss to repeat the voyage of the Newlyn fishing lugger "Mystery" and her seven man crew to Victoria in 1854-1855 have drawn new attention to that incredible achievement by determined Cornishmen at the time of extreme hardship in Cornwall and the discovery of gold in Victoria.

With six of the crew being members or relations of the Kelynack family of Newlyn they set sail on November 18th 1854 in a boat designed for close to shore fishing and with only one of the men with a knowledge of ocean sailing and navigation. 

One hundred and sixteen days later they landed safely at Hobson's Bay.

With Richard Nicholls as skipper and navigator they safely endured the "Doldrums" crossed the Equator and arrived at Cape Town on January 17th 1855.  January 24th saw them underway once again and entrusted with Royal Mail for Victoria.  During the second leg of their journey they safely negotiated gales, snow, storms and huge seas and finally sighted the Cape Otway Light on March 12th 1855.

Hobson's Bay to Sandridge 1863   F Cogne        

Source :  National Library Australia Picture Collection

Nicholl's log, letters and newspaper reports are among the documentation preserved to verify their achievement and secure their rightful place in Cornish-Australian history.

The little vessel remained in Australian waters and was wrecked in a storm off Rockhampton, Queensland in 1859.

Their story was the subject of a paper presented at Kernewek Lowender, Sth Australia in May 2007 by Lindsay Chapman.  Copies are held with the large display posters prepared by Corinne Thompson in the C.A.V. Information Resource Centre at Hughesdale.  

During 2008 Pete's vessel "Spirit of Mystery" has been constructed in Cornwall as a "close as possible" replica, built of local timbers to the design of the traditional Mounts Bay Luggers.  

It was launched at Millbrook on the South Cornwall coast on 21st June and has excited Pete and his crew in initial sea trials. 

A "Naming & Blessing" ceremony was held at the Newlyn Fishing Festival on August Bank Holiday, one of the many opportunities that Pete has chosen to both promote the venture and meet some descendants of the original crew.

His crew for the voyage, which will be under sail only and with navigation by the stars, will again be comprised of family members. 

They plan to leave Mounts Bay in late October, pause at Cape Town near Christmas and enter Port Philip Bay and land at Williamstown in late February or early March 2009.

You can follow their preparations and the voyage on the Pete Goss web site:  www.petegoss.com   

The arrangements for their arrival and stay in Victoria are being planned by a committee comprising members of the Royal Yacht Club Victoria and Tall Ships Victoria in conjunction with our Association, Scienceworks and the City of Hobson's Bay.

"Cornish Australians" will have a privileged opportunity to meet Pete Goss and his crew and view the "Spirit of Mystery" at close quarters.  A dinner function at the R.Y.C.V. is now being planned for Sunday 15th March 2009.

We would be pleased to hear from any "descendants of the original crew" and all expressions of interest in this event will be welcomed.

"Spirit of Mystery" off the Cornish Coast. June 2008

Photograph by courtesy of Pete Goss