"The 2007 sub-committee of the Aberaeron Yacht Club produced the Maritime Heritage day at The Yacht Club, who were instrumental in engaging a local traditional shipwright (David Selmes) to build a scaled section of Mountain Lass for the Maritime Heritage display.

David Thomson and Deirdre Sawyer (who is a descendent of John Harries Senior, 1781 - 1863), led the 2007 sub-committee.

After the celebrations were over it was agreed by the 2007 sub committee of AYC that there should be some enduring tribute to the Maritime Heritage of Aberaeron to emerge from the fantastic success of the celebrations and the enthusiasm of participants and public.

David Selmes has initiated research into Mountain Lass' history to find working drawings and dimensions and has expressed an interest in building a full scale working replica of the vessel before he loses his skills through age and physical deterioration.

He also has contacts and colleagues of craftsmen who would be interested in participating in the project. David has estimated that the cost would be in excess of £500,000.

A local entrepreneur (Peter Bottoms), who has just commenced a new venture producing timber, having abandoned his fishing trade from Aberaeron, has offered to source local timber for the project.

The immediate past Town Mayor (Phil Davies) has expressed an interest and is very supportive of the project. The current Town Mayor (Elizabeth Evans) has also shown active and enthusiastic support for the project. The local Harbourmaster for Aberaeron (Nigel Wells) has been consulted and is also very supportive.

The finished vessel will need a permanent base at Aberaeron and would ideally be berthed in a sheltered dry dock at the East end of Aberaeron Harbour, where she can be viewed and visited by tourists.

Mountain Lass and many other similar vessels were built and launched in Aberaeron Harbour in the mid nineteenth century, by the Harries family from the Dolphin yard adjacent to the Dolphin Inn (now Trelawney) which was also owned by John Harries Senior - founder of the Shipyard.

It is proposed to build the ship at the east end of the harbour near the foot bridge to launch into the harbour.

A Local Master Mariner from Aberaeron (Captain Huw Lewis) has offered to build a scale model of Mountain Lass and has also offered to master the ship during trials after commissioning.

The various characters involved as above, including myself are now in the process of consolidating interested volunteers into a focussed group and preparing an application for the formation of a "Community Interest Company" to attract funding and formalised plans for the project, which will be staged in three phases.

Phase 1 - The Dry Dock Home - Cei Aeron Quay

Our first proposal would be to construct a dry dock at the East end of Aberaeron Harbour (to be named "Cei Aeron Quay") as indicated in the draft plan below (coloured purple).

The dry dock could be built by volunteer and "community service" labour using traditional methods to minimise the impact on the environment and character of the harbour.

The retaining wall along the river bank would be designed to channel the river in its flow path along the north side of the harbour and to deflect the tendency to flood the southern part of the harbour.

While waves from north westerly winds prevail within the harbour it will continue to be necessary to retain the rock breakwater at the east end to diffuse waves which reach the east bank.

However it is hoped that in time this phenomenon will be addressed by calming measures to make the harbour a safe haven (possibly by deploying a seaward breakwater or hooked extension to south quay through the continuing Aberaeron coastal defence scheme, which is not part of this project).

Some support will inevitably be sought from County Architects, Estates and Planning departments of Ceredigion County Council to administrate the progress of Cei Aeron Quay.

Phase 2 - Brigantine Mountain Lass - Rebuild

The completed dry dock will enable Mountain Lass to be rebuilt, launched and fitted out. This would be the only project of its kind in Wales and the UK at this time, although inspiration has come from the French naval town of Rochefort, where an 18th century frigate "Hermione" (a much larger vessel) is currently being built using traditional methods.

We are proud of our shipbuilding heritage in Aberaeron from the 19th century and how better to ensure that our history is not forgotten by future generations than to rebuild one of the most famous Aberaeron Brigantines, to sail the seas once more and demonstrate our pride.

Needless to say the construction stages of the vessel will also attract tourism to our historic town.

Work is currently under weigh to research further details of Mountain Lass and her sister ship, Henry and Dora 1849 - 1869 as background to the rebuild project. The original Mountain Lass was 74.4' Long, 22.4' Beam, 11.1' Deep and 107 Tons (ULW).

An artists impression of how Mountain Lass will appear when in dry dock at low tide in the proposed Cei Aeron Quay. (The red lock gates can be seen sheltering the Brigantine and enabling the dock to remain dry at high tide).

Phase 3 - Adventure Voyages, Ambassador and Living Heritage Museum

When complete, seaworthy and finally commissioned, Brigantine Mountain Lass will embark on adventure voyages as an ambassador for Aberaeron and our maritime heritage.

The crew will comprise anyone who is willing and able to fund their own passage. Considerations will also be given to disaffected individuals who require financial support to embark upon a life changing adventure.

The Master will need to be a professional engaged by the Community Interest Company, who will continue to run the ship as a non profit making organisation.

Significant inspiration has been taken from the recent television series featuring Jamie Owen ("Turning the Tide") and he has personally expressed his support for the project as our "champion".

Upon return to port she will always have a home in the dry dock at Cei Aeron Quay, for maintenance and as a tourist attraction and working museum/testament to our heritage, which will be the pride of Wales, Ceredigion and Aberaeron.

Inspiration has also come from New Haven, Connecticut, America, where the historical 19th century top sail Schooner "Amistad", (also immortalised in a Steven Spielberg film), has been successfully rebuilt (launched in March 2000 - 78'L, 23'B, 10'D, 136T) and currently tours the world as an ambassador for freedom and diversity.

The creation of Mountain Lass in Aberaeron should be able to provide leisure, training, tourism, voyages, employment, local interest, skills, education, rehabilitation, motivation, pride, hope, a memorial to the souls of Welsh sailors and preservation of our maritime heritage."