The golden age of sail is set to return to Port St Mary during TT week when the Tall Ship Artemis comes to visit.
A sunset sail on board Artemis is planned for Tuesday 8th June.
Artemis was built in Norway in 1926 as a whaling ship, and sailed until after the war in the North and South Polar Seas.
During the 1950s, she was converted to a freighter working between Asia and South America until she became unable to compete with newer and larger boats. She is now an elegant reminder of a time before steam and then diesel engines transformed boat design. Restored and refitted into a passenger ship, she boasts two salons holding over a hundred people in comfort and style.
Below decks a hotel style galley caters for longer voyages in which guests can stay in one of the 15 luxury cabins.
Port St Mary Regeneration Committee has chartered Artemis for the 4 hour sunset sail.
Chair of Port St Mary Regeneration Committee, Laurence Skelly, said, "We are delighted to invite Artemis down to Port St Mary.
The history and development of the village were directed by its links with the sea and a visit by a Tall Ship will bring back some of the glamour of an era that few now remember."
Port St Mary's working harbour used to shelter its fair share of schooners many of which were built on the Quay, but few of those boats can have matched the sleek lines and modern luxury of the renovated Artemis.
So if you've ever wondered what it would be like to step aboard a 190ft three masted barque, where you might just hear someone cry 'Hoist the topsail', then this is your chance - even though they do it with an electric motor these days!
Tickets cost ?30 per person and are available from Port St Mary Commissioner, Rebecca Sinfield on 469306 or by emailing rsinfield@manx.net.
For safety reasons, numbers are limited and you are strongly advised to book early.
A possible pre-sailing reception on the Quay is being considered as an optional extra, or the public can take advantage of the many fine restaurants in the village before their sailing. The best view points to see the Artemis sail will be from Clifton Road and Kallow Point.
If you are interested in a corporate event aboard Artemis, perhaps combining a quayside reception, please contact Laurence Skelly (skelly@manx.net or 453758) for further details.
