PZ 17...

PZ 17

Just a simple wooden model,

A fishing boat, fashioned then sold

In Marazion, Cornwall…

Yet, it was the registration which took my eye:

‘PZ 17’ held me in its thrall

And I was influenced to buy:

Only then did a story begin to unfold…

The real PZ 17 was a lugger, ‘Peel Castle’,

Which worked out of Newlyn from 1932

But was built in Porthleven three years before,

 It fished from Brixham too, off the southern English shore; 

Naval service followed as a harbour patrol boat 

During the difficult times of World War Two;

Peel Castle was finally sold to reside at Skibbereen,

In Ireland, then rebuilt as a 3-masted lugger, 

So that its maritime life began anew, 

  Its lifestyle less daunting and more serene…

Just a simple wooden boat,

A model, created then sold

In Marazion, Cornwall

To me, for its rustic form held my gaze:

‘PZ 17’, my favourite number, is all

And I was committed to buy,

So then the heritage began to unfold…

Pete Ray

March 2020…