Sternpost- Saving No1, Hope

Clare McComb had to be yachting historian and detective to save a historic dinghy

I had been looking for Hope for over a decade. She is listed No1 in the International 14 book, build date just before the First World War; I knew she had been designed by Linton Hope, and built by Jac M Iversen and his brother-in-law, my grandfather, for EG Martin. I had the family archives and newspaper clippings, but not the boat. Then a tip-off from Jane Shaddick, Morgan Giles family archivist, located Hope at Lowestoft, stored in a polytunnel, part of a big collection.

Hurrah! After a positive response, I waited for a callback, as ecstasy turned to agony. The news was the collection was to be disbanded and probably auctioned, leaving Hope up for grabs, for anyone to buy.

Of course there were family consultations, and also discussions with classic boat specialist Adrian Stone, the safest hands I know if you want a vessel properly conserved. I cannot stress enough my gratitude to the National Small Boat Register, through the National Maritime Museum Cornwall; they already had Hope listed with photographs, but recent images were provided for me and much practical advice.