Serene seas charm passengers and crew as tall ship Morgenster sets sail from Shoreham

In perfect sailing weather, Morgenster glided away from Shoreham Port’s Wigan Wharf for a three-hour trip out to sea on bank holiday Monday.

The tall ship, whose name translates as “morning star”, was thronged with eager passengers of all ages as it executed a nifty three point turn and prepared to follow the prevailing wind in a westerly direction.

Originally a herring lugger called Lady Mary, built in Holland and launched in 1919, Morgenster has been through many changes since she first set sail over a century ago.

On Monday, she was prepared for a straightforward pleasure cruise, managed by the 8 person crew and the captain, Jakob Fremgen.

As Morgenster left Shoreham Port, the sea was calm and the wind was light, but it stiffened up as the ship sailed further away from the coast.

Eager volunteers from among the passengers helped the crew to raise the sails after the Morgenster slipped past Kingston beach and the Kingston Buci lighthouse. Paddle boarders, swimmers and jet ski riders watched curiously as the ship, with its 29 metre mainmast, cruised by.

The sun glinted off the tiny waves, which gently slapped the sides of the Morgenster as she leaned into the wind and picked up speed. As well as Brighton and Hove, Shoreham and Southwick, seven sisters cliffs and Worthing came into view. 

At different points in the voyage, obviously.

Modern maritime law requires vessels like Morgenster to have an engine to make navigating into, and out of port a breeze. Morgenster was first fitted with an engine in 1928.

During World War II, Morgenster was commandeered by the German Wermacht. She was lengthened by nearly 8 metres in 1947, and her engine was upgraded the next year.

She was worked as a fishing vessel until 1970, then repurposed as a sport angling ship with another engine upgrade. She was refitted as a sailing ship between 2005 and 2008.

On a still summer’s day it isn’t always possible to raise the sails, as the wind may be too light, but on Monday we were lucky. 

Heading for the Rampion wind farm, as well as helping to hoist the sails, passengers got to assist as Morgenster navigated several “jives”, or turns. We circled a container ship moored out to sea, and those of us not moving the sails, waved to the crew.

A feeling of peace descended as Morgenster tilted gently and set sail for the Port again, so as not to miss her slot. 

As the passengers disembarked, noticeably chilled after the relaxing trip, there was little rest for Morgenster’s crew. She was due to set sail for Oostende the next morning at about 9am.

Among many voyages across the world’s oceans, Morgenster has crossed the Atlantic, sailed down to South Africa, cruised around the Baltic (and most of Europe), and will be taking part in the Tall Ships race later this summer.

For more info: https://zeilbrik.org/ship/