Blyth Tall Ship offering sailing opportunities and skill-building courses for local veterans

Blyth Tall Ship, a Northumberland-based charity, recently welcomed six veterans from Walking With The Wounded aboard the historic Tall Ship, William II.

The veterans participated in a tour of the woodworking project and workshop, immersing themselves in the ship’s history and craftsmanship.

Blyth Tall Ship extends these opportunities to residents and veterans alike, offering volunteering roles aboard the William II, a 110-year-old replica Tall Ship. Whether you have sailing experience or not, all are welcome. Volunteers can join as onboard crew with full training provided at no cost, work in the shipyard workshop, or contribute to a local archiving project.

The charity also offers a range of free courses for groups and individuals, including:

• A 6-week woodworking course, with participants eligible to join the ongoing shipbuilding project upon completion
• Knots and Splices course
• Canvas work course
• Archiving and historical document preservation course

The William II is a replica of the original Brig Williams, a ship built by Captain William Smith in Blyth port. During his global voyages, Captain Smith famously discovered the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica in 1819.

Blyth Tall Ship originated as a Northumberland County Council community project in 2019. Since then, it has helped young people secure employment in the offshore industry and pursue further education. Participants gain hands-on experience in woodworking, sailing, archiving, and volunteering, all while contributing to the preservation of the region’s rich maritime history.