The 21ft Cockleshell was built by Arthur Barber, better known as AJ, who was also a renowned St Peter Port dentist and a pioneer of deep diving. After constructing the boat in a shed on the site of what is now Le Fregate Hotel, he launched it in 1926.
Cockleshell remained in Guernsey until 1959, surviving the Occupation and being re-commissioned in 1946, taking part in races when it was skippered by AJ’s son Max, and his son-in-law John Sherwill.
After moving to the UK, John sailed the boat from Guernsey to Orford in Suffolk, ‘coast hopping’ via French ports in a journey which took seven days.
The boat was initially based in Wroxham Broad, Norfolk, followed by 25 years on the River Deben in Suffolk, after which its home became the River Hamble where it is still raced by Mr Sherwill and his wife, often successfully against more modern vessels.
Mr Sherwill, the oldest grandson of late Guernsey Bailiff Sir Ambrose – and also, through his mother Pat, grandson of AJ Barber – together with Mrs Sherwill created an event especially for Cockleshell, the annual Hamble Classics Regatta, which is now in its 11th year and attracts up to 50 yachts.
A birthday party for the boat is taking place at the RAF Boat Club in Hamble today.
‘My sister will be there and a few people who’ve sailed on the boat over the years. It’ll be a gathering of about 30-35 people,’ he said.
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