The three mast Belem, once owned by the Duke of Westminster, celebrates World Ocean Day at Nausicaa, Boulogne from 6 to 8 June 2010
A REAL CELEBRATION OF THE SEA will take place leading up to World Ocean Day (08 June 2010) that aims to stimulate public interest in the marine environment. The organiser, the World Ocean Network, of which NAUSICAA is a founding member, has organised a full program of activities, entertainment and workshops from 5 to 8 June. This year World Ocean Days’ theme is « Biodiversity » and in particular how to handle the benefits that the Ocean provides to Man.
The BELEM in Boulogne
Launched in 1896 the three mast BELEM is the last of the big French commercial sailing ships still in commission. Today she is used as a sail training school. At NAUSICAA’s invitation and on the occasion of World Ocean Day, she will be in the port of BOULOGNE-SUR-MER from 13.00 Sunday 6 June. Public tours are available on Sunday 6 June from 14.30 to 17.30 and on 7 and 8 June from 16.00 to 17.30. Tickets are 4 € per adult over 14 years old (all children under 14yrs are free). For further information and to purchase tickets contact the Boulogne Tourist Office: +33 321 10 88 10 info@tourisme-boulognesurmer.com, www.tourisme-boulognesurmer.com.
Sail on the BELEM
On Wednesday 9 June, the BELEM sails from Boulogne for Cherbourg with 48 students onboard. During this 3 day course students will learn, discuss and participate in life on board a three mast barque. A discussion is planned with maritime specialist, François SARANO, who amongst other things worked with Cousteau on the Calypso and who more recently participated in the filming of the “Oceans” film. For further information and to sign up for the 3 day course contact the BELEM Foundation on www.fondationbelem.com.
the BELEM was originally a cargo ship, transporting sugar from the West Indies, cocoa, and coffee from Brazil and French Guiana to Nantes, France . By chance she escaped the eruption of the Mount Pelée in Saint-Pierre de la Martinique on 8 May 1902. All Saint Pierre roads were full of vessels, no place to anchor the ship. Captain Julien Chauvelon angrily decided to anchor some miles further on in a beach - sheltered from the exploding volcano.
She was sold in 1914 to Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster, who converted her to his private luxurious pleasure yacht, complete with two auxiliary Bolinder Diesel engines 300 HP each.
In 1922 she became the property of the beer baron Sir Arthur Ernest Guinness, who renamed her the Fantôme II (French spelling) and revised the rig from a square rigger.
Hon. A.E. Guinness was Rear Commodore of the Royal St. George Yacht Club, in Kingstown , Ireland from 1921-1939. He was Vice Commodore from 1940- 1948.
Hon. A.E. Guinness took the Fântome II on a great cruise in 1923 with his daughters Aileen, Maureen, and Oonagh. They sailed the seven seas in making a travel round the world via the Panama and Suez Canals including a visit to Spitsbergen. During her approach to Yokohama harbour while sailing the Pacific Ocean the barque managed to escape another catastrophe - an earthquake which destroyed the habour and parts of Yokohama city. Hon. Arthur E. Guinness died in 1949. The 'Fantome' was moored in the roads of Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Finally, in January 1979, after a long sojourn, she came back to her home port as the “Belem” under tow by a French sea-going tug, flying the French flag after 65 years.
Once she was fully restored to her original condition, she began a new career as a sail training ship.
'Belem' is an abbreviation of the town Bethlehem.
