Anny of Charlestown

Tall Ship Tasters in Cornwall all season

With gaff and square sails Anny of Charlestown looks like a tall ship on the horizon, but as soon as you join her on board you will find she is actually quite small which brings many advantages. With only 8 guests the staff to crew ratio is brilliant for personal attention. You can learn a broad range of nautical skills on Anny in a few days that would give you confidence to step on board any ship in the Classic Sailing fleet and feel useful as crew. 

The topsail schooner is arguably one of the most versatile of all sailing rig types, being able to sail quickly close to the wind with her fore-and-aft sails like our other vessels, but also has excellent downwind performance with a square topsail and course. Her spacious decks are ideal for group activities, and her large size, sheltered cockpit and high freeboard mean guest crew feel safe at sea.

The number of tall ships available for adults to sail on in UK waters has declined recently due to economic pressures so we are thrilled to welcome Anny to the Classic Sailing Fleet. Not only does she fulfill a demand for tall ship adventures from UK ports, her round trips from Charlestown also offers a great way of exploring Cornwall under sail without contributing significantly to climate change.

Mix of cabin types ideal for families or individuals

The layout of Anny below decks is an ideal boat for small groups of friends or families. The forecabin would a great bolt hole away from the adults for teenagers whilst the adults socialise after supper in the saloon. The remaining accommodation would suit a couple in a separate cabin, with a fold down bed as a 3rd berth in the double bed cabin. As Anny is very much active participation vessel where we all help sail the ship, the minimum age for children coming with their parents is 12 years. 

The layout also works well for individual adults or small groups that don’t know each other yet.  For those on a budget you can become a ‘fo’castle jack’ in the bunks right up in the bow. There are 3 bunks here in this forward cabin but you have your own companionway steps to deck and the white, fluffy duvets should stop you getting too mutinous. Please note the genders may be mixed in the forepeak and in the saloon.

The saloon is the heart of the ship, so for those who want to be first to breakfast. For a little bit more than the fore cabin prices you can enjoy the two pilot berths with the whole saloon to yourselves at night. Please note the genders may be mixed.

For a special treat, there is a double bed in its own cabin. Above the big bed is a single berth that can be folded away, depending on how many sailing mates you want to fit in for the whole cabin price. If you use the upper bunk, is very economical each for 3 friends. With the bunk removed it is absolutely perfect for a romantic couple wanting a big cabin to themselves. If you are feeling really indulgent you can book the whole cabin for solo occupancy as your private retreat (the price is for the cabin – not per person)

For photos and more details see our section on Anny’s accommodation.

Charlestown Harbour – Be Part of the Scene

Anny is owned by Charlestown Harbour and the Harbour team have great plans for this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Under new ownership, not only has the harbour become a vibrant working port once more, it is fast becoming a venue for events and fine dining. Waterside restaurants, boat building projects and the occasional buzz of film productions gives it a daytime and evening ambience that gets everybody in the holiday mood. 

Whether Anny is anchored off the harbour and you arrive by ships boat, or you join her on alongside the cobbled wharf in the sheltered harbour, you will be centre stage and providing a show for harbour visitors. Whether you like to pose like Captain Jack Sparrow or not, it does make you feel rather heroic as you negotiate the lock gates and tight entrance to get out, or set sail. When you return at the end of your voyage you will have access to parts of the port the public don’t and there may be other ships in the dock to visit.

Where is Charlestown? – Map & Port Details

The Anny Voyage Ethos

No experience is needed but even if you have done some sailing on other vessels, Anny carries a lot of sails – 12 in fact. For those that understand the jargon a topsail schooner has fore and aft sails (basically those that are rigged along the centre line of the vessel) and square sails which are set below wooden yards that stick out on either side of the mast. For those that think I am speaking gobbledegook, you will be amazed what you can pick up in a single weekend. We’ll have you steering a course to windward on the bigs ship wheel in no time.

Anny voyages are all about immersive, hands-on experience with plenty of helming, sail handling and learning. The crew are happy to cover basic navigation skills and get guests involved taking bearings and reading the chart. Basic ropework also covered, including knots and splicing practice, line handling etc. 

If you just want a bit of fresh air and a digital dettox then you can let the technical stuff wash over you and just enjoy each challenge as it comes and soak up the scenery of the rugged Cornwall coast.

The main companionway has a pleasing curve and brings you down into a saloon which is a cut above a typical yacht saloon. The headroom throughout is high. All the steps on Anny are quite steep and ladder like, so ask us if you are not sure about accessibility. It’s a long way down but worth it when you arrive on the beautiful pine floorboards.

The Saloon & Galley

In the starboard aft corner near the companionway is the galley has a 4 burner gas stove, electric oven, double stainless sink with hot and cold pressurised water, large fridge and plenty of storage.

In the opposite corner of the saloon is a door to the spacious washroom which has a hot water pressurised shower, hand basin and an electric sea toilet.

The main saloon has a large oval varnished mahogany table with fixed seating and space for 12 people. In good weather it is nice to eat on deck.

This sociable space is homely and warm anyway but thee is also a Diesel fired Reflex cabin heater in the saloon.

Pilot Berths in the saloon

2 single berths to port with curtains for privacy. The washroom/wc is only a few strides away across the saloon.  As in common with many communal spaces on yachts, the genders may be mixed in the saloon berth..

There are two bunks with curtains in the saloon. As in common with many communal spaces on yachts, the genders may be mixed in the saloon berths. These bunks offer easy access at night to the WC and you can always stay up and write your journal on the saloon table whilst your other resident sleeps. You will always be first to the cup of breakfast tea in these bunks.

The Forward Cabin – Affordable but Cozy!

There are 4 bunks in the forward cabin but only 3 are used. The steps are steep and ladder like and there is not much floor space. The beauty of it it is the berth prices are cheaper, and you can sneak off for a kip in the middle of the day without anyone spotting you!  Please note the genders may be mixed in this cabin. To reach the WC at night you will need to go on deck and either ‘admire the stars’ or pop down the other hatch to access the washroom and toilet.

Double Cabin – sleeps 1-3 people

The double bed in your own cabin is one of the highlights of Anny. There is another bunk that can slot in above the double bed (orientated athwartships – across the ship). The price for this cabin is the same whether you book it all for yourself, a couple, or a couple and a close friend, family member or child. You access this cabin from the saloon and it is only a few strides to the bathroom on the other side of the saloon.

Crew Quarters and dedicated engine room

There are steps down into the aft cabin with 2 single berths for skipper and mate and a navigation area.  Door to starboard into the engine room.

Anny – Ship History

Anny was built in 1930 in Denmark by Carstensen and Henriksen of Skagen, originally as a fishing vessel under various names. She fished until 1972, with a period under German control during WWII. In 1972 she was converted to a topsail schooner and named ‘Fiddler’s Green’, following which she worked in Europe and the Caribbean and undertook a world tour. She was renamed ‘Anny’ by her previous German owners.

Anny came home to Charlestown in July 2019 to a warm Cornish welcome, after delivery from Germany by the harbour team, and officially became ‘Anny of Charlestown’ later that year. She was star of the show at Charlestown Maritime Festival in September and we think she will turn many heads as she sails into Cornwall’s deep water ports and appears around rugged headlands.

Anny – Full Ships Specification

Rig	topsail schooner
12 sails	211 sq metre
length on deck	63ft
length overall	89 ft  (28.7m)
draft	9ft (2.8m)
air draft	73ft (22.3m)
beam	16.2ft (4.8m)
engine	Volvo Penta D7 262hp

Anny – Ship Construction

• Planked in oak fastened to heavy sawn oak frames in the traditional manner.
• Internal Oak ceiling planking giving enormous strength to the hull.
• Solid semi-swept teak deck, caulked and payed in the traditional manner.
• High bulwarks all round on stanchions through the coverboard, finished with a varnished oak capping rail.
• Two separate deck houses with Oak frames give headroom below in the cabins.

Primary Skipper: Ed Chun

Ed has been sailing and skippering professionally for over a decade and has 120,000 nautical miles under his keel. He works as a skipper for all sorts of vessels, but his heart is on Anny, a love affair which started the moment he stepped aboard in Germany. Teaching traditional sailing is a real passion of Ed’s, and whether it’s a short day-sail or a longer cruise, guests can expect an immersive and hands-on experience. If he’s not on board during your trip he’ll be spending time with the other love of his life: his new baby daughter!

Guest Skipper: Phil Pryor

Phil’s CV is as long as Anny’s boom! He’s been sailing for longer than he’d care to admit, both as Skipper and Chief Engineer. He teaches marine engineering at Plymouth University as well us tutoring all manner of merchant marine safety courses including sea survival and global maritime distress communications. His skippering experience includes a wide variety of vessels from modern yachts to tallships. Phil brings a really special mix of exceptional sailing knowledge with a calm and encouraging attitude to teaching and skill sharing. He fits perfectly with our Anny ethos!

Permanent Mate: Alex Hancock

Alex has been part of the Anny team since we travelled to Germany to collect her. His previous experience is extensive, having worked on a wide variety of traditional ships including the three-masted barque Kaskelot, pilot cutter ‘Mascotte’, ketch ‘Bessie Ellen’ and Brigantine ‘Soren Larsen’. Alex’s sailing career has taken him all round the world but having been on the move and aboard ship more-or-less continuously for the last 5 years he is very happy to be putting down salty roots in Charlestown with Anny!
Alex knows Anny better than anyone, as he leads our winter maintenance programme and is her caretaker year-round. Alex is also an experienced ship’s cook, surfer and illustrator! 

Guest Cook & Operations Manager ashore – Jessie Atkinson

Jessie has been sailing professionally and working with traditional vessels for 10 years, working in all manner of roles from tallship deck crew, bosun, rigger and ship’s cook. She now manages Anny, and gets out sailing aboard whenever she can, bringing her extensive experience to both the deck and the galley!

Guest Deckhands

Anny works with a small pool of highly qualified and knowledgeable crew. We like to keep things vibrant and believe strongly that sailors are always teaching and always learning, and that sailing on a variety of vessels encourages this atmosphere of continuous development. Our guest crew all sail on a number of traditional ships, as well as being intimately familiar with Anny. They always bring with them enthusiasm, new ideas, and a desire to share the love of sailing!