A 95 foot vintage Bermudan ketch sailed home to Milford Haven last Thursday afternoon. The Halcyon was berthed in the haven for ten years in the 1990s. She has recently been acquired by new owner, Dr Andrew Armour, a man with strong ties to Pembrokeshire and its waterways.
The ketch has undergone a £1m refurbishment to restore her to her former glory. Built from teak and oak in 1929 for industrialist Sir Samuel Turner she has passed through the hands of several different owners and has been put to a variety of uses.
From 1957 until 1988 the Halcyon was used as a training vessel for the University of Southampton school of navigation. As a result hundreds of merchant navy cadets have been schooled aboard, creating what owner, Dr Armour calls a Halcyon family.
Dr Armour bought the ketch last year after falling in love with her as soon as he stepped on board in Gloucester docks. One year and much dedicated work from Tommi Neilsen's famous boatyard later and the Halcyon has taken to the seas again.
She will now make Milford Haven her home port, sailing out to ports around Britain and Europe on charter.
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