St Barbara Expedition to Ostend in 1959

Published 11:03am on 13 Apr 2022

Sophia Spurgin, daughter of RAYC member, Major Thomas Spurgin (Mike) at the time (and now well into his 90's) has submitted a video that he has uncovered of a trip by St Barbara to Ostend in 1959.

What a stunning film of St Barbara. There is so much atmosphere and sheer joy of sailing in the footage that it is a digital treasure of sailing on St Barbara which we should share as widely as possible. There are so many quirky aspects, the Wessex helicopter, oilskins, proto hovercraft, fishmarket on the quay at Ostend to name but a few. And the people, who are completely identifiable, are full of fun and waggishness. I think I saw Giles Arnold and Major Mike Spurgin is in the red hat.

Watch the video here