Slippen is the oldest pilot gig, she was built in 1830 and was then known as Bernice – at that time she was a St Martin’s boat. In 1869 she was sold to St Agnes and became the Slippen. In 1907 Slippen went to the rescue of the Thomas W Lawson after she grounded off Annet – two of the 18 crew were rescued. The TW Lawson was the largest 7 masted, steel hulled trading schooner ever built and was from Massachusetts. After the disaster a historical society from Massachusetts part funded her restoration. Slippen is now a St Mary’s boat.
At the 2015 World Gig Rowing Championships a ladies team from Massachusetts were lent the Slippen in order to race in her – a nice historical connection – she had been especially refurbished for the occasion.
The re-rurbished Slippen on the beach in American colours
Looking over towards the old life boat slipway
She is in very good condition
The brass plaque commemorating the TW Lawson disaster
Here is Slippen in her 2014 colours being rowed by a crew from Appledore
A Dartmoor blog 