Cornish Pasty in the News – Voyage of the Mystery

1854 saw the end of an era in Cornish territories, the tin mining industry, which had been responsible for creating a population of mining families and settlers from wider shores, were in a state of collapse.  An exodus ensued, and the miners began to seek alternative sources of income. For one team of 7 ex-tin miners an adventure had begun at the Star Inn in Newlyn.  The decision was to embark on a journey to seek fortunes mining gold in foreign territories.

The 114 day voyage would take the crew from Penzance in Cornwall to Melbourne in Australia aboard a Cornish Lugger called the Mystery. The Mystery was built in Newlyn for mackerel diving and her overall length was 36 feet, with 32 feet of keel, 11 feet beam, drawing 6 feet of water and tonnage 16.  The Mystery was widely believed to be a fishing boat converted to a sailing yacht, the first voyage of it’s kind in an unorthodox vessel.

The famous voyage has recently been passaged by a British adventurer named Pete Goss together with his 14 year old son.  After setting sail in November the crew arrived in Williamstown, Melbourne on 9th March 2009.  Sailing in an exact replica of the Mystery, Pete Goss (an ex Royal Marine) took 116 days to complete the epic journey.  At the end of the journey the four man crew were greeted in Williamstown with a Cold Beer and a Cornish Pasty !

Proper Pasty Company 10th Birthday!