Luxury cruises for 'Kathleen and May’ and ‘Irene’

Three-masted schooner Kathleen and May and the twin-masted ketch Irene are soon to disappear from the Appledore scene of which, between voyages, they have been so picturesque and attractive a feature.

But local people, to whom the vessels are more than just ships, may find consolation in the fact that both are to have a glamorous future. They have been bought by the Foster Construction Company, of London, and will be used for luxury cruises in the Mediterranean and the West Indies.

They have been idle for a considerable time, and it was this that prompted Capt Tom Jewell, master and owner of the Kathleen and May, and Colthurst Symons, owners of the Irene, regretfully to put them on the market.

Both would soon be going into the Bideford yards of M W Blackmore and Sons Ltd for a refit and to be converted for passenger accommodation.

More history on the Kathleen and May can be found HERE and Irene, HERE

The full Gazette article is dated 10 March 1961