A VESSEL moored in Charlestown Harbour has been chosen as one of four from around the country to act as a flagship for National Historic Ships UK this year.

Lady Daphne, which is listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, will be “flying the flag” for maritime heritage.

The 101-year-old Spritsail barge, which offers a varied events programme, will receive a special broad pennant to fly at the masthead and a brass plaque.

The vessel will be holding a flag-hoisting ceremony in the coming weeks to celebrate its new status.

A spokesperson for National Historic Ships UK said: “The flagship awards have been running since 2009.

“The awards provide an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate the value of historic vessels to the wider public. This can be through a variety of online activities, special events, open days, workshops and tours.

“Competition was particularly strong for the coveted accolade this year. Applications were received from a range of operational and static vessels on the national registers, based on their seasonal programmes and planned level of outreach.

Lady Daphne, built in 1923, is the static flagship of the year.

The vessel has been awarded its new status in recognition of its extensive planned programme of events which include open days, floating fairs, music and quiz nights, artist studios and the launch of the vessel's own ale and spirit range.

The spokesperson said: “The creativity and variety demonstrated in the application was inspiring and reflects the growth of interest in the vessel locally through news and social media.

“Lady Daphne was built by Short Brothers, Rochester, for Thomas Watson Shipping Ltd, and named after her owner's eldest daughter at her launch in 1923.

“Amongst the very few wooden barges built after the First World War, she operated as a coasting barge for half a century, carrying cargoes such as china clay, Portland stone, cement and grain between east and south coast ports.

“The Lady Daphne has had several lucky escapes in her lifetime, including being shipwrecked on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly in 1927, being struck by a tramp steamer on the Thames and nearly capsizing in Ipswich Docks during the Great East Coast Tidal Surge of January 1953.

“In 1975, she was re-rigged and converted to a promotional and charter barge at Maldon by her new owners, Taylor Woodrow. Since 1996, she has been in private ownership.

“In April 2022, Lady Daphne undertook the journey south west to her new home at Charlestown Harbour, where she is undergoing continual maintenance and restoration.

“She celebrated her 100th birthday in 2023, when the Friends of Lady Daphne won the Marsh Volunteer of the Year group award at the 2023 National Historic Ships UK Awards.”