William Garden designed the “Captain Blackburn” after reading about Howard Blackburn, a New England sailor who lost his fingers to frost bite. Despite his disability, Blackburn commissioned a small cutter he could single hand and in 1899 sailed her across the Atlantic to England.
Pert was build over a period of 13 years by the Fish Brothers. During that the brothers corresponded with William Garden, and with his approval, lengthened the boat by one foot. She was splashed in 2007, sailed for five seasons and then rested in Denny’s barn for eight years, when the current owner purchased her in 2020.
Pert is 28 foot on deck, 34 foot LOA, and has a 8.5 foot beam. She displaces approximately 5.5 tons.
The book detailing Captain Blackburn’s life is “Lone Voyager: The Extraordinary Adventures Of Howard Blackburn Hero Fisherman Of Gloucester”.