It is December and a cold and windy day. I am standing on the bank of the River Medway at Hoo, looking out across the bleak mud flats that the receding tide has left bare. From where I am standing by Buttercrock wharf I can see lying high, but not dry, the hulks of numerous wooden ships, once things of beauty, now just bones. From this windy vantage point I can see a thames barge, a Schooner and a deep sea trawler. Also in view is an ex-adimaralty pinnace and several long dead wooden yachts. Itis a sadfact but true that so many wooden boats rot away after their appointed span of 25 years and a wonderful thing that nothing less than pure altruism has kept so many of these old hookers afloat and a glory to behold.

This is the story of finding and rescuing Lone Gull, a yacht that has survived several of these 25 year crises and has had many adventures along the way.