Pete Goss and his Spirit of Mystery will be special guest at this year’s boat show. Pete built a wooden lugger and followed in the wake of seven Cornishmen who made a heroic journey to Australia 154 years ago. Proud of his West country roots and an enthusiastic wood-worker, the project is something Pete wanted to do since he heard about the inspirational voyage of the Mystery. The 37 ft Mystery was an open Mounts Bay Lugger built in Newlyn, UK. Times were hard and the seven Cornishmen, all related by either blood or marriage and share holders in the Mystery, made the decision to try their luck at the Australian gold rush over a pint in the Star Inn, Newlyn. It was suggested that the Mystery could be sold to cover the passage. Captain Richard Nicholls, with a couple under his belt and in good spirits, said: “I’ll take you in the Mystery”; and so an amazing adventure was born. Leaving Newlyn on Saturday 18 November 1854, the Mystery travelled about 11,800 nautical miles in 116 days before arriving in Melbourne on 14 March 1855. Having built an identical replica of the vessel, Pete recreated the voyage arriving in Melbourne in March 2009. See the vessel and hear his amazing story at the Sydney International Boat Show. The Spirit of Mystery will be part of the marina display. Pete will be appearing on the Better Boating Lounge Hall 2 (Stand 200) http://www.petegoss.com/mystery/