The Albatros

The Albatros is a sailing ship built in 1899 also known as a North Sea Klipper, she is one of the oldest sailing ships still afloat and few among her peers can stay at sea in more adverse conditions. A superb example of a time-tested design, she was expertly built of first class materials and has been well maintained. Instead of sailing the high seas the Albatros is now permanently moored alongside The Quay in Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, UK and used as a bar, restaurant, music venue and B&B.


A brief History of the Albatros @ The Albatros Project



1899:
Built for Capt. Jon Muller and used for cargo carrying between Holland and the Baltic. Survives World War I under Capt. Muller.
1920:
Muller sells Albatros to Capt. Lolk from Svendborg (Dk).
1933:
Lolk installs her first engine (80Hp)
1941:
Lolk sells Albatros to Capt. Rasmussen from Hobro (DK)
1941:
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1945:
Rasmussen keeps trading through World War II and uses Albatros to rescue Jews and political dissidents out of Nazi-occupied Denmark to neutral Sweden carrying back guns and explosives for the Danish Resistance crammed between her cargo.
1964:
Rasmussen reduces rigging to steadying sails and installs a stronger engine.
1978:
Capt. Rasmussen retires after 37 years on Albatros. Albatros laid up in Copenhagen.
1980:
Capt. Ton Brouwer buys Albatros and sails her to Amsterdam.
1983:
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1987:
Albatros undergoes a complete restoration under supervision of Germanischer Loyd.
1987:
Albatros recommissioned as a sailing cargo vessel with classification GL 100 A4K.
1987:
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1997:
Ton Brouwer captains the Albatros as Europe's last cargoship under sail in the Home Trade and the Baltic taking on disaffected youths as crew and sailing about 20,000 nautical miles per year to several ports around Northwest Europe.
1990:
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1996:
Albatros becomes a regular visitor in the port of Wells-next-the-Sea bringing more than 100 cargos of soyabean meal from the continent.
1996:
On September 5th 1996 the Dutch cargo ketch Albatros delivered 100 tons of soyabean meal from the Dutch port of Rotterdam to the North Norfolk port of Wells-next-the-Sea. Those who stood on the quay two days later and watched her sail back to Rotterdam were present at an historic moment. For Albatros, was the last sail driven cargo ship in Europe and this marked the end of her 98 year career as a freight carrier.
1997:
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1998:
Cargohold refurbished and Albatros is converted to a fully licensed sailing passenger ship.
1998:
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2000:
Albatros chartered by Greenpeace and used as a waterborne venue for children's environmental education along the coast of Holland. August 2000: Albatros is officially invited to SAIL AMSTERDAM.
2001:
Albatros based in Wells-next-the-Sea where members of Wells maritime community have formed a trust called "The Albatros Project" to support the use of the ship as an educational centre. In order to keep her commercially viable the Albatros is available for luxury cruises, sail training, executive development and corporate entertainment. She is suitably equipped for these different functions. Capacity: Cruising and sail training 16 guests. Day sailing offshore 36 guests, Day sailing inshore or quay side 75 guests.
2005:
The Albatros Project stops and the trust is dissolved. In addition to the sailing program Ton Brouwer looks at the possibilities of using the ship as a bar, restaurant,music venue and B&B alongside the Wells Quay. After approval of his plans by the Wells Harbour Commissioners Ton Brouwer obtains his publican license and a premises license for the ship from North Norfolk District Council. A brand new chapter in the history of the ship starts with the first customers

coming on board for a pint of Woodfords Wherry and Dutch Pancakes.
2008:
The Albatros makes its last commercial sailing trip with guests in July. From then on the sale of real ales and pancakes becomes a full time all year round business.