Peace, 1909
The 38ft oyster smack Peace was built in 1909 by Douglas Stone of Brightlingsea, writes Sandy Miller. Currently owned by Angus Milgate, Peace has a strong connection to both his family and home. She was built for Stanley French of Mersea Island and was skippered and raced by Angus’ great grandfather Zebedee Milgate (a fisherman famous for defending local fishing rights). In the 1960s, when owned by the Bentley family who had oyster layings in Mersea, the parents of Angus’ wife Lucy met for the first time on Peace. She stayed in Mersea until 1970 when his father boatbuilder John Milgate and godfather Hugh heard that she was being taken to Africa. They managed to intercept her at Ramsgate with an envelope of cash; a deal was done and she came home to Mersea. Originally built in pine on oak, John Milgate replaced the top-sides (in iroko), much of the planking, deck beams, both cabins and spars in the 1970s. Her garboards and keel are elm and while Angus says the elm looks over 100 years old, he is sceptical they could have lasted that long. Peace is a fast and elegant smack, and she is a regular sight and strong performer at east coast events.