Westcountry

Yachtsman and adventurer Pete Goss is to embark on a 11,800 mile nautical journey in a wooden boat, re-enacting an epic voyage undertaken by Cornish fisherman 153 years ago.

Goss, who lives in Torpoint, Cornwall, is perhaps better remembered for his pioneering project with Team Philips. He built a revolutionary catamaran in Totnes for the Millennium non-stop round the world race, but unfortunately the boat broke up in the North Atlantic and never made the start line.

This new voyage will be completely different to anything Pete has done before. Proud of his West country roots and an enthusiastic wood-worker, the project is something Pete has 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, Cornwall. 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.

Pete Goss: "I have always wanted to build a wooden boat and relish the challenge of sailing such a small vessel to Melbourne, Australia."

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. The only break in the voyage was a week in Cape Town for repairs and replenishment.

They had made such good progress to South Africa they were commissioned by the Royal Mail to take the post on to Australia.

Now, 153 years later, Pete is building 'Spirit of Mystery' in Innswork Mill Quay boat yard at Millbrook in South East Cornwall to celebrate their amazing achievement. The vessel will be as true to the original Mystery as possible and, although there will be concessions to safety, there will be no engine, toilet or modern electrical and navigational systems.

Pete said: "I like the idea of having a small carbon footprint thanks to going back to basics. I have always wanted to build a wooden boat and relish the challenge of sailing such a small vessel to Melbourne, Australia. It is also a perfect vehicle to support Cornwall Playing for Success, an educational charity."

Playing for Success is a national out-of-school-hours initiative set up to provide motivational and educational activity courses aimed at raising literacy, numeracy and IT skills in children who have unrealised potential.

Pete Goss is a founder and Trustee of the charity. He raised both awareness and funds for the charity through his entries in the 2006 Round Britain and Ireland yacht race.

When asked if he ever gets scared whilst on his adventures, Pete replied: "Of course there are moments when one is scared but they are moments. We have a saying that knowledge dispels fear. The more you train and prepare the less daunting a task will seem and the better able one is able to handle the dodgy bits."

"When things get really close to the wire you have to put your emotions in a box and apply logic and experience. Panic kills. Life is for living and this for me is life at its best. 'Carpe Diem' – seize the day."

Pete received a Legion d'Honneur and MBE for saving fellow sailor Raphael Dinelli in the 1996 Vendee Globe solo around the world yacht race, during a severe storm in the Southern Ocean.

It is planned to launch Spirit of Mystery on Saturday 21 June and commence the passage in mid-October 2008.