To mark the courage of Dunkirk, Tilby decorated this historical sail with over 100  votifs and relics (a global tradition of dedications, wishes and desires)made from recycled materials.  A tribute to  lives lived and lost at sea and to echo the belief and trust in something greater than ourselves when pitted against the elements.

​

Searching for an old canvas sail to paint, I came across this sail in a shed, close to where I made my first sailing dinghy, with my father fifty-four ars ago, in Essex.

I thought the red-brown sail was from a familiar Maldon barge, but on further investigation, discovered that its origin had a far more romantic history and was from The Angele Aline.

​

Launched in 1921, this fishing ketch was to be a fortunate ship, destined to have a dramatic life. In her youth, she sailed around Newfoundland and later, was part of the Dunkirk Evacuation, rescuing three hundred and fifty men. 

​

Although sunk twice and used as a blockade ship during the war, the Angele Aline went on to take part in the Tall Ship Races and won prizes.

​

Lovingly restored by several owners, she was lived in as a home and traveled the world. She is still sailing today.​ This sail is even older, used originally on a larger boat, it was repaired & re-purposed by hand for the Angel Aline. The splicing method used pre-dates 1900, may be done by an elder bosun on the crew.

The colour is residue from the tar preservative used.

​

You can almost smell the history in its canvas.