The History of The Ship

The history of Jubilee is a story of endurance, transformation, and survival against the odds. Built as a converter smack in the bustling port of Lowestoft in the second half of the 19th century, she was expected to have a relatively short life—just 20 years—typical of the East Coast fishing fleet vessels designed for a hard, utilitarian existence. However, Jubilee defied expectations, carving out a remarkable and varied career that spanned over a century.

For decades, she sailed alongside other fishing smacks, hauling the bounties of the North Sea back to the bustling ports of the East Coast. In 1919, her journey took a dramatic turn when she was sold to a Norwegian company. There, she was renamed Nordlys and converted into a motor coaster, beginning a new chapter transporting lumber and firewood through the fjords of Norway. The harsh conditions of the northern seas were no match for her sturdy frame, and she continued this role for many years.

In the 1980s, Nordlys underwent another transformation, this time being rebuilt as a trading ketch. Although her rigging was updated and her appearance changed, the ship’s fundamental purpose remained the same—carrying cargo. She plied the seas of northern Europe, continuing to work the same routes and the same trade as she had for decades. But by the time the new millennium dawned, age was starting to catch up with her. The ship, worn from years of hard labour, was in desperate need of attention.

However, as the global pandemic took hold in 2020, work for the vessel dried up, and she was laid up in a harbour without a purpose. But just as Jubilee—by then known once again by her spirit if not her name—had defied expectations for over a century, her story didn’t end there. In 2024, Wine Dark Sea Research recognised the immense potential in this historic vessel and seized the opportunity to restore her once again—not as a cargo ship, but as a sustainable research vessel. The goal is to bring Jubilee back to Lowestoft, the port of her birth, and give her a new life, serving the future of marine science while honouring her rich history.

In the early 2000s, the Dutch sail-cargo company Fair Transport took on the challenge of restoring Nordlys. They rebuilt her once again, this time for the modern sail-cargo industry, where she would carry eco-friendly goods up and down the West Coast of Europe. With new sails and fresh resolve, she embarked on a mission to promote sustainable transport, embodying the ideals of traditional shipping in a modern context.

Today, Jubilee stands poised to embark on a new journey—one that connects the past with the future, combining her centuries-old heritage with cutting-edge sustainability for marine research and education. Her story is far from over, and with each new chapter, she continues to carry the spirit of adventure, resilience, and environmental stewardship into the future.