1900
Commissioned for a local shipping company, Coppack Brothers & Co, at a cost of £2,700, the Lizzie May was built in 1900 at Connah's Quay on the estuary of the Dee in North Wales and named after Captain John Coppack's two daughters.
Capable of carrying 250 tons of cargo, she was employed in the general coasting trade, carrying bulk cargoes such as coal, china clay, cement, bricks, fertilisers and grain between many ports in the British Isles.
1908
In 1908 Lizzie May was sold to Martin J. Fleming of Youghal in the Irish Republic and renamed Kathleen & May after his two daughters. Under Captain Joe Aherne of Youghal, she worked in the coal trade between the Bristol Channel and Ireland, carrying oats or pit props on the return passages. She sailed from Youghal for twenty three years.
1931 - 1960
On St George's Day in 1931 she carried her last cargo under sail alone - 202 tons of coal from Cardiff. She was purchased by to Captain William Jewell of Appledore in North Devon in partnership with his son Captain Tommy Jewell.
Her topsail yards were removed, her topmasts were shortened and she was fitted with her first engine - a 80 b.h.p semi diesel Beardmore. Throughout the Second World War she continued to ply her trade across the Irish Sea “armed only with a Lewis gun and a rifle”.
1971 - 1978
When Tommy Jewell retired at the age of 65 in 1960, Kathleen & May had several owners before being acquired in 1971 by the Maritime Trust with funds given by the Hong Kong shipowner Sir Yue-Kong Pao. The Trust was set up under the auspices of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh to preserve for future generations the ships which symbolised Britain's maritime history. Cutty Sark was to represent deepwater sailing craft, and Kathleen & May coastal sail trading craft.
A major re-fit took place - masts, spars and rigging were all renewed using original fittings wherever possible and she was kept well maintained in Plymouth harbour as a tourist attraction.
1978 - 1985
In 1978 the Kathleen & May was towed to St Katherine Dock, London to form part of the British Nation's Historic Ship Collection alongside the Cutty Sark until 1985 when she was put up for sale.
1998
After several years of serious neglect, devoid of all masts, spars and rigging and barely recognisable, Kathleen & May was discovered in Gloucester docks by the present owner Steve Clarke who fell in love with the old lady.
Sympathetic restoration was carried out using authentic materials and traditional methods.
Sixty tons of oak was used to replace almost all the frames. 3,500 feet of 3 inch thick larch replaced worn planking using traditional treenail fixings. The seams were caulked and the outside of the hull was coated with tar to maintain authenticity. The whole deck and all the deck beams were replaced. The steel standing rigging was overhauled and a brand new set of sails made.
An auxiliary engine, a Detroit 2 stroke diesel engine rated 400h.p. @ 1800 r.p.m. was installed providing twin drives.
2001
In August 2001, the Kathleen & May undertook sea trials returning to her beloved Youghal though not at full sail. Under extensive media coverage including national press and television news she arrived in Ireland to an overwhelming reception.
The following year, complete with a full set of new sails, she enjoyed six weeks of great sailing, visiting many of her old haunts.