Ship profile for the sailing ship: "Keewaydin"
Photos of the sailing ship:
Please click into a photo to see it in higher resolution.
Source, location, date:
Volker Gries,
Brest/Douarnenez 2004,
07/2004
Source, location, date:
Volker Gries,
Brest/Douarnenez 2004,
07/2004
Source, location, date:
Volker Gries,
Festival Temps Fête sur Douarnenez 2012,
07/2012
Source, location, date:
Volker Gries,
Festival Temps Fête sur Douarnenez 2012,
07/2012
Source, location, date:
Volker Gries,
Festival Temps Fête sur Douarnenez 2012,
07/2012
Source, location, date:
Volker Gries,
Temps fete Douarnenez 2016,
07/2016
Source, location, date:
Volker Gries,
Temps fete Douarnenez 2016,
07/2016
Technical data of the sailing ship:
| Name: | Keewaydin |
| Ex-names: | Vestenwind, Odysseus, Alice A. |
| Registered port: | Cardigan |
| Nation: | GBR |
| Type of rigging: | KETSCH |
| Type of ship: | Lowestoft Sailing Smack |
| Year built: | 1913 |
| Yard: | G. & T. Smith, Rye, England, GB |
| Overall length: | 21.40 m |
| Breadth: | 5.70 m |
| Draught: | 5.70 m |
| Ship's hull: | Holz / Wood |
| Power: | 180 PS |
| Engine: | Gardner 6LXB 6cy |
Portrait of the sailing ship:
Last update: 25 May 2026
- built in 1913 by G. & T. Smith in Rye, England, GB for owners of Lowestoft, named "Keewaydin", served as fishing trawler in the North Sea.
- since 1937/1938 used as a cargo ship in the Baltic Sea region under the flag of Denmark, later sold to Sweden.
- 1944 renamed "Vestenwind".
- 1963 converted into a yacht, 1972/73 participation in the Whitbread Round The World Yacht Race with a circumnavigation of the world, since 1974 used in the Mediterranean (Greece) as a charter yacht with bermuda rig, 1985 renamed the "Odysseus" and later in 1989 the "Alice A.", 1989 repairs on Malta, later renamed to "Keewaydin" again.
- purchased in 1997 by the Welch family where she was found in poor condition on the island Malta, restoration finally completed in Brixham in 1998, rigged as a gaff ketch again.
- since 2001 used as a charter vessel sailing the coast of Wales, the channel and European Atlantic coast.
- 2005 mayor damage during a charter trip followed by a repair until 2006.
- used to take disadvantaged Children to sea for Adventure Training trips.
- since 2008 based in Falmouth/GBR and sailing Holiday trips to Scilly Islands and to Brittany.
- received a new main mast in 2011.
- 2011 ran aground at the Scilly Islands off Tresco and Bryher, repaired to continue sailing trips with holiday guests.
- after the death of the owner a Keewaydin Voyage Group to the ship in 2022.
- general restoration in Sailor's Creek, Falmouth/GBR; two weeks before the relaunch a fire on board destroyed the ship.
Literature for further reading:
We recommend the following references for your further research of the ship. The references marked with have been included in the generation of the ship profile on this page.
Paul Brown
"Historic Sail. Britain's Surviving Working Craft"
The History Press 2013 ISBN: 978-0-7524-8581-2
(in Association with National Historic Ships UK)
Page: 51, 53 Source with picture Source with history Source with technical data