Nic Compton’s obituary of Jim Lawrence, barge skipper turned sailmaker, records his biggest commission, the 32,000sqft of sail on the newly refurbished four-master cruise ship Sea Cloud.
We were aboard the vessel on her maiden cruise in 2017, from Malta to Barcelona. For several days there was little wind, and the vessel had to rely on her engines.
But between Sicily and Sardinia a good following wind sprang up; the crew set Jim’s 30 sails, and Sea Cloud leapt forward. Even for landlubbers, it was an experience beyond description.
