This is the only known painting of the Mignonette now owned by Barbara Boon from Yarmouth whose grandfather's cousin (Thomas Hall) was the solicitor who owned the boat from 1875-1882. They had trouble finding a crew because the repairs on the boat were bodged. Apparently, the wood around the stern was rotten and was repaired using screws instead of the copper bolt. The man who was called in to make the repairs objected but nonetheless did the job as instructed. He said later that he would carry his guilt to the grave. "I just wonder whether there isn't some kind of debt to pay over the loss of Richard Parker, the death of Dudley (who was honest about the whole affair) and the guilt of the old boat builder." says Barbra. "And I wonder what Dudley's descendents feel and what did his children feel as they grew up surrounded by such a haunting story?" (The Mignonette had a sister ship called the Peregrine)

Copyright Craig Hamilton-Parker
(Available for press, radio and TV interviews)

Some strange letters
From people who also have experienced strange coincidences linked to this Story