Originally constructed in 1929 at the Faarborg shipyard in Denmark, the 69 foot gaff rigged ketch once known as ‘Johanne Regina’ is a historic vessel with a fascinating story to tell. In her early days, Johanne Regina was used extensively as a trading vessel and by the 1970s she began a journey to the West Indies. 

It was in Antigua, 1974, that Edward Allcard spotted the neglected vessel on a slipway and asked it’s owners if they’d be willing to part with it. Unfortunately for the Allcard family, the boat was not for sale. It wasn’t until the owners tempted fate by changing the vessel’s name that they fell on hard times and eventually agreed to sell. 

For the Allcard family this was the beginning of an exciting new venture and having sold all their possessions to buy the boat, they immediately got started with restoration work. Living aboard the Johanne Regina was a relentless task of repairing and maintaining  the vessel, balanced against their responsibility to educate their daughter Katy while living on board. 

Oceanic Adventure

The family's travels took them from the Caribbean to England, Denmark and the Mediterranean before the family sailed through the Suez Canal and reaching the Seychelles. It is here that the family had a traditional residence and they planned to dive for treasure. 

For over 30 years the yacht was owned by Edward and Clare Allcard. It was during this time that the family wrote their iconic travel book ‘A Gypsy Life’, detailing their challenges and adventures over the 12 years the family spent together on board. 

Prior to this venture Mr Allcard was already an accomplished yachtsman, becoming the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean single handedly in 1949 - not just once, but in both directions. On his return journey through the Azores, he inadvertently took on board a young female stowaway. 

According to the book's synopsis, on their way "they were rammed and almost sunk by a 50 foot French fishing boat, raided by the Italian Mafia, attacked by the Ethiopian Navy, and fired upon, captured, and jailed for spying by the South Yemenis. Between times, in remote ports around the world, they struggled to rebuild their boat and educate their daughter".

A New Chapter For Ciutat Badalona

Years later and the Johanne Regina was kept docked at Torredembarra, south of Barcelona. Laura and Edward Allcard lived in Andorra in their senior years but Mr Allcard continued to drive to Torredembarra to work on the vessel for months at a time. This continued until he was in his late eighties when it was decided that Johanne Regina would take her final voyage under ownership of the Allcard family. 

After sailing the Johanne Regina to Barcelona, Edward sold the vessel to a non-profit group who were looking for a boat which represented traditional sailing techniques. Johanne Regina was the perfect fit, and she was taken on by the group who renamed the historic vessel ‘Ciutat Badalona’.

Daniel Gijon of the Associacio d’Amics del Quetx Ciutat Badalona (AAqCB) is pictured as he plays his ACME Boatswain Pipe aboard the Ciutat Badalona, a 69 foot Gaff Rigged Ketch originally built in 1929.

Daniel contacted us to purchase a Boatswain Pipe because he felt it would be perfect for a vessel that has such a rich and varied history. 

Thank you Daniel for getting in touch and telling us about this terrific yacht. It's a privilege for us to be associated with it.

Maritime whistles - boatswain's pipe Boatswain's pipe whistle in gift box with certificate of authenticity.