The Garthpool was the last of the British deep-sea windjammers. Forty years ago she set sail from Hull on what was to be her final voyage, for she was wrecked on the Cape Verde Islands on 11 November 1929.
One of her crew was 23-year-old Stan Hugill, an able seaman and shantyman - 'that's the man,' he explains,' who sings the songs used when you're hauling the ropes or setting sail or manning the capstan...' Hugill is one of the last genuine shantymen in the country, and in this film he talks - and sings - of the Garthpool's historic voyage.