Set sail.
Our video series documenting the restoration of the Danish wooden fishing boat Leason, at the Underfall Yard in Bristol, is launching this autumn. Sign up below to get every update.
From the ashes
In May 2023, a huge fire broke out at the historic Underfall Yard in Bristol.
The fire ripped through the heart of the yard, destroying decades of work as boats and businesses were consumed by the flames.
Incredibly, Leason, a wooden Danish fishing kutter built in 1931 survived the blaze. Now we are documenting the painstaking process of restoring her as a testament to the incredible work of the Underfall Yard and its community.
Why Leason matters
Built in 1931 in Denmark, Leason is a remarkable survivor of a bygone era in fishing history. Originally named Corona, she was constructed at the Jensen and Lauridsen shipyard in Esbjerg and is a typical example of a hajkutter.
Developed by Danish shipwrights in the early 20th century, hajkutters are recognisable for their distinctive overhanging elliptical counter sterns. Despite their elegant lines, these boats were built to last, with their hand-sawn oak frames and heavy oak planking capable of withstanding the roughest seas off Greenland.
Between 1900 and WWII, Denmark produced 8,000-10,000 hajkutters.
Today, fewer than 200 of these beautiful boats remain, making Leason an important historical and cultural survior, linking Esbjerg, Grimsby and Bristol.
Join us as we explore the stories of original crew members, boat builders and the harbours she has called home over the decades.
Support us
Our goal is to get Leason back out to sea and sailing again. We now have a small but dedicated team working to restore the boat. To help us fund the restoration of Leason, and to allow us to continue to document her story, please donate today.