Shamrock V
Encyclopedia
Shamrock V was the first British yacht to be built to the new J Class rule. It was commissioned by Sir Thomas Lipton for his fifth (and ultimately last) America’s Cup challenge.
were once again employed to design the challenger and it was constructed at the Camper and Nicholsons
yard in Gosport
. Shamrock V was built wood, with mahogany planking over steel frames and, most significantly, a hollow spruce mast. Following its launch on the 14th April 1930 it showed early promise on the British Regatta circuit winning 15 of 22 races. It also underwent continuous upgrading with changes to its hull shape, rudder and modifications to the rig to create a more effective racing sail plan, before departing to America in time for the 14th America’s Cup.
Four New York syndicates responded to Lipton’s challenge each creating a J Class, Weetamoe, Yankee, Whirlwind and Enterprise. This was a remarkable response particularly during depression hit America with each yacht costing at least half a million dollars; and would serve to highlight that despite the J Classes immense power and beauty, their Achilles heel would be the exorbitant cost to construct and race them. Winthrop Aldrick’s syndicates, Enterprise, emerged from the competitive round robins as the eventual defender.
Enterprise was the smallest J Class to be built, its size being an early indication of the ruthless efficiency that was employed by the renowned naval architect Starling Burgess. The efficiency of design was coupled to a number of pioneering features such as its Park Avenue Boom, hidden lightweight winches and the world’s first duralumin
mast.
parted and her sail collapsed to the deck. The forth race clinched the cup for Enterprise after which Sir Thomas Lipton was heard to utter “I can’t win”.
Shamrock V’s challenge was plagued by bad luck and haunted by one of the most ruthless skippers in America’s Cup history, Harold Venderbilt. For Sir Thomas Lipton, after endearing himself to the American public during 31 years and five attempts he would die the following year never fulfilling his ambition to win the cup.
.
Shamrock V was then sold to Sopwith’s aviation friend, and fellow yachtsman, Sir Richard Fairey of Fairey Aviation
who continued to incorporate aerodynamic and hydrodynamic modifications as well as campaigning it against other J Classes (Velshell, Endeavour
and Yankee) during the 1935 regatta season. In 1937 Shamrock was sold to the Italian senator and industrialist Mario Crespi. This change in ownership prompted Shamrock’s only change in name. Italian Fascist law had banned the use of foreign names in society, accordingly Shamrock V was renamed “Quadrifoglio” (cloverleaf). Crespi was also the first owner who modified Shamrock V not for performance, but for comfort by installing its maple interior.
A renaissance for Shamrock V began in 1962 with its acquisition by the Italian yachtsman Peior Scanu. He instigated a comprehensive three year overhaul commencing in 1967 with Shamrock V returning to the Camper and Nicholsons
yard. The hull and deck receiving significant attention along with the modernisation of the systems and engines.
The effects of this rebuild were to last the next twenty years during which a remarkable repeat of history was enacted in 1986 when it returned to the ownership of the Lipton
Tea Company who donated it to the Museum of Yachting at Newport, Rhode Island. Another extensive restoration was instigated by its new owners and undertaken by Elizabeth Meyer
in 1989.
Following changes of ownership in the 1990s and another renovation, Shamrock V participated in a fitting reunion in August 2001 with the only two remaining J Classes (Endeavour
and Velsheda) for the America's Cup Jubilee in the Solent
.
Origins
The services of Charles NicholsonCharles Nicholson
Sir Charles Nicholson, 1st Baronet was a British-Australian politician, university founder, explorer, pastoralist, antiquarian and philanthropist...
were once again employed to design the challenger and it was constructed at the Camper and Nicholsons
Camper and Nicholsons
Camper and Nicholsons are the oldest leisure marine company in the world, producing and managing yachts for the world's richest people.As Camper and Nicholsons was founded at Gosport, Hampshire before organised seawater yachting had even started, John Nicholson of the founding family once overheard...
yard in Gosport
Gosport
Gosport is a town, district and borough situated on the south coast of England, within the county of Hampshire. It has approximately 80,000 permanent residents with a further 5,000-10,000 during the summer months...
. Shamrock V was built wood, with mahogany planking over steel frames and, most significantly, a hollow spruce mast. Following its launch on the 14th April 1930 it showed early promise on the British Regatta circuit winning 15 of 22 races. It also underwent continuous upgrading with changes to its hull shape, rudder and modifications to the rig to create a more effective racing sail plan, before departing to America in time for the 14th America’s Cup.
Four New York syndicates responded to Lipton’s challenge each creating a J Class, Weetamoe, Yankee, Whirlwind and Enterprise. This was a remarkable response particularly during depression hit America with each yacht costing at least half a million dollars; and would serve to highlight that despite the J Classes immense power and beauty, their Achilles heel would be the exorbitant cost to construct and race them. Winthrop Aldrick’s syndicates, Enterprise, emerged from the competitive round robins as the eventual defender.
Enterprise was the smallest J Class to be built, its size being an early indication of the ruthless efficiency that was employed by the renowned naval architect Starling Burgess. The efficiency of design was coupled to a number of pioneering features such as its Park Avenue Boom, hidden lightweight winches and the world’s first duralumin
Duralumin
Duralumin is the trade name of one of the earliest types of age-hardenable aluminium alloys. The main alloying constituents are copper, manganese, and magnesium. A commonly used modern equivalent of this alloy type is AA2024, which contains 4.4% copper, 1.5% magnesium, 0.6% manganese and 93.5%...
mast.
America’s Cup
The first of the best of seven races was a convincing victory for Enterprise winning by nearly three minutes. Shamrock V was to fair worse in the second race loosing by nearly 10 minutes. The third race finally provided the ensembled thousands on the shore at Newport with the racing they had craved for. Shamrock V’s initial lead at the start was relinquished to Enterprise after a tacking duel. Following this surrender disaster struck, as Shamrock’s main halyardHalyard
In sailing, a halyard or halliard is a line that is used to hoist a sail, a flag or a yard. The term halyard comes from the phrase, 'to haul yards'...
parted and her sail collapsed to the deck. The forth race clinched the cup for Enterprise after which Sir Thomas Lipton was heard to utter “I can’t win”.
Shamrock V’s challenge was plagued by bad luck and haunted by one of the most ruthless skippers in America’s Cup history, Harold Venderbilt. For Sir Thomas Lipton, after endearing himself to the American public during 31 years and five attempts he would die the following year never fulfilling his ambition to win the cup.
Post Cup Career
The British aviation industrialist Sir Thomas Sopwith was to be the next custodian of Shamrock V. Already a keen yachtsman Sopwith bought her in 1932 as a trails horse to gain experience of J class racing. He would also add to Nicholson’s skills with his own aeronautical expertise and material knowledge to build and perfect his challenger for the 13th America’s cup, EndeavourEndeavour
- Organizations :* Endeavor , a non-profit organization based in New York, New York* Endeavour , a non-profit organisation in Queensland, Australia* Christian Endeavor International...
.
Shamrock V was then sold to Sopwith’s aviation friend, and fellow yachtsman, Sir Richard Fairey of Fairey Aviation
Fairey Aviation
The Fairey Aviation Company Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer of the first half of the 20th century based in Hayes in Greater London and Heaton Chapel and RAF Ringway in Greater Manchester...
who continued to incorporate aerodynamic and hydrodynamic modifications as well as campaigning it against other J Classes (Velshell, Endeavour
Endeavour
- Organizations :* Endeavor , a non-profit organization based in New York, New York* Endeavour , a non-profit organisation in Queensland, Australia* Christian Endeavor International...
and Yankee) during the 1935 regatta season. In 1937 Shamrock was sold to the Italian senator and industrialist Mario Crespi. This change in ownership prompted Shamrock’s only change in name. Italian Fascist law had banned the use of foreign names in society, accordingly Shamrock V was renamed “Quadrifoglio” (cloverleaf). Crespi was also the first owner who modified Shamrock V not for performance, but for comfort by installing its maple interior.
A renaissance for Shamrock V began in 1962 with its acquisition by the Italian yachtsman Peior Scanu. He instigated a comprehensive three year overhaul commencing in 1967 with Shamrock V returning to the Camper and Nicholsons
Camper and Nicholsons
Camper and Nicholsons are the oldest leisure marine company in the world, producing and managing yachts for the world's richest people.As Camper and Nicholsons was founded at Gosport, Hampshire before organised seawater yachting had even started, John Nicholson of the founding family once overheard...
yard. The hull and deck receiving significant attention along with the modernisation of the systems and engines.
The effects of this rebuild were to last the next twenty years during which a remarkable repeat of history was enacted in 1986 when it returned to the ownership of the Lipton
Lipton
Lipton is a brand of tea currently owned by Unilever.-History of Lipton Tea:Lipton was created at the end of the 19th century by a grocer, Sir Thomas Lipton, in Glasgow, Scotland. In 1893, he established the Thomas J. Lipton Co., a tea packing company with its headquarters and factory in Hobo ken,...
Tea Company who donated it to the Museum of Yachting at Newport, Rhode Island. Another extensive restoration was instigated by its new owners and undertaken by Elizabeth Meyer
Elizabeth Meyer
Elizabeth E Meyer, was born in Baltimore in 1953. She was instrumental in the restoration of the J Class Yachts beginning with Endeavour in the mid 1980s. She is married to Michael McCaffrey.-Life:...
in 1989.
Following changes of ownership in the 1990s and another renovation, Shamrock V participated in a fitting reunion in August 2001 with the only two remaining J Classes (Endeavour
Endeavour
- Organizations :* Endeavor , a non-profit organization based in New York, New York* Endeavour , a non-profit organisation in Queensland, Australia* Christian Endeavor International...
and Velsheda) for the America's Cup Jubilee in the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
.
Further reading
- Ranulf Rayner,The Story of the America's Cup 1851-2007 (David Bateman, 2007) ISBN 978-1-86953-670-1