Maritime record MWX4881 - Shamrock III

Shamrock III, an America's Cup challenger, was de-masted in Weymouth Bay in 1903.

Shamrock III, an America's Cup challenger, was de-masted in Weymouth Bay in 1903. (1) At the beginning of the twentieth century the waters of Weymouth Bay were frequently the venue for major yacht races. Llewellyn Pridham described these events in The Dorset Coastline ‘What more glorious spectacle can be imagined than these yachts – the big boats ¬– which used to compete in the Royal Dorset Yacht Club’s regatta. To be afloat when these craft were racing was an experience never to be forgotten: canvases aglow with the yellow sunlight shining through the taut panels: driving past with an organ note of drumming sails; spray at their bows, the green water sliding away under the counter, going .. “at a speed of knots!” ‘ But sometimes these spectacular craft came to grief. This photograph shows Shamrock III after being dismasted on the 17th April 1903. The elegant steam yacht in the background may be that owned by Sir Thomas Lipton, the owner of Shamrock III.(3)

Record last edited

May 6 2004 10:24AM