A curious photo of Shamrock

[Giulietta]

Last Saturday while having breakfast at Fred's sailing club, the Clube Naval de Lisboa, founded in 1862, I was looking at some original (I believe) photos they have hanging around the walls...I've seen them 100's of times..

However, there was and is a particular one I like...this one here attracted my attention everytime ...it shows a nice overhang boat, with a broken mast...the stern reads "Shamrock" ..yes...the real Shamrock...so I took a photo of the photo, sorry for the quality...this had me thinking....this whole deal about performance boats and material wear and stress is not something new...look...it was happening in 1890's...so what's this fuss about material wear and stress now...old news...old news..I think now there is more media coverage




So in a way...it does not worry me..

[T34C]

G- You are exactly right. Equipment / material failure is an age old problem. When new materials are developed that are stronger, they don't just substitute the stronger material. Generally manufacturers roll out a product made from a new material touting that they got the same strength using less and making the new product light/faster/etc... Many of these developments have been used to make products more profitable, not always better.
Very Cool photo. Was it taken in Portugual. Is there a story that goes along with it by any chance?

[TrueBlue]

Giu,
The original Shamrock was a J Class boat built by Sir Thomas Lipton (Lipton Tea) for the Americas Cup races held in Newport, RI.
Being a local, I've seen hundreds of photos of Shamrock through the years - they're framed in many public places on the island, that photo in Portugal must be a reproduction because I've seen it in Newport. For some history on Shamrock check out this site

EDIT - Here's another site listing all J-class boats built during that era.

EDIT - correct "soup" to tea

[T34C]

TB- Is there a record of Shamrock being dismasted around there?

[TrueBlue]

Good question T34, offhand I can't say - since that 1930 race series was just a little before my time (g). I'm sure though it can be found if someone wants to devote the time to it.

A quick Google search turned up this article, without specifics.

[tdw]

Ok chaps which Shamrock is it ? Both Shamrock III and Shamrock V were dismasted in trials before going to the US for the cup. It was after SV's dismasting that Thomas Lipton gave up and sold SV to Tommy Sopwith. Yes, that, Tommy Sopwith, he of Camel fame.

I couldn't find any record of a dismasting during the Cup itself.

Cool pic Alex. Do you have the Beken of Cowes book ? I'm sure it's still in print but was published at least 20 years ago.


Edit - S II was also dismasted, horror of horrors with the King of England onboard. That was in 1901 btw. He had been invited out to watch the Shamrocks 1 and 2 race each other and decided he'd rather be on board S2 than be a mere spectator.

[TrueBlue]

This photo from Mystic Seaport archives - shows Shamrock V being renovated in nearby New London, CT - Could she have gone there after the dismasting?



Edit - didn't see td's post

[TrueBlue]

Originally Posted by tdw

Ok chaps which Shamrock is it ? Both Shamrock III and Shamrock V were dismasted in trials before going to the US for the cup.

Can't tell from the transom if that's a V or a III after the name, even after zooming in. Does appear to resemble a III, though.

[tdw]

Originally Posted by TrueBlue

Giu,
The original Shamrock was a J Class boat built by Sir Thomas Lipton (Lipton Soup) .

Soup ??????

[TrueBlue]

My error - Tea.

Lipton Instant Soup came later - long after Sir Thomas's demise. He proably rolled over with his name associated to that invention.