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Classic Boat, 19 Chelsea Wharf, 15 Lots Road, London SW10 0QJ. email:
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Memories of Myanmar
It was great to see the article in Yard News, May issue, about the cold- moulded ketch La Flûte Enchantée being restored in Myanmar. I spent six months in Myanmar Shipyard back in 2002 helping the Captain, Morgan Castle, complete the restoration of the 105ft (32m) Fife gaff cutter Moonbeam IV, before the America’s Cup in New Zealand. Your photo shows what looks like a solid shed complete with ‘western style’ (normal) scaffolding. We spent our life balancing on a bamboo construction out in the open while applying red lead putty, tar and endless strips of copper plate below the waterline. The result was a smooth, shiny finish but sea trials
found several leaks, and the necessary repairs, by Tommi Nielsen and his Gloucester Docks boys, meant the copper plates had to be peeled off and then rolled flat again. Needless to say, removing the tar was a job I think none of us will wish to repeat. The final result was slightly less fair! Despite the modern scaffolding it is refreshing to see that the yard workers are still in their flip-flops, as was always the case even for the lone welder, Dumbo, who operated millimetres from his toes.
But times are changing – sarongs have changed to shorts and one lad in the background even wears a dust mask! Andrew Cully, by email
Another photo of La Flûte – just to show bamboo scaffolding hasn’t entirely disappeared – Ed
A SCOD for satisfaction
I feel I should point out that in his letter (CB273) about South Coast One Designs being taken out of their home waters, Mr Spreckley was not speaking for the SCOD association. However, he has raised a valid point. It is a great shame for
SCODs to be taken away from the Solent area where they still race regularly. As a racer they really shine when the wind is between Force 5 and 7. The relatively tall mast gives ample sail area for the length of boat, and the heavy deep keel makes them stiff, only yielding in the strongest of gusts. So when all around you are reefed or broaching, your SCOD
just keeps on tracking straight, albeit a touch faster. The fractional bermudan rig makes her point well. And there are no derivatives, hybrids or pretenders; this makes for a pure class and there is nothing more satisfying than pure class racing. With the new trend for classic regattas, the SCOD fits the bill
just right. The number of SCODs getting involved in racing is gradually on the increase. This is to be encouraged as there are many SCODs underutilized, lying fallow or on the market. In 2007 Marbella, my SCOD, won the Silver Gilt Roman Bowl,
the top prize in the Round the Island Race. I cannot describe the feeling I enjoyed on that day, it was an emotional rocket ship ride. That feeling is out there for any SCOD sailor to experience. Mark Taylor, SCOD Class Captain.
What happened to Irina IV?
During my efforts to track-down all of my grandfather’s seven yachts named Irina, I have managed to locate six of them. The last of them – Irina VII, is sailing in the Med. Irina VI is the only Irina we are not able to track down.
When my grandfather Georg von Erpecom sold Irina V in 1937, his plan was already laid for Iina VI, a 15-Metre and one of two already designed by Johan Anker. The other one, for Alf Larsen, was built and delivered, and is still sailing, restored, under the Italian flag as Magda XIII. For some unknown reason, my Grandfather’s Anker-designed 15-M was not built; instead he went to England and bought the old Nebula,
a 75ft (22.9m) ketch built in 1913, which was given the name Irina VI when she got home to Bergen. He kept this classic ketch up to 1952, when she was sold to an old friend, Nordahl Wallem, who renamed her Anne Sophie. She was sold on in 1973 through a sales advertisement in Yachting World to a Mr Lonsdale of the UK, who was the owner of a chain of shops called Mean Machines. According to my information, he sailed her down to the Med in 1974/75, but the yacht apparently sunk in the Bay of Biscay. Are there any of your readers who could help us out here with more information on her? Jan-Erik Sverre Bergen, Norway
READERS’ BOATS
Olive Mary
Tell us about your boat – and check out our ‘Boat of the Month’ feature on
www.classicboat.co.uk
Maurice Griffiths gaff cutter, built by Harry King and Sons, Pin Mill, 1931. 25ft 6in LOD, 8ft 6in beam, 4ft 3in draught (7.8 x 2.6 x 1.3m). One of only three built by Kings to this design. Paul Rockey, by email
CLASSIC BOAT JULY 2011 97
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