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Lot Essay
Shamrock (V) was the last in a line of notable racing yachts with which the wealthy Sir Thomas Lipton made five unsuccessful challenges for the elusive America's Cup between 1899 and 1930. The fifth and last Shamrock was designed and built by Camper & Nicholson at Gosport in 1930 and had a 134 ton displacement. Measuring 119 feet in length with a 20 foot beam, she carried 7,540 square feet of sail and seemed more than a match for the American defender Enterprise right up until the first of the Cup's races on 13th September 1930. In the event, Enterprise won the series convincingly and Lipton died the following year with his ambition to bring the 'Auld Mug' home unfulfilled. After Lipton's death, Shamrock (V) was sold to Mr. C.R. Fairey and was still afloat, named Sea Song, after the Second World War.
Mr. T.O.M. (Tommy) Sopwith built two yachts, each named Endeavour, to mount his challenges for the America's Cup in the mid-1930s. Both Endeavours were J-Class yachts designed by Charles Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson at Gosport, the first being launched in 1934. Endeavour (I), displacing 143 tons and rigged to carry 7,560 square feet of sail, was considered the best J-Class boat of her day and came extremely close to winning the Cup races of 1934. Skippered by Sopwith himself and using a double-clewed jib designed by him, she was defeated by the American defender Rainbow by only the narrowest of margins.
Velsheda, another contemporary thoroughbred from the same yard and designer, was built for Mr. W.L. Stephenson, the Chairman of Woolworth's (U.K.) in 1933. Extremely fast, she was one of the legendary J-class yachts and even beat the King's Britannia on one celebrated occasion. Apart from her glittering career in the 1930s, during which she won many trophies for her owner, she now shares the distinction - along with Shamrock (V) and Endeavour (I) - of being one of the three remaining J-class boats which have survived until the present day and she is still racing competitively.
For details of Britannia, see lot 388.
Mr. T.O.M. (Tommy) Sopwith built two yachts, each named Endeavour, to mount his challenges for the America's Cup in the mid-1930s. Both Endeavours were J-Class yachts designed by Charles Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson at Gosport, the first being launched in 1934. Endeavour (I), displacing 143 tons and rigged to carry 7,560 square feet of sail, was considered the best J-Class boat of her day and came extremely close to winning the Cup races of 1934. Skippered by Sopwith himself and using a double-clewed jib designed by him, she was defeated by the American defender Rainbow by only the narrowest of margins.
Velsheda, another contemporary thoroughbred from the same yard and designer, was built for Mr. W.L. Stephenson, the Chairman of Woolworth's (U.K.) in 1933. Extremely fast, she was one of the legendary J-class yachts and even beat the King's Britannia on one celebrated occasion. Apart from her glittering career in the 1930s, during which she won many trophies for her owner, she now shares the distinction - along with Shamrock (V) and Endeavour (I) - of being one of the three remaining J-class boats which have survived until the present day and she is still racing competitively.
For details of Britannia, see lot 388.