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Seaviews are Jewels There has been some correspondence recently concerning a yacht called Emerald (Letters, CB292, 293, 294), which had been identified by one of your readers as one of the Jewel class. I could be completely wrong, but from what I found out while researching the history of my boat (Tarifa, 1909, designed by GU Laws and built by the Burnham Yacht Building Co), I understood that the Jewel class was created from the original fleet of Seaview Mermaids when they were replaced by a new fleet of bermudan-rigged boats, designed by Alfred Westmacott, and built by Woodnutts of St Helens in the spring and summer of 1922. There was, in fact, an article in CB34 by Roderick Kalberer: “The old Seaview Mermaids were sold and taken by train to the Medway Yacht Club where they were renamed and known as the Jewel Class – Jade, Crystal, Onyx, Pearl, Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby. Later they were sold to individual club members and became known as the Medway One Designs.” Pearl is, as far as I know, the only surviving member of the original class of Seaview Mermaids, but how nice it would be if another one turned up. A replica, Mizpah (CB291, cover) was built more recently and lies off Seaview in the summer. The Seaview Mermaids were drawn by GU Laws and built by Arthur Taylor at Sandown. They were 25ft (7.6m) long and 17ft (5.2m) at the waterline. The rig was optional, as in the Redwing craft of the Bembridge Sailing Club. They were delivered to the Seaview Yacht Club from 1907 at a cost of £70 each. Mark Hickman, by email
Ensign etiquette I have it in my education and memory that the national ensign, when shown at the poop, is always set on the starboard side. This week, I have the pleasure to see the beautiful schooner Meteor from Huisman in front of my window, her national ensign (BVI, for tax reasons) standing proudly on port! How come that the principle of showing the ensign on starboard is ignored/considered worthless by many of today’s yachtsmen? Rob Grommé, La Ciotat, France John Perryman replies: As far as we know there is no etiquette in Great Britain about which side of the taffrail the ensign staff is positioned. It is often offset to avoid a backstay or stern lamp, but as to which side, we know of no convention.
Has she found Nirvana? My wife and I are trying to locate the whereabouts of this vessel, or indeed, whether she still exists. My wife lived aboard with her parents from 1947 until 1958. They ran the Westcountry Yacht Charters during this period, here in Falmouth harbour, until my father-in-law’s death in 1958. The vessel was called Nirvana, she was 72ft (22m) long, built by White of Cowes in 1892. Unfortunately, when
Help locate a boat
she was sold in 1958, the new owner removed the counter stern, for reasons unknown, and her funnel was also removed. It is believed that she was then sold on to another owner, who took her to the East Coast. As this vessel has deep personal memories for my wife, we would greatly appreciate any help in locating her, or of any knowledge regarding her. Derek and Jann Dawes, Penryn
READER’S BOAT OF THE MONTH
Yes, she’s a Yarecraft Saleroom, in your latest edition (CB294), seeks help identifying a “mystery sportsboat”. A penny to a pound, the boat illustrated is a Yarecraft. These were built in Great Yarmouth, and then Lowestoft, during the later ‘50s and early ‘60s. Some models where shaped from ply sheets (like the one in your photo), others were coldmoulded from wood strip. They were extensively raced, particularly by the owner of the company, Francis Holmes, on Oulton Broad. I attach a photo of Tarka (there’s a contemporary name for you!), my family’s Yarecraft moored at Surlingham Ferry on the – where else? – River Yare. Tarka, and the boat in your photo, are probably Sea Sprays. There were many models, all with Sea in the title, and even a small cabin cruiser. Mark Wells, by email
CLASSIC BOAT JANUARY 2013
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