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Shamrock V, 1930 -
America's Cup sloop challenger.
It had been a
highly emotional meeting between Charles E.Nicholson and
Nathanael Herreshoff during the Shamrock V and Resolute
measurement operations. The two men did not meet one another
until ten years later due to the visit arranged by Harold
Vanderbilt.
Nicholson
built Shamrock V in 1930. Yet again, he was unable to equal the
Americans.Although this time they did not have eight
years\\\\\\\' experience with the new International Rule, they
were out in force; for the 1930 challenge they built 4 J
Class.Charles Nicholson had only one chance to exploit the
formula to the hull.
Moreover the
Americans made faster progress than the English with their yacht
equipment. Shamrock V was not as fast as she was beautiful .
The last
challenge of Sir Thomas Lipton concluded with a disastrous
defeat against Enterprise. But his popularity in the United
State was such that the public response to a subscription to
award him a gold souvenir cup was massive. Overwhelmed, the
ordinarily loquacious gentleman was scarcely able to utter a few
words, \\\\\\\"Although I have always lost, you make me think I
have won. But I will try again, yes, I wil try again!\\\\\\\".
\\\\\\\"Tommy\\\\\\\", as he was affectionately known, was never
keep his promise. He died on October 2nd, 1931, a few months
after finally being admitted as a mumber of the Royal Yacht
Squadron.
Sixty years
later, Shamrock V was still sailing under an italian flag,
having been re-christened Quadrifoglio. She was repurchased in
1986 by the Thomas Lipton Company, given back her original name
and is now the property of the Newport Museum of Yachting,
founded by the Company.
Finally
Shamrock V has been refitted by the famous yachtlady Elizabeth
Meyer and is sailing worldwide for races and charter. One of her
recent greater victory was during the Antigua Classic Yacht
Regatta 1999, were she raced against the 2 other remaining J
Boats, Endeavour and Velsheda. |