Location

Sunday 30 September 2012

Dundrum Harbour, Co. Down [between 1880-1900]..... old glass plate






The Lawrence Photograph Collection
National Library of Ireland
http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000333135

Saturday 29 September 2012

Isambard Kingdom Brunel - SS Great Britain aground at Dundrum Bay in Northern Ireland in 1846







When the SS. Great Britain was launched she was the largest ship in the world weighing in at a colossal 1930 tons. Her maiden voyage to New York on 26 July 1845 was completed in an astounding fourteen days and showed her ability to do safe and speedy passages. Although she could take up to 252 passengers served by 130 crew, her voyages did not generate much money for her owners as they had miscalculated the demand for their services. When the Great Britain ran aground at Dundrum Bay in Northern Ireland in 1846, her engines were ruined and the expense of re-floating her so drained the finances of her owners that she was sold to Gibbs Bright and Company, who used her to great effect on the Australian run.
S.S. Great Britain
Gold had been recently discovered over there and so the Great Britain was remodelled as a fast luxury emigrant carrier and her accommodation was rebuilt to accommodate 750 passengers. Between 1855 and 1856 the British Government chartered the ship to transport troops to and from the Crimea War. Over 44000 troops were carried during the course of the conflict. Later she was again chartered to carry troops, this time to quell the Indian Mutiny. In 1861 she carried the very first English cricket team to tour Australia. The tour was a great success with England playing twelve games of which she won six, drew four and only lost two


source - http://www.submerged.co.uk/great-britain.php

Monday 24 September 2012

Dundrum Harbour - Harbour Information - from Visit My Harbour for Free Nautical Charts and Pilotage, UK Wide Coverage

Courtesy Flag

Flag, Red Ensign

Waypoint  

54˚13.35N 005˚ 48.4W This is within D401 but it is impossible to get into Dundrum without infringing this Danger Area.

Charts

AC 044-0 Nose of Howth to Ballyquintin point. Imray C62 Irish Sea

Rules & Regulations

D401 is used for small arms up to Mortar and Anti Tank weapons and the seaward side of it is essentially a safety area for “over throws”. When the range is active they fly Red Flags by day and red lights by night. The presence of these flags does not prohibit passage through the danger area. The authorities can expect that you will not linger in the area and they operate on the “Clear Range” principle. Range control is not contactable either by phone or VHF but, if you need to cross the range and the red flags are being flown, call Belfast Coastguard on #16 and they can contact the RSO.

Hazards

Drying and awash rocks, see "Approach and Entry"

Tidal Data Times & Range

HW is HW Belfast +0005 MHWS 4.8m MHWN 3.8m MLWN 1.8m MLWS 0.8m The streams into and out of the lagoon and in the anchorage are quite strong but unspecified.

This site is designed for slower, roaming broadband connections, like you would get at sea, so it needs JavaScript enabled to expand the text. Click here to show the fully expanded version

General Description

Dundrum harbour lies in a lagoon approached through a narrow channel with a sand bar at the seaward end.  The harbour was a fairly busy port and at one stage they tried to operate a ferry service from here to England but the tidal access limited that developement. Nevertheless it remained active as a port until the 1980’s but the competition from the other harbours on the East Coast finally brought that period of its history to an end.

At various stages during the last two centuries there have been ambitious plans by its successive owners to enhance its attraction to the tourist trade; at one stage they had even hoped to build baths and turn it into a spa town for the rehabilitation of invalids et alia but these were never followed through to their conclusion. The result is that the main attraction here is its castle and the total lack of more raucous resort “amenities”!! ... read more

Approach

Between the entrance to Dundrum channel and St John’s Point, all the way round the bay there is a scattering of rocks, drying, awash and hidden up to a mile off the shore;  you need an offing of at least a mile and it is not possible to route in a straight line from the Point to the channel. From the southern side the only rock to look out for is the Roaring Rock off Dunmore but is only two and a half cables off the shore so in the normal way of things should not cause a problem.  The main hazard here is the depth of the unbuoyed channel into the anchorage; it is recommended that the approach should only be undertaken by shallow draft boats in settled conditions. That’s not to say it is not possible for fin keel boats; it has been done in recent years, at HWS and very, very carefully. ... read more

Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring

If you need to take on water, fuel of other stores it is possible to tie alongside the quay for a couple of hours either side of HW.  The harbour is unmanned, so no harbour dues.

Dundrum Bay Shoreline - The Quay - fine art b&w print

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/dundrum-bay-shoreline-quay-county-down-northern-ireland-joe-fox.html

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Bembridge Illusions - yes it may be winter soon but sailing most certainly doesn't have to stop

             
          
                                                        
see also links to International 2.4 class as used in recent paralympic games


Sailability - a scheme run by the Royal Yachting Association

example videos






Sailability is a scheme run by the Royal Yachting Association. It enables people with disabilities to take up sailing under the supervision of specially trained instructors

The "Gwen" project - Dundrum Sailing Club to get it's first sailability modified Lightning


A visitor to our open day is now in possession of the derelict Lightning "Gwen" very kindly donated by another member.
It is to note that this new owner has given me permission to reveal that he suffers with M.S. & accordingly within the aims of our club has very interestingly decided to enter into a project of modifying Gwen to meet his needs.
Given the current state of "Gwen" ...........well anything is possible & if you have the opportunity to meet this gentleman at his home then you will get an idea of the scale his inventiveness & willingness to adapt to his circumstances.
In order to meet the needs of the Gwen project other members will be donating some masts & spars & probably some sails suitably cut down. (anyone else who has old sails they don't need ....size about Flying15, 5o5 etc please chirp up)
It is also to be noted that the new owner of Gwen has kindly donated to our club a 420 dinghy, which though in need of some repair could very well be of great use to us as an intro / trainer.
Good luck to Gwen
click on links to ... Sailability
click on links to .... Dundrum Sailing Club constitution
click on links to .... application for membership

Monday 17 September 2012

Olin J Stephens - (1908-2008) - Lightning designer - mystic seaport video


Olin J. Stephens II, America's preeminent yacht designer of the 20th century -- died September 13, 2008 -- five months to the day after celebrating his 100th birthday





Widely recognized as the most respected, admired and accomplished yacht designer of the 20th century, Stephens once said, "I was lucky: I had a goal. As far back as I can remember, I wanted to design fast boats." And this is exactly what he did. He began his career at the age of 19 working as an apprentice for successful 6-meter yacht designer Phillip Rhodes. On November 11,1929, the 21-year-old Stephens joined forces with well-known yacht broker Drake Sparkman and Sparkman & Stephens, Inc. was formed. The naval architecture and yacht design firm's first major design -- a yacht named Dorade -- won the much-publicized 1931Trans-Atlantic Race. She then went on to win the 1936 TransPac, finishing first in class and first overall. A new era of yacht design had begun.

Stephens' name is most often associated with the prestigious America's Cup Race. In 1937, he collaborated with W. Starling Burgess to design the Super-J, Ranger, which was later selected to defend the Cup after only seven races. Sparkman & Stephens went on to design many of the most revered 12-Meters that raced for the Cup, including Columbia, Constellation, Freedom, Intrepid and Courageous. In 1993, Stephens' and his winning designs were honored when he was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame.

Stephens designed more than 2,000 boats throughout his career, many of which still grace the water today. After eight decades of brilliant work, he has left a lasting impact on the maritime community. His numerous designs, contributions and commitment to the worlds of yacht racing and cruising are cherished, as is he.

This video is a tribute to his life and legacy

Sunday 16 September 2012

Early photo with Doris D (K15) @ Strangford

Products used in restoration of Doris D

SP 106 - Multi-Purpose Epoxy System

Local supplier
MB Fibreglass

What ever happened to the "Doris D"

Doris D - International Lightning K15, (photo 16/09/2012) undergoing extensive renovations to fore deck & plate case. Not shown is the re-glueing & epoxy coating of the mast.

Incidently Doris D was first constructed 1957 by Bertie Murphy of Killyleagh and therefore is testament to the potential durability & restorability of these interesting craft.



Incidently Doris D was first constructed 1957 by Bertie Murphy of Killyleagh and therefore now is testament to the potential durability & restorability of these interesting craft.



extract

" ...The two youngest boats, with the advantage of their new sails, still continued to dominate the weekly racing. A report on Killyleagh Yacht Club‟s Invitation Races of 1958 states:-
"In the Lightning race, Bertie Murphy in Doris D, one of last year’s new boats, romped away from the line showing a clean pair of heels to the end; never at any time was he given opposition". ...."



" ...... In 1970 another new Lightning joined the fleet. Hustler, built by Denis Bennett during the winter and she was the third boat to be officially registered and proved to be very successful winning several regattas that year including Killyleagh regatta, ahead of Janice B and Elk.
Spinnakers became the new must-have accessory in the early 70‟s, with the fleet members ordering these in. Bertie Murphy in Doris D was the first to receive his and this increased sail area "blew the Lightning out of the water"  .........

Dundrum 2012

Saturday 15 September 2012

RS200 - visitor from Newcastle Co Down @ Dundrum Regatta 2012

Lightnings & Wychcraft at Strangford - I wonder how many of these are still in active service?


does anyone know the year, if so please contact ....(admin) dundrum.sailing@btinternet.com

Thunder'n - a one man lift off using Lidl hoist. Drying out for epoxy internal treatment & "lift off" 2013 season.




Can't get your Lightning off it's trailer ....but have you seen what Lidl sells for about £60?

250kg maximum capacity electric hoist with pulley and remote lifting control. Support brackets supplied. 125kg capacity without pulley. Lifting height 10m without pulley, 5m with pulley.

Close action White Knuckles built 2005 & Rainbow 2 built 1987

Friday 14 September 2012

Lightning - Sparkman & Stephens - Design 265

extract from - http://sparkmanstephens.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/lightning-design-265.html


Here is the venerable Lightning. The Lightning was designed in 1938. She's a hard chined centerboarder capable of planing. From her humble beginnings the boat has evolved in to a fairly technical racing boat. Over 15,000 boats have been built to this design.

It is rumored that the rights to this design were sold to the Lightning Class Association in 1939, and that Olin Stephens often stated he regretted it. The story is in fact true, the plans were sold to the Association on September 1, 1939 for $200. I have heard him explain away the situation by saying he never really thought the design would take off. I do think the gesture paid off in the long run however: many sailors started sailing in Lightnings and eventually moved into larger S&S boats so I think Olin ultimately did realize value from the transaction.

Here are the plans.


And here's a vintage brochure from Skaneateles Boats.


Principal Dimensions
LOA 19'-0"
LWL 16'-0"
Beam 6'-6"
Draft 4'-11"
Displacement 700 lbs
Sail Area 177 sq ft

When a picture says a thousand words.

Other club boats include Ballyholme Insect "Mantis" - same as RNSA 14 but built for Ballyholme Yacht Club from late 1940's

(about RNSA 14)

http://www.arthur-ransome.org/Members/mikem/rnsa-14ft-dinghy/view

The Royal Naval Sailing Association 14 ft dinghy (known throughout the fleet as the “Rensa dinghy”) was the main recreational and racing dinghy carried by most ships of the British and Commonwealth Navies from the early 1920s to the mid 1960s when they were superseded by the grp bo’s’un class sailing dinghy. RNSAs were constructed in the dockyards (and at HMS Caledonia) by shipwright apprentices as a major test job, with all parts (including the phosphor bronze fittings) being made in the shipwright shop.   read on

RNSA Dinghy KIWI - presented to Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh

RNSA Dinghy KIWI

In 1948 a 14ft sailing dinghy was presented to Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Named Kiwi, the boat was built in the workshop of HMNZ Dockyard, Devonport, New Zealand. Based on a standard design for the Royal Naval Sailing Association, she was modified slightly from the standard pattern, being slightly narrower beamed. In place of stern bench thwarts she was fitted with gratings for a more attractive finish. The timber used was Kauri Pine and Pohutukawa. The finish was varnish and her sails were made in the sail loft of the dockyard. Contrary to normal naval practice, the boat was not marked with any identifying names or numbers.

The Royal Navy Sailing Association (RNSA) 14ft dinghy was a modified version of the Island Class One Design dinghy, designed by Charles Nicholson and Uffa Fox in 1935. In 1937 the British Admiralty adopted the class, with modifications specified to adapt it for ship-board use. Its purpose was to provide sailors aboard ship with the opportunity to sail in boats other than heavy Service cutters and whalers. The gunter rig (avoiding the inconvenient length of the bermudian-rigged mast) made the boats suitable for transport on naval ships and their sturdy clinker construction made them ideal for launching from the shore when required.

The first six boats were ready for use on HMS Vernon in April 1938. Numbers steadily increased, replacing the 16ft skiff, which had been the smallest craft in the Royal Navy. The RNSA dinghy – or Rensa as it was commonly known - was in Service use for about 25 years until it was replaced by the fibreglass Bosun dinghy.

It’s not known whether the Royal couple used Kiwi to any great extent, but from the 1950s she was used by a number of sailing organisations and Sea Cadet Units. In 1952 George Vince, Director of the Southampton Sailing Centre, won first prize in her during Colne Week.

Length: 14ft (4.27m)
Beam: 5ft 7ins (1.7m)
Rig: Gunter sloop


http://www.nmmc.co.uk/index.php?/collections/archive/rnsa_dinghy_kiwi

Recollections of Sailboat Racing in Strangford by Bobby Magee

A History of the Wychcraft Class

In the winter of 1956/57 a search and debate to find a new class of boat to supplement the traditional punts was underway in Strangford.The young sailors who started crewing in the punts in the early 1950's had completed their apprenticeship in various trades and wished to own their own boats. Numerous enquiries were undertaken and many replies and recommendations received. Visits were arranged to Killyleagh to view and access the International Lightning Class that was established in the Club - some of this Class were owned and constructed by former classmates from Downpatrick Technical School. Adverts in yachting magazines brought replies from the National Flying Fifteen Association, the Yachting World 14' Dayboat, the Redwing Association from Devon amongst others. Senan Sharvin recommended the 14'Waterwag, a long established class from Dun Laoghaire and said he could obtain plans. The 17' Dublin Bay Mermaid was also talked about as being a suitable boat for racing on the river. This was the period of the dinghy ownership boom when lightweight marine plywood boats exploded on the scene, such as the GP14 and the Enterprise. These designs were considered but discarded on the grounds of safety as they were prone to capsizing, which in these waters could very easily lead to tragedy because of the strong tides and whirlpools. We could not compromise on safety. The limited woodworking skills within the group were another factor, and that was at the forefront of the thinking. In conclusion it was thought that a clinker built boat was beyond our capability. This ruled out several of the otherwise suitable designs. However, after all the considerations the best solution was found in Strangford itself. Leslie Peto had served as an Engineer in the Naval Air Sea Rescue fleet, which was based in Portaferry. His adventures in his off duty time took him to Strangford where he met and married a Strangford girl, Betty McKeown. When the hostilities of World War 2 ended the family moved to his home on the South Coast of England where he became one of the leading developers of the commercial caravan sites with a design called The Petone. By the mid 1950's failing health dictated the family return to the peace and quiet of Strangford and "semi retirement" Leslie Peto was not a man to sit with his feet up. He soon constructed a modern workshop on the former site of his father-in-law's abattoir. He was the supreme craftsman working with wood, metal or any other material. Leslie then turned his creative mind to building a boat. During his Naval Service he was impressed by the Royal Navy 14' (or Admiralty) dinghy and obtained a set of plans. The Royal Navy 14' (or Admiralty) dinghy was clinker built but Les chose to use the strip plank method of construction. Work on the project continued mostly behind closed doors. When the hull was near completion he required some welding done on the fittings so he made the acquaintance of Kevin Polly, a local motor mechanic and Sailing Club member. On examination of the new hull Kevin was highly impressed and in conversation told Les that the Club was looking for a new design and his craft was just what was needed. Les promised he would help in the building of a fleet. He had already agreed to build one for Alan McDowell. Kevin told his brother Malachy of the situation and he in turn relayed the news to myself. Inverbrena Local History Group Magazine 2004 3 A visit to the workshop was arranged and we were also suitably impressed with what we saw and gave great consideration to the proposals. The Ballyholme Insect Class is also based on the Admiralty dinghy so a visit to Bangor confirmed our assessment of the design. Senan Sharvin also visited the boat shed and said that the design was nearly identical to the Waterwag.The opinion of John Fitzsimmons, who sailed these dinghies at Plymouth and other ports when he served in the Royal Navy, was sought and he gave a very positive approval   ..... read on http://issuu.com/flixx/docs/inverbrena-2004

Have you one of these in the garage?

(extract) http://www.lightningclass.org/resources/historyLightning/Ireland/killyleagh.pdf





"So this year
the Lightning fleet has reached 65 years of successful racing in Strangford Lough. From the humble beginnings of Gwen 1 with her cotton sails, to the successful dry launched racing machines of today, the Lightning fleet has watched so many other classes come and go.
There could be many reasons given for their resilience, however one, more than any other stands out to the independent observer! They represent now, as they always have, a shining example of camaraderie as a fleet. Techniques and technologies are shared, tuning is often a group event and if ever a breakage happens someone in the fleet will be heard to say, "
I have one of those in the garage"!



For a Lightning sailor, the most important thing is to have people to race against! No one is left to bring up their boat alone, and after racing the fleet socialize together to discuss what could have been. The Lightnings are not so much a fleet as a family – perhaps this, more than anything else, is why they have endured!
Hopefully, as has happened before, the junior sailors of today will become the Lightning sailors of tomorrow and with a little luck, and some determination, the fleet will reach their 100
th anniversary in 2044"

Club aims include preservation of our boats - Thunder'n is 40 years old & still, it seems, hard to beat.

see - http://www.lightningclass.org/resources/historyLightning/Ireland/killyleagh.pdf




14469 Rainbow 4 powered up - dinghy handicap class vintage Ballyholme Insect "Mantis" to the right in photo

Dundrum Quay - close to the action