Waterwags

he Shankill Corinthian Sailing Club realised that there was potential to freeze yacht design, to a particular date, so that all the yachts in a race would be built to the same ‘model,’ and that a race would be a test of skill. In order to test the theory, they decided initially to build boats to the smallest possible size, and if the idea worked that they would apply the same idea to larger yachts. Specifications were discussed among interested parties, who settled on a double-ended clincher built boat, 13ft. of standing rig and a modest spinnaker. Thomas (Ben) Middleton prepared a sketch plan to reflect what was required. This sketch was sent to boat builders for quotations, including Robert McAllister of Dunbarton, Scotland. It appears that McAllister redrew the plans, with more detail, and he consulted with yacht designer G.L. Watson to finalise some of the details. Lapthorn & Ratseys of Gosport were asked to make a proposal for the most efficient sail plan for such a small boat, so they opted for a single lugsail supported on a mast with a curved yard. The first boat ‘Eva,’ costing about £14 delivered to Kingstown, was launched on 1 January 1886, the year of Queen Victoria’s jubilee. The first event for the new boats was a cruise in company to Vance’s Place at Blackrock on Easter Monday 11 April 1887. The boats were deemed to be easily handled. The first race was held on the following day. The race management in Kingstown Harbour consisted of the Officer of the Day anchoring his boat off the third lamp standard on Victoria Wharf, where he took entry fees of 1s per boat. Eva, Yum Yum, Brenda, and Dot competed. Oof Bird failed to pay her entry fee. Instead of using a cannon or starting gun, the start time was set at 12.30. The Town Hall clock chimed on the quarter hours, so the Water Wags had a preparatory signal at 12.15, and started on the chime at 12.30. The number of boats increased quickly with thirteen being built in the first year. By 1899, it was realised that the rules were not strict enough, and that double ended boats were expensive to build. A modified design 14’-3” long with a transom stern was prepared by James Doyle costing £15. Strict regulations were prepared as to materials of planking, and how the sail area would be deployed between a mainsail and a jib. It is this boat which is sailed today.