Thomas Stow & Son Yachts 1866 – 1936,
Courtney & Birkett and Francis Suter
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries Thomas Stow & Son earned themselves a reputation internationally as a respected designer and builder of good quality luxury racing yachts and other types of boat at their shipyard on the river at Shoreham. In his book ‘The Ships and Mariners of Shoreham historian Henry Cheal lists some of their schooners, yawls, luggers and cutters. These were of high quality, well planned internally to give them a ‘roominess’ rarely matched by other makers. Besides supplying private customers Stows also built many of the boats that carried British troops up the river Nile for the 1884 Sudan Expedition.
The Stows originally came to Shoreham from Littlehampton during the first half of the 19th century when John Stow, a boat builder, moved at first in to the High Street then later to the modest Viaduct Cottages that were tucked into the narrow strip between the railway tracks where the Steyning line branches off from the main line. His eldest son Thomas was born at New Shoreham in 1828 and followed his father into the trade. By the late 1860’s Thomas had moved his own family to New Road, backing on to and immediately opposite the shipyard (now the Sussex Yacht Club) that they had acquired and then extended from the Dolphin Hard (where the footbridge is now) to the Surry Hard. It is around this time that Stows started making more of a name for themselves. Thomas’ first son Harry was one of eight siblings and although most of the sons joined their father in the business it was Harry as the eldest who was to inherit the business and, like his father, create their vessels’ successful designs.
The shipyard was soon partially covered by a huge, ugly, black-tarred shed to enable uninterrupted construction whatever the weather, a facility considered essential by Lloyds in the building of quality yachts and one that warranted particular mention in their registers (from which the information in these listings are taken). Although the English family in Shoreham had ceased their rope-making a few of them were still making sails at that time but mainly for Courtney & Birkett at Southwick. Stows did not seem to use them much at all, preferring as they did Ratsey and Lapthorn, the internationally recognised (and still are) sail-makers at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
The cabins within the larger yachts were constructed with teak, mahogany and oak then highly polished to provide a stunning vision of quality. Externally, the sleek lines of their racing yachts soon became very well known and attracted buyers from all over the world. The Stows were successful enough with their own designs but were never too proud to build craft designed by others including the famous yacht designers Albert Strange, Fred Shepherd, Linton Hope and Dixon Kemp. The larger racing yachts were certainly their forte but they also built smaller sailing craft and even a few screw-propelled vessels.
| Vessels Built 1860 – 1936 | |||||||
| 1860/69 | 1870/79 | 1880/89 | 1890/99 | 1900/09 | 1910/19 | 1920/29 | 1930/36 |
| 2 | 11 | 20 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
Production increased steadily over the years since the 1860’s almost certainly peaking in the 1880’s but for the fact that the figures shown here do not include the vessels constructed for the Sudan Expedition. What is surprising though is the large drop in production during the last few decades, a fact that isn’t remarked upon in records of the time. The late 1920’s and the 1930’s were of course the years of the Depression that may provide some of the answer except that the fall in the number of new vessels seems to have started some time before. No doubt though there was plenty of work carried out in the repair and updating of older craft and the building of much smaller dinghies and boats that the firm also made but were not recorded.
The Stows didn’t seem be a particularly wealthy family perhaps partly due to the fact that, despite their quality, their yachts were never over-priced (see ‘Voluta’ and George MacAndrew’s reasons for purchasing Stow built yachts) – no doubt a major reason for the continuous flow of orders during the boom years. At least a dozen Stow-built yachts are still sailing, some are over 130 years old, and some fetch prices now of over £1.5 million each.
The business was purchased by Lady Bee Ltd after Thomas Stow’s death in 1936 and moved downstream away from the town. Alan Upton’s delightful reminiscences of the Stow family business and the people that worked there can be seen in the Shoreham Herald ‘Bygones’ articles BY12, BY21, BY22 and BY53 on the Shorehambysea.com website.
The following does not pretend to include all the vessels that Stow & Sons have built but as far as is known this is the first time that a list of a significant number of their yachts (over 80 of them plus a dozen or so Courtney & Birkett and Suter yachts) have been identified and put together. It was interesting to note that, although changing vessel’s names may have been considered by sailors to be bad luck, many were changed, usually when purchased by new owners and in one instance (the ‘Yolande’) no less than seven times. Aside from the very smallest dinghies and boats that Stow made (but were not recorded) the smallest craft in the registers is the ‘Violet’ of 2 tons and 18 feet in length. This compares with the largest known ‘Lavengro’ that with its 134 tons and 89 feet length was almost of ship-like proportions.
Details from the Lloyds Yacht Registers have been supplemented with information and photographs of surviving vessels gleaned from the internet and from current day owners and yards that have contacted us. We are of course always happy to hear from others who know of any other Stow yachts that may still survive.
The Lloyds Yacht Registers
Not every piece of information in the registers has been included as this is more an historical record rather than a technical one. Nevertheless, engine specifications where fitted were considered an interesting addition as were linear ratings when given by the various yachting associations (but not an explanation of how they were calculated) which enabled handicaps to be imposed to even out size etc., advantages when racing. Similarly, where the standard method of measuring vessels’ dimensions are not included they are sometimes confusingly shown as ‘Thames Measurements’ which are again associated with handicapping (as well as a means of estimating harbour dues) but do result in marginally different figures to the standard ones.
The dimensions (L=length, b=breadth, d=depth) are in feet (they have been checked against dimensions of surviving vessels) although it is difficult to appreciate some of the measurements where the figures to two decimal places go beyond 12 inches? Vessels’ names are shown as they were at the time of the register record (i.e., 1903 and 1936) but earlier ‘ex’ names are also shown. Some were also given the name of a previous yacht so be aware of dimensions and build year to avoid confusion.
| Yacht | Year Built or Registered | Other details | Builder & Designer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abeona (ex Bo Peep) | 1868 | Yawl, wood (construction). 17.37 tons. L 46, b 12.5, d 8. Replacement sails made by Pannell & Hibbs 1893. Vessel altered 1879 by Stow. Owner R.F. Freeman – Shoreham home port | Stow & Son, Shoreham Builder & designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Aideen | 1886 | Yawl, wood. 24 tons. L 60.7, b 11.4, d 8.9. Sail area 2927.59, altered from Cutter 1899. Owner C.H. Schill – Liverpool home port | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Alba | 1876 | Schooner, wood. 42.67 tons. L 67.9 b 15.4, d 10.2. Owner E.H. Forwood – home port London | Stow & Son builder, Dixon Kemp designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Aleiope | See details for ‘Betty’ | |||
| Albicore | See details for ‘Nerissa’ | |||
| Alert | 1895 | Cutter, wood. 5 tons (Thames measurement) L 25, b 7.7, d 3.7. New sails made by Lapthorne (& Ratseys?) 1895. Owner J.L. Stanley – home port Hull | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Algol (ex Jessy, ex Margaret) | 1866 | Steamer, screw, propelled, wood. 21 tons Thames measurement. L 53, b 9.6, d 5. Lengthened 1872 by Inman & Son. Replacement sail by Beaton 1897. Engine Hodgkinson of Southampton, Compound, inverted engine, 2 cylinder 6” and 7.5” – 7” surface condensing, new engine 1882, new boiler 1895. 1 nominal horse-power. Owner Col. W.A. Pennington – home port Southampton | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Althea | See details for ‘Inigorena’ | |||
| Alver | See details for ‘Rona’ | |||
| Anita (ex Isault, ex Hofda) | 1882 | Cutter, wood. 13.4 tons, L 47, b 9, d 7.6. Sails by Lapthorn. Owner Einar Bjornson – home port Christiana | Stow and Son Builder T. Stow designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Aquila | 1888 | Yawl, wood. 37.33 tons, L 66.8, b 14.6, depth 10.1. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys1897. Altered from a cutter using 10 & 16 year old wood materials. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey in Shoreham 1896. Owner Robert & Noel, Dupuy d’Angeac – home port La Rochelle | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Argo | 1931 | Bermuda Yawl, auxiliary, wood and part steel frames. 5.96 tons, L29.5, b 9.1, d 6.2. Sails by Cranfield 1934. Paraffin motor 4 cylinder 2.3/8” – 3.1/2” side ppr by Ailsa Craig of Chiswick. Owner Lord Stanley of Alderley – home port Shoreham | Stow & Son Builder, Designer J. Laurent Giles | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Armide (ex Phyllis) | 1883 | Yawl, wood. 21.24 tons, L 49.3, b 11.7, d 8.7. Replacement sails by Macmillan 1899. Owner Duncan MacCallum – home port Campbeltown. 1936 Register – now an Auxiliary Ketch 20.21 tons. L,b,d unchanged. Paraffin motor 4 cylinder 2.3/4” – 4” by Ailsa Craig of Chiswick. Sails by Ratyey in 1913. Owner W. Whitehead & J.M. McLaren – home port Glasgow | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936 |
| Armoricain | See details for ‘Coventina’ |
| Arvon | 1884 | Cutter, wood. 5.10 tons, L 25.8, b 8.7, d 6.1. Replacement sails by Hoopel 1899.Owner Thomas Goode – home port London. 1936 Register – now an Auxiliary Cutter 5.10 tons, L, b, d unchanged. Ford 4 cylinder petrol motor 1933. Owner E.L. Ransome – home port London. Still sailing under the ownership of Detlef Staats, Germany. | Stow and Son Builder (designer not stated) | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3, 1936 & Detlef Staats |
| Aspasia | 1885 | Yawl, wood. 27.76 tons, L 53.5, b 13, d 9.1. Replacement sails by Madder 1899. Owner Thomas Homer – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Aura | See details for ‘Rona’ | |||
| Aurelia | 1892 | Cutter, wood. 8 tons (Thames Measurement). L 21 (on water line), b 6.4, d 3.4. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1895. Owner A.H. Rowland – home port Burnham-on-Crouch. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Betty (ex Aleiope) | 1910 | Auxiliary cutter, wood 12 & 16 years seasoned. Auxiliary cutter 11.53 tons, L 46.5, b 12.66, d 8.4. Sails by Cranfield 1929. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Paraffin motor 4 cyinder 3.75” – 5” ny Thornycroft 1931. Owner P.D. Tuckett – home port Brixham Original owner Charles Hellyer of Brixham. Under the name ‘Tally Ho,’ won the 1927 Fastnet Race. 2023 in Port Townsend 90% renovated. https://sampsonboat.co.uk/category/tally-ho/ | Thomas Stow & Son Builder, Albert Strange Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 Current owner and Albert Strange Assoc’n |
| Betty II | See details for ‘Grey Goose’ | |||
| Blue Jacket | See details for ‘Dianthus’ | |||
| Bo Peep | See details for ‘Albeona’ | |||
| Brada (Brada continued) | 1901 | Yawl, constructed of seasoned wood 12 & 16 years old. 23.33 tons, L 61, b 13.9, d 9.17. Sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1901. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey in Shoreham. Owner Sir William Orr Ewing, Bart – home port Shoreham. 1936 Register – now an auxiliary yawl renamed Sylphe III. Tonnage 20.55, dimensions as before. Replacement sails by Ratseys 1925. Fitted with a paraffin motor 2 cylinder 4.1/4” – 6.3/8” side propeller by Bergius 1923. Owner Georges Lory – home port Nantes | Stow and Son Builder, H.T. Stow Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936 |
| Brenda (ex Reseda) | 1898 | Yawl, constructed of seasoned wood 12 & 16 years old. 34.43 tons, L 64.2, b 13.6, d 9.15. Sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1898. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey in Shoreham.. Owner H.T. Cook – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Brilliant | 1893 | Yawl, constructed of seasoned wood 12 & 16 years old. 13.77 tons. L 56.8, b 12.3, d 8.7. Repacement sails by Madder 1899. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey in Shoreham. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Owner Vincent Craig – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Butterfly | 1876 | Yawl, wood. 15.73 tons, L 48, b 9.9, d 8.9. Replacement sails by Beaton 1898. (No other information) | Stow and Son Builder Designer Dixon Kemp | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Cetacea | 1893 | Cutter, wood. 13.52 tons. L 52.5, b 11.7, d 9. Replacement sails made by Lapthorne & Ratseys 1899. Owner J. Barclay Light – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Clytie | 1884 | Cutter, wood. 6.10 tons, L 28.3, b 8.6, d 58. Replacement sails by Lapthorn 1892. Owner J.A. Richardson – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder Designer T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Constance (ex Fair Wind) | 1896 | Auxiliary Yawl,wood. 15.96 tons, L 52.7, b 12.2, d 8.7. Sails by Ratsey 1925. No details of motor. Owner Louis A. Hart – home port Shoreham. (This vessel not included in the 1902/3 register but the 1938 register shows that it was built as ‘Fair Wind.’) | Stow and Son Builder Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Corsaro | See details for ‘Yolande’ | |||
| Coventina (ex Armoricain) | 1878 | Yawl, built with 9 & 14 years seasoned wood. 15 tons, L 50, b 11, d 9.2. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1894. Owner Thomas Stow – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder Designer Dixon Kemp | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Cygnet | 1900 | Type unknown, wood. 2 tons (Thames Measurement), L 16, b6.5 (no depth measurement). Owner Milton Clayton – home port London | Stow and Son Builder (designer unknown) | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Cygnette (later Joya) | 1930 and 1937 | Auxiliary Cutter, wood. 9.14 tons, L 35.4, b 10.6, d 7.5. Sail makers not shown. Paraffin motor (no details). Owner Exors of the late H.T. Stow – home port Shoreham In fact Cygnette was never fully completed and was subsequently deleted by Lloyds from their registers as never having existed. The Lady Bee firm resuscitated and remodelled the unfinished project and relaunched her as the ‘Joya’ a brand new vessel (without an ex-name). 1938 Register under the name ‘Joya’ – Auxiliary Bermudian Cutter, wood. 6.70 tons, L 35.1, b 10.6, d 7.5. Sails by Rowe 1937. Paraffin motor 2 cylinder 3.5” – 4.5”by Thornycroft. Owner Edward Hamilton – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son (initial builder), Lady Bee builder for alteration and completion Designer H.T. Stow and A. Stone | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 & 1938, Stanley Page (ex Stow and Lady Bee employee) |
| Day Dream | 1890 | Schooner, wood. 42.07 tons, L 67.3 b 14.5, d 9.55. Sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1902. Built with 10 & 16 years seasoned wood. Altered from a cutter 1895 by Harris. Owner E.G. Duck 1903 – home port Shoreham | Stow & Son builder & designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1903 |
| Desire | 1912 | Auxiliary Cutter, wood. 2.72 tons, L 25.7, b 8.25, d 5.6. 2 cylinder paraffin motor 3.5” – 4.75” side ppr by Bergius, Gls. Owner A.J. Lawrence – home port Shoreham. (Deleted from Lloyds Registers by 1938 – no reason given.) | Stow and Son Builder Designer P. Shepherd | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Dianthus (ex Blue Jacket) | 1881 | Yawl, wood. 26.22 tons, L53, b 12.9, d 8.7. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1900. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Owner Clement I. Salaman – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Dorade | See details for ‘Semiramis’ | |||
| Doris | 1884 | Yawl, wood. 25.24 tons, L 56.7, b 11.2, d 9.7. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1899. Owners G.H. Rankin & Alfred T. Miller – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder Designer T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Dragon | See details for ‘Volatile’ | |||
| Dune | 1888 | Yawl, wood. 6 tons (Thames Measurement) L 26.3, b 7.8, d 3.9. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1895. Owner unknown – home port Konigsberg. | Stow and Son Builder Designer Dixon Kemp | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Eudroma (Eudroma continued) | 1937 | Auxiliary Ketch, wood. 58 tons (Thames Measurement) L58.5, b 16, d 10. Sails by Ratsey 1937. Oil engine 4 cylinder 4.1/8” – 5.1/2” by Ailsa Craig. Owner Eric L. Wildy – home port Shoreham Still sailing and last known (2010) when part of a yacht chartering fleet in the Caribbean. The vessel is described as “… a Marconi-rigged Ketch with a 100 hp marine diesel…. A ‘double-ender’ of the type particularly favoured by the designer Fred Shepherd…… sleeps six. | Started by Stow & Son but largely built and completed by Lady Bee at Shoreham, Fred Shepherd Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1937, Stanley Page, (ex Stow employee) & V.E.B. Nicholson Yacht Charter |
| Excelsior | 1873 | Cutter, wood. 11.99 tons, L 31, b 9, d 6. Sails by English. Owner A.E. Marvin, jun. – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Fair Wind | Renamed by 1938 – see details for ‘Constance.’ | |||
| Firefly | Cutter, wood. 8.71tons, L 40, b 10.1, d 6. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1899. Sail area 1581.95. Given a linear rating of 38.65 by the Yacht Racing Association (Y.R.A.Lin.R.38.65). Owner M. Harding-Finlayson – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 | |
| Fulmar | See details for ‘Yolande’ | |||
| Gadfly | 1878 | Yawl, wood. 17.64 tons, L 46.5 ins, b 10.2, d 8.5. Sails by Lapthorn (no year given). Owner James W. Atkins – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Galecka | 1885 | Auxiliary Ketch, wood of 12 & 16 years. 22.55 tons, L 53.5, b 13, d 9.1. Morris 1931 petrol motor 4 cylinder 2.95” – 4” Owner A.H. Clark – home port Southampton | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Gold Reef | See details for ‘Othona’ | |||
| Grey Goose (ex Isabel, ex Betty II) | 1914 | Auxiliary Ketch, wood of 12 & 16 years seasoned. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. 16.59 tons, L 53.1, b 13.55, d 8.5. Sails by Ratsey 1935. Paraffin motor 4 cylinder 4.5” – 6” by Thornycroft of Basingstoke. 4 S.C.S.A rating. Owner H.H. MacLean of Ardgour – home port Brixham | Stow and Son Builder, Designer Albert Strange | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Harbinger | 1913 | Auxiliary Ketch altered from a yawl in 1935, wood of 12 & 16 years seasoned. 46.22 tons, L 78.8, b 16.9, d 10.5. Electric lighting. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Paraffin motor 4 cylinder 4.1/4” – 6.3/8” by Bergius, Gls 1933. Ratings S.S.Cws26 and A.S.Cws 5,30. Owner Col. Sir Thos. Myles C.B. – home port Glasgow. Sadly Harbinger survived for almost a century still sailing but has been lost at sea in recent years (details to follow) | Stow and Son Builder Designer T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Haze | 1886 | Sloop, wood. 3.09 tons, L 20, b 7.7, depth 4 (L,b & d all Thames Measurements). Altered from a lugger type. Replacement sails by Pannell & Hobbs 1892. Owner Rev. S.R. James – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer L. Hope | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Hildegarde | See details for ‘Semiramis’ | |||
| Hofda | See details for ‘Anita’ | |||
| Ianthina | 1894 | Cutter, wood. 4.53 tons, L 28.6, b 7.3, d 4.71. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1894. Rating 2.77 (presumably by the Yacht Racing Association). Owner William C. Bowyer – home port Shoreham (Originally built for George McAndrew, the shipping line magnate who was so impressed with it he later bought the ‘Voluta’ | Stow and Son Builder Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Imatra | 1899 | Auxiliary Yawl, wood 12 & 16 years seasoned. 24.21 tons, L 61.8, b 13.2, d 8.8. Sails by Ratsey 1930. Electric lighting. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Paraffin motor 2 cylinder 5.5” – 7’ by Bergius, Gls 1921. Owner Mrs. M.C. MacKenzie – home port Portsmouth. Later rig designed by Sir Peter Blake and sailed out to New Zealand by the then owner Sir Ernest Davies. Still sailing in New Zealand with current owner John Hayman | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Inigorena (ex Althea) | 1897 | Auxiliary Yawl, wood 12 & 16 years seasoned. 20.57 tons, L 53.7, b 12.4, d 8.7. Sails by Cranfield 1925. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Petrol motor 3 cylinder by Bergius, Gls. Owner Ignacio de Yharra y Menchacatorre – home port Seville | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Ipar | See details for ‘Semiramis’ | |||
| Isabell | See details for ‘Grey Goose’ | |||
| Isault | See details for ‘Anita’ | |||
| Jessy | See details for ‘Algol’ | |||
| Jorrocks | 1916 | Auxiliary Yawl, wood. 5 tons, L 23, b 4, d2.5 (all Thames Measurements). Sails by Sadler 1928. Petrol motor (no figures shown) by Fair of Hampton Wick. Owner Col. Sir Carne Rasch, Bart – home port Maldon | Stow & Son Builder (no designer shown) | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Joya | 1937 | See details for ‘Cygnette’ | ||
| Lacerta | 1886 | Yawl, wood. 24 tons, L 60.7, b 11.4, d 8.9. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1901 (Remaining information missing). | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Ladybird | See details for ‘White Kitten’ | |||
| Latois (ex Latona) | 1874 | Yawl, wood. 20.67 tons, L 42.2, b 11.3, d 7.2. Sails by English (no year given). Owner Sir Hubert Parry, Mus.Doc. – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Latona | See details for ‘Latois’ | |||
| Lavengro | 1902 | Ketch, wood. 134 tons, L 89, b 19, d 11 (all Thames Measurements). Sails by Ratsey & Longthorn 1902, sail area 6,136. Owner Gervase Beckett – home port Shoreham. 1936 Register – Auxiliary Ketch, wood. 66.99 tons, L 89, b19, d 10.6. Sails (replacements) by Ratsey 1923. Paraffin motor 4 cylinder 7.5” – 10” by Bergius, Gls 1925. Owner Jean Riche – home port Havre(1936 register also shows vessel to have been renamed ‘Lielahti’). | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936 |
| Lielahti | See details for ‘Lavengro.’ | |||
| Lili | 1890 | Cutter, wood. 6 tons, L 26.8, b 7.7, d 5.6. sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1890. Owner Lt.-Col. R.F.T. Gascoigne, D.S.O. – home port Glasgow. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer Dixon Kemp | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Lobster | 1894 | Lugger, wood. 4 tons, L 19, b 7.75 (no depth measurements given) Replacement sails by Beaton 1897. Owner Howard Farmer – home port London. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Mabel | 1893 | Yawl, wood. 11.95 tons, L 38, b 10, d 7.2. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratsey. Linear rating 40.88. Owner F. Baird Smith – homeport Shoreham. 1936 Register – identical details except (replacement ?) sails by Ratsey (no year given). Owner Herbert Dudgeon – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder, H.T. Stow Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936 |
| Mara | See details for ‘Red Dragon’ | |||
| Margaret | See details for ‘Algol’ | |||
| Maria Antoinette II | See details for ‘Yolande’ | |||
| Marimba | See details for ‘Yolande’ | |||
| Marjorie | 1881 | Yawl, wood. 4 tons, L 21, b 7.2, d 3.6. Sails by Lane & Neave, English no year given. Rating 2.5. Owner E.H. Grant Morris – home port London. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Medusa | 1878 | Cutter (altered from a yawl), wood. 17.59 tons, L 46.2, b 10.3, d 8.5. Replacement sails by Ratseys & Lapthorn 1894. Owner Hugh R. Rathbone – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Memory | 1909 | Auxiliary Bermudian Ketch altered from a yawl 1913, wood 12 & 16 year seasoned. 25.18 tons, L 61.35, b 15.1, d 9.8. Sails by Ratsey 1935. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Paraffin motor by Thornycroft of Reading 4 cylinder 4.5” – 6” delivering a nominal 9 hp. C.S.A rating 48. Owner Herbert T Hines – home port London | Stow and Son Builder, G.L. Watson & Co Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Mohawk II | See details for ‘Sylvia’ |
| Morwenna | 1914 | Auxiliary Schooner, wood 12 & 16 years seasoned. 10.44 tons, L 48.2, b 12.1, d 7.5. Sails by Ratsey 1926. Electric Lighting. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Paraffin motor 4 cylinder 4.25” – 5” by Gleniffer of Gloucester. Owner Lt – Col. R.E. Sanders, D.S.O., O.B.E., – home port Shoreham. Morwenna took part in the 1927 Fastnet Race. Still sailing under French ownership (Stephane Monnier) at Concarneau, Brittany. | Stow and Son Builder, Linton Hope Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 & Stephane Monnier |
| Nara | 1896 | Yawl, constructed of 12 & 16 years seasoned wood. 22.85 tons, L 59.4, b 13.25, d 9. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey in Shoreham. Sails by Ratseys & Lapthorn 1896. Owner Lancaster Owen – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Narwhal | 1888 | Auxiliary Cutter, wood. 4 tons, L 29.5, b 3.5, d 3.3 (all Thames Measurements). Sails by Barr 1924. Petrol motor with reducing gear by Brunton 1935. Owner W.H. Diskett – home port Blyth | Stow and Son Builder, Designer Dixon Kemp | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Naughty Girl | Sloop, wood. 4 tons, L 21, b 7.5, d 3.8 (Thames Measurements). Sails by Madder 1901, sail area 450. Owner Dr. H.P.D. Benson – home port Guernsey. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 | |
| Navaho | See details for ‘Otter’ | |||
| Nerissa (ex Albicore) | Cutter, wood. 12 tons, L 36.5, b 9, d 7.6. Replacement sails by Perry 1897. Owner P.W.G. Ogilvie – home port Cork. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 | |
| Nicoletta | See details for ‘Yolande’ | |||
| Oivana | 1874 | Yawl (altered from a cutter in 1878), wood. 21.87 tons, L 52.2, b 11, d 9.8. Sails by Lapthorn (no year stated). Owner E. Howard Collins – home port Ipswich. | Stow and Son Builder Designer Dixon Kemp | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Olive | 1879 | Cutter, wood. 32.85 tons, L 51.5, b 12.9, d 9. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1897. Owner’s name and home port missing. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Osprey | 1907 | Cutter(?) 60 tons | Thomas Stow & Son, Shoreham | Page 81 of ‘Ships & Mariners of Shoreham’by Henry Cheal |
| Othona (ex Gold Reef) | 1892 | Yawl, wood. 31.62 tons, L 63.2, b 13.1, d 10.1. Replacement sails by Pannell & Hibbs 1898. Owner Herbert W. Mason – home port Cowes. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Otter (ex Navaho) | 1912 | Auxiliary Bermudian Yawl, wood. 6.76 tons, L 41, b 10.75, d 8. Sails by Ratsey 1934. Paraffin motor 3 cylinder 4.5” – 4.5’ by Norris, Henty and Gardners of London 1926. Owner John Hunter – home port Southampton | Stow and Son Builder, F. Shepherd Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Phyllis | See details for ‘Armide’ | |||
| Pigtail (ex Wren) | 1919 | Auxiliary Bermudian Cutter, wood. 5.56 tons, L29.3, b 8.8, d 5.85. Sails by Sea Services Ltd 1935. Morris 1934 petrol motor 4 cylinder 57mm – 83mm. Owner Douglas B. Winter – home port Shoreham Still sailing under French ownership in the Concarneau, Brittany area. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 & Stephane Monnier |
| Pioneer | See details for ‘Sweetheart’ | |||
| Red Dragon (ex Mara) Red Dragon (continued) | 1892 | 1936 Register – now shown as a Auxiliary Bermudian Cutter, tonnage 2.54, dimensions as before. Sails by Cranfield 1925. Petrol motor 2 cylinder 3.5” – 4.75” by Bergius of Gloucester 1924. Owner L.M. Hulburd – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936 |
| Red Spinner | 1895 | Cutter, wood. 2 tons, L 19, b 6, d no measurement (Thames Measurements). Sails by Madder 1896, sail area 345. Linear rating 22. Owner John Roberts – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer J. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Reseda | See details for ‘Brenda’ | |||
| Ripple | 1921 | Auxiliary Cutter, wood. 4.48 tons, L 23.8, b8, d 4.6. Sails by English 1921. Paraffn motor 2 cylinder 3” – 4.5” by Bergius of Gloucester 1932. Owner Derek Grimsdick – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Romp | 1875 | Cutter, wood. 4.11 tons, L 28.1, b 6.75, d 4.9. Replacement sails by Little 1890. Rating 5. Owner R.H.N. Alleyne – home port Plymouth. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Rona (ex Aura, ex Alver | 1895 | Yawl, wood. 16.18 tons, L 61.8, b 13, d 9.4. Replacement sails by Lapthorne & Ratseys 1899. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey in Shoreham. Owner Charles C. Craig – home port Shoreham. Still sailing and currently (2010) owned by Larson Boats at Hong Kong | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3, Peters & May (Marine News) |
| Rona II | 1934 | Auxiliary Sloop, 5 tons, L 23, b 7.6, d 4.6. Sails 1950 by Payne. Petrol motor 2cy. 2.75” x 2.75” by Stuart Turner 1935. Owner in 1962 R.C. Roberts – port Lymington. | Stow & Son Builder Designer unknown | Lloyds Yacht Register 1962 |
| Rosalind (sister ship Sylvia) | 1904 | Auxiliary Yawl, wood 12 & 16 years seasoned. 33.42 tons, L 71.2, b 15.15, d 9.35. Sails by Ratsey 1920. Electric lighting. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey in Southampton. Paraffin motor 3 cylinder 6” – 8 “ side propeller by Parsons of Southampton 1932. Owner J.B. Dalrymple – home port Hull Originally built for Charles Hellyer and rigged as a Gaff, three foresails and a spinnaker. After a number of owners the Rosalind was purchased by a wealthy Spanish family during the 1950’s. In 1996/7 the vessel was almost completely rebuilt to precise standards and materials as near to the original as possible – she is now virtually as she was in 1904 and was (2010) put up for sale at £1.5 million. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Rozel | 1884 | Yawl (altered from a cutter in 1885), constructed from 10 & 12 year seasoned wood. 33.37 tons, L 62.2, b 12.5, d 10.4. Sails replaced by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1898. Rating 48.73. Owner Lancelot Rolleston – home port Shoreham | Stow and Son Builder, Designer J. Ash | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Rubi (ex Thistle) | Yawl, wood. 26.17 tons, L54, b 12, d 9.9. Replacement sails by Ratseys & Lapthorn 1901. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey in Shoreham. Rating 20. Owner S.G. Murray – home port Shoreham. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer Dixon Kemp | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 | |
| Samoena II | See details for ‘Yolande’ | |||
| Semiramis (ex Hildegarde, ex Dorade) | 1900 | Schooner, auxiliary surface condensing (engine), wood. 22.81 tons, L 63.55, b 13.3, d 9.13. Sails by Madder 1900. Simpson, Strickland & Co of Dartmouth engine four cylinders 3.75”, 5”, 6.75” & 9” – 5” with 1 water tube boiler producing 2 nominal horse power. Owner T.H. Sanderson – home port Shoreham. (1937 register shows renamed as ‘Ipar’ under Turkish ownership). | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Sula | 1879 | Yawl, wood. 54.19 tons, L 74.5, b 16, d 10.7. Replacement sails by Ratseys & Lapthorn 1897. Owner Lord Churston – home port Shoreham. (Originally built (1879) for Baron T. Erskine. 1936 Register – now an auxiliary Ketch. Dimensions unchanged but tonnage 80 (Thames Measurement) Sails by Beaton 1926. Argus 1919 petrol motor 6 cylinder 5.5” – 6.25” Owner Hubert Scott-Paine (Shoreham born designer of flying boats, speed boats and founder of the company Supermarine Ltd that won the Schneider Trophy for England in 1922) – home port Southampton NB – the launch once belonging to ‘Sula’ still survives – thought to be in Scotland | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3, 1936 and Alan Stewart |
| Sweetheart (ex Pioneer) | 1879 | Yawl, wood, auxiliary surface condensing (engine). 9.98 tons, L 46.4, b 10.5, d 6.9. Sails by Lapthorn 1879. Surface condensing engine by Plenty & Sons, Newbury, 2 cylinder 7’ & 12” – 10”, producing 4 nominal horse power. Owner N.M. McWharrie – home port Greenock. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Sylphe III (ex Thendara, ex Brada) | 1901 | See details for ‘Brada’ | ||
| Sylvia | 1896 | Yawl, wood. 16.75 tons, L 52.7, b 12.2, d 8.7. Sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1898. (Remaining information missing – subsequent 1938 register information states this vessel to have been renamed – see details for ‘Constance.’) | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Sylvia | 1904 | Auxiliary Ketch altered from a yawl (no year given), wood 12 & 16 years seasoned. 34.20 tons, L 69, b 14.65, d 8.7. Sails by Ratsey 1931. Electric lighting. Wireless. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Petrol motor 4 cylinder 3.75” – 5” side propeller by Thornycroft 1930. Owner Wm. C. Perkins – home port Shoreham. Purchased in 1952 by Sjokorpset Oslo (Seascouts) and renamed Mohawk II. Used for training youngsters in sailing skills. Sunk off Vlissingen, Holland after collision with a fishing boat in 2006 (during an intended courtesy visit to Shoreham) but raised and now being repaired | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register1936, Sjorkorpset Oslo 2012 |
| Tally Ho (ex Alciope ex.Betty) | See details for ‘Betty’ | |||
| Tern II (ex White Kitten, ex Ladybird) | See details for ‘White Kitten’ | |||
| Thendara | See details for ‘Brada’ | |||
| Thistle | See details for ‘Rubi’ | |||
| Valerie | 1890 | See details for ‘Violet’ |
| Valerie Valerie (continued) | 1895 | Yawl, wood. 6.94 tons, L 39.6, b 10.2, d 6.4. Sail maker information missing. Owner Charles H. Brampton – home port Dublin. 1936 Register – Auxiliary yawl. 7.12 tons, dimensions unchanged. Sails by Perry 1925. Petrol motor 2 cylinder 3.5” – 4.75” side propeller by Bergius of Gloucester 1924. Owner A. Cochran, C.B.E., – home port Dartmouth Later owned by Wm. Brodie and registered at Dublin. Reputed to have been involved in gun running for the I.R.A. Purchased by Scott Metcalfe at Bangor, part renovated and now for sale (2012). | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936, Scott Metcalfe |
| Vanda (ex Vanderdecken) | 1909 | Auxiliary Ketch altered from a yawl 1934, wood 10 & 16 years seasoned. 39.07 tons, L 71.7, b 16.6, d 9.9. Sails by Ratsey 1929. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey. Oil engine 2 cylinder 145mm – 200mm by Hanscatische Motors 1934. Owner W. Bryce Gibson – home port Liverpool | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Vanderdecken | See details for ‘Vanda’ | |||
| Varani | 1889 | Cutter, wood. 13.43 tons, L 45.3, b 10.5, d 8.15. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys in 1893 & 1897. Owner J. Knight-Revel – home port Shoreham. 1936 Register – Auxiliary Yawl altered from a Cutter 1914, 8.14 tons, dimensions as before. Sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys & Thomas. Electric Lighting. Petrol motor 6 cylinder 3.5” – 5” by Astles-Studebaker 1929. Owner Lieut. Sydney H. Weale, R.N.V.R. – home port Southampton | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936 |
| Vesper | 1885 | Yawl, wood. 15.02 tons, L 40.5, b 12.2, d 7. Replacement sails by Ellis 1897. Owner Walter Grigg Fox – home port Shoreham’ | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Violet (ex Valerie) | 1890 | Sloop (altered from a Cutter in 1891), wood. 2 tons, L 18, b 6.1, d 3.5 (Thames Measurements). First sails by Madder. Replacement sails by Horn 1894, sail area 306. Rating 1. Owner Col. Sir Dudley Duckworth-King, Bart. – home port Exmouth. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Volatile (ex Dragon) | 1891 | Cutter, wood. 14.3 tons, L 48, b 10.75, d 7.85. Replacement sails by Lapthorn & Ratseys 1896. Owner John Roberts – home port information missing. | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Voluta | 1900 | Yawl, wood. 10.5 tons, L 39.3, b 11.4, d 6.2. Sails by Ratseys & Lapthorn 1900. Owner George MacAndrew – home port Shoreham. 1936 Register – Type, tonnage and dimensions as before. Latest sails by Ratsey (no year given). Owner Thos. C. Jackson, L.L.D. – home port Hull George MacAndrew of the large shipping line, after he had been well satisfied by a previous boat they had built for him, the ‘Ianthina’. His notebook details the reasons he chose Stows over Paynes of Southampton and Lukes of Hamble, namely lower cost for the same quality. MacAndrew cruised the Solent and West Country in the next two seasons, sailing with his family from a base at Seaview on the Isle of Wight, and wintering her at the Hamble. In 1904 she was sold to Dr Jackson, the Commodore of the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club where she remained for the next 40 years or so. Current owner/restorer Simon Allan. | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936, Simon Allan (owner) |
| White Kitten | 1899 | Yawl, wood. 4.61 tons, L 31.6, b 9, d 6.15. Sails by Madder 1899, sail area 885. Owner W.I. Beaumont – home port Shoreham. 1936 Register – Now renamed ‘Tern II.’ Auxiliary yawl, tonnage 4.26, L b & d unchanged. Sails by Beaton 1936. Petrol motor 2 cylinder 2.75” – 4” by Ailsa Craig of Chiswick 1924. Owner Clive B. Wright – home port Southampton | Stow and Son Builder, Designer H.T. Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936 |
| Wren | See details for ‘Pigtail’ | |||
| Yolande (ex Maria Antoinette II, ex Zingara, ex Nicoletta, ex Corsaro, ex Samoena II, ex Fulmar, ex Marimba) | 1888 | Auxiliary Cutter altered from a cutter and from a yawl, wood 10 & 16 years seasoned. 30.21 tons, L 66.8, b14.6, d10.1. Sails by Ratsey. Yacht built under a permanent and water-tight roof. Petrol motor 4cylinder 145mm – 165mm by Brescia 1914. Owner Capt. Calafati – home port Genoa | Stow and Son Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Zingara |
The following are from incomplete pages of the Register on website screens
| Partial screen only on a page at HIC | 1900 | b 13ft 9ins d 9ft 13ins. Engine details Q4Cy.3.75”, 5”,6.75” & 9” – 5” Owner T.H.Sanderson | Stow & Son Builder Designer H.T.Stow | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Partial screen only on a page at ILS | 1899 | Missing “ 12 & 16 yrs. Mat” seasoned wood used in construction. Anchors and chain cables proved at survey in Shoreham. Owner George Flett – home port Portsmouth | Stow & Son Designer Missing | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
Francis Suter
Francis Suter, the son of a shipwright, is thought to have purchased the Old Shipyard during the 1880’s fromDyer & Sons, the shipbuilding family the Suters once worked for. The yard in those days extended from the High Street to the riverside and in length from opposite Ship Street up to the Bridge Inn.
Francis made his name building and repairing smaller yachts although some were up to around 50 feet in length. He was a keen yachtsman himself winning many cups and prizes at regattas in and around Sussex and was reputed to have saved twenty lives from drowning. He lived with his family at May Cottage next to the Norfolk Suspension Bridge before moving in later years to the bungalow that still stands at the junction between Victoria Road and Old Shoreham Road. The business passed to sons Reginald and William when Francis died in 1928 at the age of 80 then eventually ceased altogether in 1963 when the land was sold for development.
There were many yachts built by the Suters over the years but sadly any records of them were destroyed with the accounts books and ledgers in 1963. We now only know of two of their craft, the records for which havesurvived only because they were included in the Lloyds Yachting Register of 1902 – perhaps others may eventually come to light.
| Yacht Name | Year Built or Registered | Other Details | Builder and Designer | Source |
| Annaik (ex Maude, ex Falcon) | 1892 | Yawl, wood. 14 tons, L 38.1, b 9.6, d 6.2 (Thames Measurement). No sailmaker shown. Owner Ange Desormeaux – home port Brest.
| F. Suter Builder,
| Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Grace Darling | No year given | Sloop, wood. 5 tons (Thames Measurement) – no dimensions given. Sails by Suter. Owner C.P. Wilks, B.A. – home port London | Frank Suter, Builder | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
Courtney & Birkett, Southwick
Courtney & Birkett took over the old Shuttleworth shipyard alongside the harbour locks at Southwick and built their first yachts there in 1887. Having previously been used for the construction of large ships the shed there was of a considerable size and eventually the firm moved to another shed alongside more suited to the smaller yachts they produced. As with the Stow yacht details the following are not all the craft that Courtney Birkett built but it is probably the most complete listing to date.
The business was later purchased by the Lady Bee Ltd that had also bought up the Stow & Son business and merged the two at the Southwick yard.
| Bonita | 1893 | Cutter, wood. 2 tons, L 16.3, b 5.5, d 1.7, Replacement sails by English 1897, sail area 275. Rating 0.75. Owner A.A. Watkins – home port Woodbridge. | Courtney & Birkett Builder. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Bonito II | 1901 | Gunter Sloop, wood. 2 tons, L 26, b 4.5, d 2 (Thames Measurements). Sails by English 1901. Yacht Racing Association rating 18.03. Rating (ordinary) 18.33. Owner A.G. Topham – home port Bembridge, Isle of Wight | Courtney & Birkett Builder, Designer Linton Hope. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3
|
| Eaglet | 1887 | Screw Schooner, wood. 15.89 tons, L 70, b 11.5 d 8. Sails by Ratsey & Lapthorn 1889. Built with 9 & 16 year seasoned wood under a permanent, watertight roof. Engine 2 cylinder 8” x 16-12” 7 nominal hp by G. Courtney of Southwick. Owner Geo. F. North 1903 – home port Shoreham. | Courtney & Birkett BuilderDesigner unknown | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Ethne | See details for ‘Pierette’ | |||
Falcon | See details for ‘Marie Lois’ | |||
| Fraud | 1892 | Screw Lugger, wood. 6 tons, L 30.2, b 7.2, d 3.6 (Thames Measurements) Engine 2cylinder 4” x 9” 2nominal hp by H. Guy of Cowes. Owner Rev. William Lee 1903. Home port Portsmouth | Courtney & Birkett Designer unknown | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Grisette | 1904 | Auxiliary yawl altered from a Cutter in 1930, wood 12 & 16 years seasoned. 10.16 tons, L 42, b 11, d 7.1. Sails by Cranfield 1930. Petrol motor by Bergius of Gloucester 1930. Owner A.E. Fyfe – home port Shoreham Currently being restored under French ownership in the Concarneau, Brittany area. | Courtney & Birkett Builder, Designer Linton Hope. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936, & Stephane Monnier |
| Lady Moll | 1901 | Sloop, wood. 6 tons, L 28, b 7.5, d 5 (Thames Measurement). Sails by English 1901, sail area 537. Owner F.G. Harvey – home port London. | Courtney & Birkett Builder, Designer Linton Hope. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Louise | 1901 | Sloop, wood. 3 tons, L 21, b 6, d 3. Sails by English 1901, sail area 335. Owner Lieut. Alex. Bari… R.N. (part of surname may be missing as is the home port) | Courtney & Birkett Builder, Designer Linton Hope | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Lynx | 1897 | Sloop, wood. 5 tons, L 19.5 (Thames Measurements) remainder of dimensions missing. Sails by Madder 1900, sail area 180. Owner Chas. W. Alison – home port Burnham-on-Crouch | Courtney & Birkett Builder, H. Hughes Designer. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Marie Lois (ex. Falcon) | Year unknown
| Auxiliary Gaff Cutter, 5.68 tons, L 26.2, b 9, d 5.2. Petrol engine 2 cylinder 8bhp by Stuart Turner 1935. Owner Leslie Morton – home port Maldon. | Courtney & Birkett Builder. Designer unknown | Lloyds Yacht Register 1962 |
| Maud | See details for ‘Talisman’ | |||
| Meeuw | See details for ‘Pierette’ | |||
| Mollihawk | 1902 | Yawl, wood. 18 tons, L 38.5, b 11, d 6. Sails by English 1902, sail area 950. Information on owner and home port missing. | Courtney & Birkett Builder Designer Linton Hope & Co. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Nanette | 1901 | Cutter, wood.16 tons, L 40.5, b 10.1, d 6.42. Sails by English, sail area 1300. Owner W.O. Turnbull – home port Whitby. | Courtney & Birkett Builder, Linton Hope Designer. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Pierrette (ex Ethne, ex Meeuw, ex Yupumi) | 1902 | Cutter, wood. 11 tons, L 36, b 8.5, d 6 (Thames Measurements). Sails by English 1902, sail area 1130. Owner Henry Compton – home port Shoreham 1936 Register – Auxiliary Cutter, wood. Keel lengthened and lrp by Morgan Giles Ltd 1927, altered from a yawl 1931. 11 tons (Thames measurement), L35.6, b 8.75, d 6.2. Sails by Cranfield 1932. Petrol motor 2 cylinder side propeller by Bergius of Gloucester 1927. Owner H.C.H. Bull – home port West Mersea | Courtney & Birkett Builder, Designer Linton Hope & Co. | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 & 1936 |
| Poppy | 1891 | Schooner, wood, screw propelled. 10.02 tons, L 52.2, b 9.2, d 4.53. Surface condensing engine made by Courtney & Birkett of Southwick, 2 cylinder 6” & 12” – 8” generating 3 nominal horse power. Owner John Beesty – home port London. | Courtney & Birkett Builder (no designer stated) | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3
|
| Solana (ex Redbar) | 1887 | Cutter, wood. 5 tons, L 21.8, b 7.9, d 3.6 Lengthened by 4 feet by C & B in 1889. Owners Henry Thompson & A. S. Wright 1903. Home port London, | Courtney & Birkett Builder & Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Talisman (ex Maud) | 1904 | Screw propelled yawl, wood. 11.78 tons, L 49.4, b 9, d 5.1. Petrol motor 6 cylinder by Ailsa Craig of Chiswick. Owner Albert Osborne – home port Shoreham | Courtney & Birkett Builder, Cox & King Designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1936 |
| Vainka | 1896 | Cutter & Yawl, wood. 4 tons, L 21.5, b7.5, d 3.2 (Thames Measurements). Sail maker not named, sail area Cutter 820, Yawl 717. Owner Joseph Gundry – home port Weymouth | Courtney & Birkett Builder (no designer stated) | Lloyds Yacht Register 1902/3 |
| Yupumi | See details for ‘Pierette’ | |||
| Zelia | 1903 | Auxiliary Gaff Sloop. 6 tons, L28, b7.75, d 5.4. Sails Keable 1957. Engine paraffin 4 cylinder2.25” x 3.5” by Ailsa Craig 1947. Owner J. F. Knowles Home port Chichester | Courtney & Birkett Builder. Linton Hpe designer | Lloyds Yacht Register 1962 |
Roger Bateman
Shoreham
November 2012 (updated December 2013)
Sources:-
Lloyds Yacht Registers 1902/3, 1935/36 and other information (Eudroma and Joya) kindly provided by Lloyd’s Register Group Services Ltd.
Photographs from the collections of Stanley Page, Doris Steers, Peter Weaver and for information on the Suters, the Winton Family and the current owners/record keepers of surviving yachts- Detlef Staats and soerenhese.de (Arvon), Northwest Maritime Heritage (Betty), Roger Bateman (Haze), Sjokorpset Oslo (Sylvia/Mohawk II), Stephane Monnier (Morwenna), Scott Metcalfe (Valerie), Simon Allan (Voluta) and Jonathan Minor (Boat International 1993 – Harbinger), John Hayman (Imatra)