HISTORY
Shamrock
V was built in 1930 for Sir Thomas Lipton's fifth
and last America's Cup challenge. Designed by
Nicholson, she was the first British yacht to be
built to the new J Class Rule and is the only
remaining J to have been built in wood. After launch
she was continually upgraded with changes to hull
shape and rudder. The rig was also modified to
create the most effective racing sail plan but she
was no match for the faster US design "Enterprise".
Sir T.O.M. Sopwith (famous for his aeroplane designs
in the First World War) had considerable knowledge
of yacht racing and purchased the yacht in 1932 to
gain experience in J Class racing. He challenged in
1933 and using his experience from Shamrock V, went
on to build his challenger "Endeavour".
Shamrock V was then sold to aviation friend Sir
Richard Fairey (Fairey Aviation) who again was a
keen yachtsman who campaigned it in company of two
new steel J's built during 1933 - 1934 - Velsheda
and Endeavour. After World War II, Italian owner
Mario Crespi installed the elegant bird's-eye maple
interior Shamrock V still has today.
REBUILD
In 1962 Shamrock V was sold to Italian yachtsman
Piero Scanu who, in 1967, had the yacht taken back
to Camper and Nicholsons in Gosport, England for a
complete, three-year rebuild. The hull was stripped
back to bare steel frames which were sandblasted,
repaired and painted. After this Shamrock V was
entirely replanked in 2 inch teak and refastened
with bronze. New systems, engines and rig were also
installed. During the next twenty years she had a
number of owners, and never fell into disrepair,
like the other J's. In 1986 the Lipton Tea Company
purchased Shamrock V from Scanu and donated her to
The Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island. In
1989 classic yacht restorer Elizabeth Meyer
undertook another extensive refit. In 1995 the
International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) of
Newport , Rhode Island purchased Shamrock V as part
of their classic yacht collection. In 1998, the IYRS
sold Shamrock V to the Newport Shamrock V
Corporation in order to help finance the restoration
of 'Coronet'. The Newport Shamrock V Corporation
intends to continue chartering in New England but
will extend her season to include Winter months in
the Caribbean.
Following a remarkable and successful regatta in
Antigua against Velsheda and Endeavour in 1999,
Shamrock V returned to UK waters and has just
completed a one year refit at the Pendennis Shipyard
in Falmouth, England, by her new owners. This
comprehensive refit has improved ballast ratio and
with the addition of a new rig and sails,
performance is dramatically enhanced. Shamrock V is
now ready to give many more years of service as one
of yachting's great queens and as one of just three
remaining original J's from the 1930's.
RACING
Shamrock V joined Endeavour and Velsheda for the
first J CLASS REGATTA to be held in UK waters after
65 years and then competed in the America's Cup
Jubilee in the Solent, England during August 2001.
click here to read
the full history about America's Cup Racing.
