Endeavour I 1934

Hand-crafted plank-on-frame wood hull with blue topsides, white cove stripe and white boot stripe . Varnished stained wood hull.

Hull size: 60cm.

Board size: 75cm X 20cm

The owner of the big White Eather, W.E. Stephenson, announced his intention in 1933 to build a new J-Class: Charles E. Nicholson built a splendid steel yacht for him,Velsheda. It could be seen from her first outings that she was a possible challenger of the America's Cup.

Thomas Octave Murdoch Sopwith, the famous aircraft manufacturer and Shamrock V's owner, decided to enter the fray. He ordered a new J Class from Nicholson, Endeavour. ( T.O.M. Sopwith acquired Shamrock V in 1932 ).

Nicholson designed his most fabulous challenger, with a very elegant shape and real speed capacities. It must said that Sopwith's completion of Nicholson's work was perfect, assisted by an aeronautics engineer Frank Murdoch.

The fifteenth challenge of the America's Cup was quite a paradox: the faster yacht was beaten by the slower but better sailed yacht. In fact, with Rainbow, the Americans were saved solely due to their tactical sense and a lot of luck.

Endeavour layed down for years in the USA, without care. She was rescued by Elizabeth Meyer, of Newport, RI. Today after a $ 10,000,000 restoration, she is one of the most breathtaking sights on the water. To take helm of such a boat is to experience pure power, grace and speed.

Lord Dunraven had no hesitation when he decided to issue his second challenge; he immediately turned to George Lennox Watson and gave him carte blanche to design his new challenger. Watson was determined to win. To achieve his objective, his inspiration came largely from ideas developed by the Americans: wide beam, full lines, composite construction.

Valkyrie III was built by the D. & W. Henderson & Co. yard at Partick on the Clyde. Her frames were in steel, with wooden planking. She was given a steel mast. Launched in May 1895, Valkyrie III had her ballast increased after her first trials against Britannia.