David Salter discovers the delights of the emerging SASC historical data base
We all have our foibles. Among my lesser obsessions is the urge to waste inordinate amounts of time fossicking on the internet for old images of boating on Sydney Harbour. The detail in glass-plate photography from a century ago is endlessly evocative. Much of the fun is trying to identify the period, locations, occasions and individual craft. Here, for example, is a scene from the late 1920s or early ’30s taken from Kirribilli. The photographer set up his camera beside the public wharf.
If we look closely at the boatman striding up the landing the letters “RSYS” are just discernible across his chest. In the background five yachts are proceeding line astern towards the main harbour. There’s an RSYS burgee flying atop the flagstaff. So it is reasonable, to assume that the photo was probably taken on a Squadron Opening Day. But let’s look even closer. The jackyard topsail cutter on the right of frame has a sail number: A43. She’s from the Amateurs! What yacht was it? And that’s where the archive data base being so patiently compiled by Life Member and former Commodore Fred Bevis comes in. I emailed Fred this simple question: “Who was A43 in the late ’20s and early ’30s?” Within minutes back came this reply: Caprice, three owners who are Club Members: Cooke J T, on SASC Register 1914, Kelly Cup Winner 1947. 16 SASC NEWS Photo John Jeremy Pfeiffer H E (Harry), on Register 1932. Gold Medals 1933 D1, 35 D1, 51 D2, & 68 D1. Pfeiffer A D (Tony), on Register for him 2000. Built by B C Lucas, Designed by W Fife III in 1900. On the Australian Register of Historic Vessels. Refer: The Amateurs book: article p.131, photos pp 59, 132, 133.
Pretty damn impressive. Fred is still refining his system so that it can be accessible via the SASC website in conventional data search format (pull-down menus, active links etc). But the depth and detail of the information is already exceptional and it will be a wonderful lasting asset for the Club and its members. Of course, there are always some interesting associated rabbits to chase down the burrow. For instance, there is a Caprice with the sail number A43 on the current SAS register. Is that the same yacht? The quickest way to confirm its identity is via the Index to the SASC News, a massive resource compiled by Peter Hamilton as part of the archive project. The Index lists every mention by name of any Amateurs yacht, the date of that edition of the News, the page number and whether there is a photo. And there she was. There are multiple citations for Caprice and photos of how she looks today, beautifully restored back to her original gaff rig in 2016 by Sean Langman at Noakes. Bill Gale even chipped in with a clarification that the yacht was actually designed by a certain A Blore “based on an original design by William Fife”. Another mystery solved by the power of good archiving.
Now, while I have your attention, let me tell you about the builder, Charles Lucas. He was born at Sorell, Tasmania, in 1864 and turned out a variety of boats from skiffs to 55-foot trading ketches at his Battery Point yard for half a century. Among the racing yachts were Spindrift (now Weene, well known to Amateurs members) and Tassie Too, the champion 21-foot restricted classer that won the Forster Cup in 1928. When old Charlie finally retired and sold his yard in 1936 The Mercury reported that he “commands the esteem of yachtsmen, fishermen and river traders”. But to complicate matters even further, one of the 21-footers he built was also called Caprice (owned by a Mr E. H. Webster). I wonder what became of her? Don’t get me started…
Caprice today
Photo by John Jeremy
