"Australia II," says Wiki, "bearing sail number KA6, represented the Royal Perth Yacht Club of Australia in its September 1983 challenge for the America's Cup. The defender, the New York Yacht Club, had held the cup since 1851, dominating challengers and sustaining the longest winning streak in sport."
She was stuffed into a corner down the back of the Maritime Museum. Good display (downstairs) with all kinds of info on her and the America's Cup and even on the kind of sails they used way back in 1870.
Thar she blows. The famous winged keel.
Winged keels provide better stability for a boat, by lowering its centre of gravity.
The trim on a sail refers to the amount of cloth of the sail opened up to the wind so a trimmer looks after the amount of trim. Can't find out what a sewerman is (thank fuck) or a grinder but there's three whatsits for raising and lowering sails and three crew down as "grinder" so chances are a grinder's a raiser and lowerer of sails. The bowman probably looks after the spinnaker which is the sail over the bow.
Australia II Crew, Race seven 1983 America's Cup:
John Bertrand - Skipper
Grant Simmer - Navigator
Hugh Treharne - Tactician
Colin Beashel - Mainsheet Trimmer
Skip Lissiman - Port Trimmer
Ken Judge - Starboard Trimmer
Peter Costello - Sewerman/Grinder
Brian Richardson - Grinder
Phil Smidmore - Mastman
John Longley - Grinder
Damian Fewster - Bowman
From the original 1870 (left) America's Cup yacht style to the Australia II in 1983 (middle) to the 2000 NZ entry Black Magic (right).
These drawings are in proportion to each other by the way. Shows how tall the yachts got in 130 years.
Our Prime Minister of the time, Bob Hawke, wore this jacket on TV when Australia won the America's Cup in 1983 and famously said "Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum."
Hawke could drink a yard of beer in one go, which is what you look for in a Prime Minister.
Orientation Day
Map of Bustling Downtown Freo.
1. Maritime Museum, where the Australia II is now.
2. Cicerello's and Success Harbour, formerly Fishermans Harbour.
3. HMAS Ovens, decommisioned submarine, outside the Maritime Museum.
4. Fremantle Town Hall.
5. Round House and Whalers' Tunnel, Arthur Head.
Boat of a different design
Pasha Bulker aground on Nobbys Beach Newcastle in June 2007, taken by Michael from Stockton Beach.
To the right of her you can see the tow cables stretching away to the tugs.
Pasha Bulker aground on Nobbys Beach Newcastle in June 2007, viewed from Stockton Beach. She ran aground during the June storms and was finally floated off (in one of 2007's great anti-climaxes) about a week ago.
Taken and emailed in by Michael. Ta mate.
Dark as buggery here this afternoon. Looks like it's going to piss down again. It's weird having rain in winter again after all the drought winters.
3 comments:
glad to be of help spike
on another note - have you noticed another set of traffic lights going in at Woy Woy near deepwater plaza?
Living by the water as you do, do get much sailing in yourself, Spike?
Michael, I have indeed. And local reactions seem to be divided into two distinct camps: 1) "Bastards! Not another set!" and 2) "About bloody time!"
Suzanne, sadly I do not. Used to go sailing but I am now boatless. Still, that won't last forever.
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