The Lost History
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A catalogue of famous names destroyed never to be seen again.
SPIRIT OF ECSTACY |
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| GYPSY GIRL Owned by Sir Max Aitken. GG was one of the many boats Sir Max, the founder of the Cowes Torquay, campaigned in the 60’s. She was designed by Ray Hunt and built by Souters. Power was by 2 Cummins diesels. Destroyed by Gibraltar authorities after being used for smuggling. |
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BLUE MOPPIE
Dick Bertram and Sam Griffiths entry in the 1962 Cowes Torquay, later raced by Keith Schellenberg and Bill Shand-Kydd. Another Ray Hunt design from the Bertram stable was powered by 2 Holman Moody Fords totalling 800hp ,finished 2nd to Tramontana in the 1962 race. |
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| MISS EMBASSY Tommy Sopwiths experimental Gas Turbine powered Planatec 40ft Shead again another victim of smugglers, destroyed in Gibraltar. |
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MERRY GO ROUND/ THUNDERFISH
Built on the plug of Surfury for Max Aitken to Sonny Levi’s design she was originally built to break the diesel record with Cummins Diesels, which she did on Southampton water, was then shipped to Miami for the Miami Nassau race but was dropped on the docks. On her return to GB she was sold to Albert Figgins and Don Shead, re-engined with Turbo Charged Daytona’s rated at 500hp each ….She unfortunately caught fire after a prop shaft sheared and speared the hull off the Nab Tower setting the petrol tanks alight. She burnt to the waterline, all crew were safe and Mr Figgins had the nose cone turned into a cocktail cabinet after it was found later in the year. |
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| GEE The original Gee built for Edward Greenall of the Brewing family by Souters was designed by Jim Wynn based on Ghost Riders Hull shape and was last seen by the author this year (2007) in Cowes. The second Gee was an aluminium Shead design and was later owned by Henry Hector. The boat was confiscated by the Gibraltar’s Customs and Excise department after being used for drug running and subsequently destroyed. |
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| FLYING FISH During the 60’s a colourful character of Sri Lankan descent named Dr Savandra built several boats with the name JACKIE, after his daughter. Just before the crash of his Fire & Marine Insurance Company he had commissioned Vosper’s to build an aluminium racer powered by 2 Daytona Turbo’s with structural input from Mitsubishi no less. The boat took part in the 1966 Cowes Torquay and was leading when off Portland Bill they hit a large submerged object which ripped the seams apart…..Mike Trimming was driving on behalf of the new owner , his name ALBERT FIGGINS , it does seem that lightning does strike twice and Mr H was once again rescued from his sinking craft. Navy divers found the wreck some years later but she was never recovered. |
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