Bloodhound

Bloodhound
Rig Class.Cutter
Year built:1874
Fate:Lost in a fire whilst ashore at Cowes in 1922
General characteristics
Class & Type:Cutter
Ton:40 tons TM
LOA:62 feet
Beam:12.3 feet
Draught:7.8 feet

Bloodhound
was built in 1874 for the Marquis of Ailsa to be raced on the Clyde and at Cowes.  She represents the apogee of the straight-stemmed cutter and was a beautiful example of the forty-tonners under the Royal Thames Yacht Club's rule then in use.  She began winning prizes virtually from the day she was launched and in 1875 she was the crack 40-tonner.  These yachts were known for their grace and sea-keeping qualities. They were extremely strong and could race in winds that would lift the mast out of many modern craft.  In six seasons she collected 72 prizes before passing into the hands of Thomas Dunlop who brought in another 28 between 1902 and 1906.

The main photo opposite shows her still going well in August 1913.

Her mast was the Squadron's mast until 2015 when it was condemned and replaced by an exact replica in galvanised steel.  Her tiller is high up on the end wall of the Platform.

8 feet long, and a very fine piece of mahogany, it is carved to simulate rope, is banded with brass and features a bloodhound’s head at the end.


  


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