EAST DONYLAND / ROWHEDGE
SYBARITA
- Colne crewmen
OWNER MR. WHITAKER WRIGHT
Whitaker Wright was a wealthy businessman and conman whose suicide at the Royal Courts of Justice following his conviction for fraud in 1904 led to panic at the London Stock Exchange. See the Wikipedia entry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitaker_Wright.
Sybarita was built at Glasgow in 1900 and her registry was closed in 1904.
THE TIMES - 23 June 1900 - “THE KIEL REGATTA. KIEL, June 22. - In to-days race in Kiel Bay Mr. Whitaker Wright’s Sybarita, of Ryde, which started in the first class for the Emperor’s extra prize, had to give up soon after the start owing to the breaking of her topmast. The Sybarita has returned to harbour.”
THE TIMES - 27 June 1900 - “THE KIEL REGATTA. ECKENFÖRDE, June 26.- In to-days racing for Prince Henry’s Cup, the course being from Kiel to Eckenförde, a distance of 51 nautical miles, Mr. Wright’s Sybarita passed the winning line at 4.16 and the Imperial yacht Meteor at 4.26.”
THE TIMES - 28 June 1900 - “THE KIEL REGATTA. KIEL, June 27. - The official result of yesterday’s race over the Kiel-Eckernförde course is as follows:- First prize, Mr. Wright’s Sybarita. Time, 8hrs. 11min. 25sec.
Second prize, the Emperor’s yacht Meteor. Time, 8hrs. 21min. 38sec.
The wind was easterly, with a velocity of under five miles.
To-day there is a handicap race from Eckernförde to Kiel. The race is not yet concluded, but up to the present the Sybarita is some 200 metres ahead of the Meteor.”
THE TIMES - 2 July 1900 - “KIEL REGATTA. TRAVEMUNDE, June 30.- The yacht race from Kiel to Travemunde was sailed yesterday in a north-westerly wind blowing 3.2 knots an hour. Mr. Whitaker Wright’s Sybarita reached here at 10.19 p.m., having taken 14hrs. 14min. 19sec. to sail the distance. The German Emperor’s Meteor arrived at 10.31 p.m., having completed the course in 14hrs. 26min. 13sec. The Sybarita wins the first prize (the German Emperor’s Cup), and the Meteor the second prize.”
THE TIMES - Monday 13 August 1900 - “ROYAL PORTSMOUTH CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB - The Solent regattas were continued on Saturday at Southsea, when the above club held its annual matches. The weather was a direct contrast to that which had prevailed during the greater part of Cowes week. In place of the heavy rain and squalls there was a bright, hot sun and very light air. The chief interest was centred in the first of the ten events on the programme from the fact that Sybarita was a competitor. True, she had only handicappers to contend with, but a concession of 24 minutes to Brynhild over a 44 mile course would not give her much opportunity of lagging on the way. As a matter of fact, her performance in the light airs was a wonderful one. At times when Brynhild had only just enough breeze to fill her sails Sybarita was going through the water at a great pace, and however light the air it always seemed sufficient to enable her to draw away from the fleet. The calms spoiled the racing to a great extent....”
Sybarita won the handicap race (£40) for yachts exceeding 75 tons.
THE TIMES - Wednesday 15 August 1900 - “RACING IN THE SOLENT - Racing in the Solent was continued at Ryde yesterday in bright sunshine, under the burgee of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Light fluky airs spoiled the racing. The Commodore’s Cup (a handicap race for yachts exceeding 75 tons) was won by Sybarita, who again showed that she is a marvellous boat in paltry winds....”
THE TIMES - Thursday 16 August 1900 - ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUB - Sybarita won the Vice-Commodore’s Cup, value £150, in a race for yachts exceeding 40 tons against an impressive list of opponents.... Clara, Namara, Creole, Khama, Brynhild, Erycina, Maid Marion, Nordwest, Caress and Columbine.
THE TIMES - Saturday 18 August 1900 - ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUB - Sybarita won the handicap race for yachts exceeding 40 tons against the same competitors.
THE TIMES - Monday 27 August 1900 - ROYAL DORSET YACHT CLUB REGATTA. Saturday - “The weather was fine, but the wind was very light and fluky, making late finishes. Sybarita won the handicap for the big boats, easily conceding all her time allowances.”
Sybarita’s opponents were - Brynhild, Clara, Betty and Namara .
CREW LIST 1900
SYBARITA - Official Number: 111267
Port of Registry: Glasgow
Gross Tonnage: 114
Registered Owner: Whitaker Wright, Esq., Lea Park, Godalming, Surrey
“On a yachting cruise to France, Spain, Portugal, or any ports or places in the Mediterranean Sea either European or African ports therein included and Baltic Sea and coasts of Norway, Denmark & Germany. Cruise not exceeding about six months.... The Clothes served out to the Crew are considered the property of the owner until the voyages terminate & the season ends and vessel’s crew is paid off. Anchor watch to be relieved on Deck and Bell struck accordingly. No Spirits or Liquors to be brought on Board without permission of the Master - Any member of the crew detected in smuggling to be liable to instant dismissal. Three shillings per week extra per man for good conduct money.
Racing Money - £1. payable for the 1st Prize. 15s/- payable for the 2nd Prize, and 2/6 allowed each man in lieu of food &c. on racing days only."
Signed C. Bevis, Master, 14 June 1900
Date and Place of Commencement of Voyage: 14 June 1900 Cowes.
Date and Place of Termination of Voyage: 13 Sept. 1900 Southampton.
LOCAL CREWMEN
C. Bevis, 36, born Hants, Master
W. Cranfield, 22, born Essex, of Regent Street Rowhedge, last served on SENGA 1899, 2nd Mate. Prize money: For 1st prize 30/-, 2nd prize £1.
W. Clark, 34, born Wivenhoe, of New Cut Rowhedge, ex VALFRIA (sic) 1899, 2nd Cook
Fred Lungley, 30, born Essex, of St. John’s Street Brightlingsea, ex CAPRICE 1899, Boatswain
P. Salmon, 25, born Brightlingsea, of same, ex SENGA 1899, AB
G. Garrad, 21, born Essex, of Hope Cottage Wivenhoe, ex NAMARA 1899, AB
A. Scarff, 28, born Essex, of Albion Street Rowhedge, ex SHAMROCK 1899, AB, 1/- per week extra as Coxswain of Gig
Alfred Byford, 32, born Essex, of 55 Vineyard Street Colchester, ex MOINA 1899, AB 1/- per week extra as Mastheadsman
W. Allen, 24, born Essex, of Jubilee Field Rowhedge, ex SHAMROCK 1899, AB
R. Wadley, 32, born Essex, of Alma Street Wivenhoe, ex SHAMROCK 1899, AB
H. Chaplin, 26, born Essex, of Brightlingsea, ex EMMA 1900, AB
J. King, 30, born Essex, of High Street Rowhedge, ex SHAMROCK 1899, AB, 1/- extra per week as Lamp Trimmer
A. Allen, 28, born Essex, of Albert (sic) Albion (?) Street Rowhedge, ex SHAMROCK 1899, AB
Oscar Springett, 27, born Essex of Rowhedge, ex BRITANNIA 1899, AB
J. Green, 30, born Harwich, of East Street Wivenhoe, ex PENITON (sic) PENITENT(?) 1899, AB
J. Major, 32, born Essex, of Brightlingsea, ex CAPRICE 1899, AB
B. Chaplin, 29, born Essex, of Brightlingsea, ex EMMA 1900, AB
A. Potter, 34, born Essex, of 3 Watsham Terrace Tollesbury, ex SHAMROCK 1899, AB
THE SHIELDS DAILY GAZETTE - 12 June 1901 - “YACHT RACE ON THE CLYDE - Yesterday Mr. Kenneth Clark’s yacht Kariad and Mr. Whitaker Wright’s yawl Sybarita ran from Rothesay, Clyde, round Ailsa Craig and back for £500 a side. The race took place in a gale of wind and a high sea. The Sybarita led most of the day and got home seven minutes ahead, and two minutes outside her time allowance. The race was over sixty miles, and was the fastest sailed on the Clyde.”
THE TIMES - 8 June 1901 - “YACHTING ON THE CLYDE - ....Sybarita once more showed a wonderful power of getting along in almost imperceptible airs, and the new Kariad, while evidently suited in a lustier breeze, made a very creditable first appearance....”
The Glasgow Exhibition Regatta - Match for yachts above 79 rating. Prizes value £250. Start at 11a.m. Course from starting line off Craigmore Pier to Mount Stuart, Towmont-end, Wemyss Bay, and back, twice round with distance to Towmont-end, and back to Craigmore, 47 miles. Sybarita won the first prize, beating Shamrock I, the German Emperor’s Meteor and Kariad.
CREW LIST 1901
SYBARITA - Official Number: 111267
Port of Registry: Glasgow
Gross Tonnage: 114
Registered Owner: Whitaker Wright, Esq., Lea Park, Godalming, Surrey
“On a yachting cruise to France, Spain, Portugal, or any ports or places in the Mediterranean Sea either European or African ports therein included and Baltic Sea and coasts of Norway, Denmark & Germany. Cruise not exceeding about six months.... The Clothes served out to the Crew are considered the property of the owner until the voyages terminate & the season ends and vessel’s crew is paid off. Anchor watch to be relieved on Deck and Bell struck accordingly. No Spirits or Liquors to be brought on Board without permission of the Master - Any member of the crew detected in smuggling to be liable to instant dismissal. Three shillings per week extra per man for good conduct money.
Racing Money - £1. payable for the 1st Prize. 15s/- payable for the 2nd Prize, and 2/6 allowed each man in lieu of food &c. on racing days only.
Signed C. Bevis, Master, 20 May 1901
Date and Place of Commencement of Voyage: 20 May 1901 Southampton.
Date and Place of Termination of Voyage: 17 Aug. 1901 Southampton.
LOCAL CREWMEN
C. Bevis, 36, born Hants, Master
G. Garrad, 23, born Essex, of Hope Cottage Wivenhoe, same ship, Messroom Steward
A. Cranfield, 20, born Essex, of High Street Rowhedge, ex STORMFOGEL 1901, AB
H. Chaplin, 27, born Essex, of 46 John Street Brightlingsea, ex EMMA 1900, AB
P. Salmon, 27, born Essex, of 18 or 78 New Road Brightlingsea, same ship, AB
The crew list for 1902 shows no local men on Sybarita which was now owned by Myles B. Kennedy.
