Guinness (or Atlantic) Clipper

[paul.norton]

The son of a chap I worked with in the early 1980s was a crew member aboard this vessel.

It was a newly steel-built sailing vessel with a fore and aft rig - can't remember the layout - which plied between the UK and Caribbean. I know they did several round trips successfully but I understand the venture eventually folded.

The last I heard, she was sold into the West Indies for inter-island trading. Does anyone know more?

Regards

Paul

 

[Bajansailor]

Hello Paul,

I did a bit of googling, and 'found' her in the Whitsundays - although she looks very different now!
http://www.atlanticclipper.com.au/site/facilities/

She was built by F L Steelcraft in Wales, designed I think by David Thomas and Hugh Welbourn, originally called Guinness Clipper and then re-named Atlantic Clipper (or the other way around?) - I think that Guinness shipped a load of their draught black stuff out to the Windies on one of her early voyages.
And the accomodation plan suggests that she also had cabins for for up to 12 passengers, in addition to the crew.

I found a website about her a few years ago, with photos from when she was trading in the Caribbean - but I cannot find it now! I did save the photos on the website though, and will copy them below.

A rather small lines plan :

General Arrangement plan :

A few photos of her sailing transatlantic :

And some photos of the hold, and cargo handling - that is one huge CQR anchor next to the car!

Here she is loading cargo in Plymouth :

And discharging a heavy tractor in St Vincent :

 

[paul.norton]

Thanks

Bajansailor,

Many thanks for your reply. I believe the chap I was originally referring to was called Tim Leary - if I remember correctly.

After one particularly rough trip back to the UK, his father told me the wind was so high that the wind-powered generator literally exploded. I remember hearing of problems with shipping agents who used to book in unsuitable cargoes.

Regards

Paul

 

[MikeJones]

I did a trip on the Atlantic Clipper with Tim Leary (great guy) many years ago, boat was falling apart due to the very inexpensive build, plenty of second hand parts used from engines to winches. Main mast cracked at top spreader & hull cracked, hard work but good fun as well.
Had a brilliant time in the Caribbean, but at that age everythign was fun.
Originally there was six bunks in four cabins, two large holds and that's about it.
No inside steering so very cold in January North Atlantic, everything manual in deck, nothing powered.

 

[paul.norton]

Tim Leary

Last time I saw Tim's father, Brian, a long time ago now, he told me Tim was a harbourmaster (or similar) at Milford Haven.

regards

paul

 

[Tim Leary]

Atlantic Clipper

Last time I saw Tim's father, Brian, a long time ago now, he told me Tim was a harbourmaster (or similar) at Milford Haven.

regards

paul

Great to see some interest in my old ship. I'm far from being Harbour Master in Milford Haven, but I do work in one of the oil terminals there on the jetty!
I was involved with SV.Atlantic Clipper from when she was first in Southampton after being built in Borth N.Wales. She hadn't had her masts stapped when I turned up on the scene.
I helped prepare her for her maiden voyage. Was onboard on the "Round the island" race arround IOW as her trial day, and cast her off on first trip from Plymouth to Antigua - There was already a full crew for the first trip, so I had to wait for the second.
My stories and photo's are numerous and remember it all with fondness.
I did three trips out and back and stayed in the islands for a couple of months trying to help increase return cargo's to the UK.
Pushed for time now, but excited to find this thread and will add stuff in the future.
Thanks Paul, Mike (for the compliment) and for being good crew member, and Bajan sailor for the images.
Hope this thread digs out a few more old sea dogs!

 

[gilesclark]

Was onboard on the "Round the island" race arround IOW as her trial day

Oddly so was I. I had arrived down on the previous day as part of a Press Trip, I was working for Fairplay at the time. Spookily the skipper was Neil Winton, who I had been at Riversdale Nautical College with. I seem to remember after a "run ashore" in the Frog & Frigate I stayed put for the Round the Island Race the following day.

Was an interesting project and only sad that it didn't really work out.

 

[JaVa]

Alright Tim? Long time no see!

 

[21.5]

Hi Guys, thought the Clipper would sail into the internet one day! Just found some pictures to add. Hope you're all keeping well.

This was taken at the beginning of the storm they were talking about above. It was taken when you could still get on deck - it soon became impossible! I remember a total whiteout with the only discernible sea surface being the water that was being sloshed around in the scuppers which were themselves half under water because we were being pushed sideways through the sea on one beam then the other. Five of us could barely move the wheel such was the force. The Walker log was being blown around like a feather and, yes, the wind generator first screamed, then smoked and then disintegrated (just above my head) as the blades were pushed so far back that they hit the stanchion. You couldn't look up into the wind and the general noise was deafening.


Tim and the ship's cat.






Bert the cameraman. I do have a very rough copy of the video somewhere and did digitise it (silently) once. Will try to find it and post on Youtube or somewhere.


Jar.


Jar, Tim and the Geest Bay banana boat that was to later rescue Richard Branson.




I have more!

 

[21.5]

...and who could forget this guy!

 

[JaVa]

Just to clarify for you - the photos and line drawings are for two different vessels. The line drawings never got built. There was a good go at reviving the idea 20 years ago and hands were shaken on a deal to fund it that then feel through. The new boat(s) were going to be bigger and carry 12 passengers - the AC only accommodated 6 crew.

I only checked back here when someone reconnected after 30 years so please feel free to use jarvahey@gmail.com with any questions about the ship, photo exchange, reconnection etc etc. Jar

 

[Don10]

Hi
I built the Guinness clipper for Jeff Allen
I would be really pleased to receive any info as I am writing a book about the Clipper and the many other vessels that we built at my yard in Borth

 

[Don10]

Just to clarify for you - the photos and line drawings are for two different vessels. The line drawings never got built. There was a good go at reviving the idea 20 years ago and hands were shaken on a deal to fund it that then feel through. The new boat(s) were going to be bigger and carry 12 passengers - the AC only accommodated 6 crew.

I only checked back here when someone reconnected after 30 years so please feel free to use jarvahey@gmail.com with any questions about the ship, photo exchange, reconnection etc etc. Jar

 

[Don10]

Hi there
I built the clipper for Jeff Allen
I am writing a book on this and many of the other vessels that we built so I would be really pleased to receive any other information about the operation of the clipper
Regards
Don

 

[JaVa]

Hi there
I built the clipper for Jeff Allen
I am writing a book on this and many of the other vessels that we built so I would be really pleased to receive any other information about the operation of the clipper
Regards
Don

Hi Don. I can probably put you in touch with Jeff. Email me at jarvahey@gmail.com and we'll take it from there. Jar