THE WEETAMOE'S STORY

Category: WEETAMOE

The launching of Weetamoe - The Mariners' MuseumIn answer to Lipton’s challenge of 1929 the Americans designed four J-Class yachts as possible defenders. Enterprise, Whirlwind, Yankee and Weetamoe were launched within a month of each other; Weetamoe and Enterprise from the Herreshoff yard and Yankee and Whirlwind from Lawley & Son’s yard in Bristol.
Weetamoe was designed by Clinton Crane for a syndicate headed by George Nichols and Junius S. Morgan.

Weetamoe - 1934Cost estimated at $300,000 for hull, rig and sails. The narrowest of the four candidates for the U.S. defense.

Weetamoe came very very near to being the chosen ship, as the list of races won by the for built in America to the “J” class rule, that year will show:
• Enterprise (80 ft. LWL) – won 14 races
• Weetamoe (83 ft. LWL) – won 12 races
• Yankee (84 ft. LWL) – won 7 races
• Whirlwind (86 ft. LWL) – won 1 race

Sold to Fredrick Henry Prince, October, 1930. Hull modified for 1934, including larger and heavier keel; believed to be slower, later restored to original configuration. Weetamoe also raced in the off-years between defenses.

 

WEETAMOE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES

WEETAMOE STICKS FAST TO THE WAYS; WORKMEN'S EFFORTS FAIL

Morgan Boat, After Christening by Miss Nichols, Rafuses to Take Initial Dip. After Two Hours' Work, Launching at Bristol Is PostponedUntil Tomorrow.

BRISTOL, R.I., May 8.--Weetamoe, the America's Cup yacht that has been called the Morgan boat, was duly christened this afternoon, but is still in the shed. She was built here at the Herreshoff Shipyard and refused to be launched.

MAST IS STEPPED IN THE WEETAMOE; TRIAL SPIN LIKELY TODAY

May 19, 1930 - America's Cup Yacht Equipped With 164-Foot Stick at Herreshoff Yard. Spar Is Put in Place With Only One Pair of Spreaders and Proves Its Strength.

FIRST TRIAL SAIL MADE BY WEETAMOE; RATSEY PRAISES BALANCE

May 22, 1930 - America's Cup Yacht Displays Speed in Trip on Narragansett Bay. Terms Performance of Boat Very Satisfactory - J.S. Morgan Jr.and Nichols Aboard.

WEETAMOE BOUGHT BY BOSTON BANKER; WILL COMPETE IN CLASS J

F.H. Prince Purchases Former America's Cup Candidate From Morgan Syndicate. Enterprise, Whirlwind and Yankee Also Expected to Race as Group Next Summer. Designed by Crane. Yankee's Fate Unsettled. Cost Estimated at $500,000. Pointed High Against Wind.

BOSTON, Oct. 20, 1930 - Frederick H. Prince, banker and sportsman of Boston and Hamilton, has purchased the America's Cup candidate, Weetamoe, and will race her next Summer in Class J, he announced today. Cost Estimated at $500,000.

YACHT WEETAMOE BEING TRANSFORMED IN COMPLIANCE WITH NEW RULING

Work in Connection With Requirements for America's Cup Boats Under Way at Bristol--Cruising Fittings Replace Devices of Racing Machine--Aluminum Furniture One of Innovations. Weight First Consideration. Interior of White Enamel.

March 21, 1931 - Carrying out the new international ruling that requires America's Cup yachts to have cruising fittings and restricts them to a minimum weight of masts and the deck operation of rigging, Frederick H. Prince of Boston, now owner of the yacht Weetamoe, is having her transformed at the Herreshoff yard in Bristol, R.I., where she was built.

HOVEY PURCHASES YACHT WEETAMOE. OLD RIG IS TO BE USED

Will Race With Yankee and Rainbow This Summer. New Owner Will Try Boat Out Without Changes.

BOSTON, April 30, 1936 - Chandler Hovey today confirmed a consistent report of the last few days that he had purchased from Frederick H. Prince the yacht Weetamoe, twice unsuccessful candidate for defense of the America's Cup.

WEETAMOE EXCELS IN YACHTING TEST

Weighted Down to an 87-Foot Waterline Length, Hovey's Boat Outsails Rainbow.

NEWPORT, R.I., Aug. 21, 1936. -Tired after their grueling racing on the New York Yacht Club cruise, the large craft skippers left for home ports today. The talked-of aftermath of two days of competition among the big fellows off here failed to appeal to them.

WEETAMOE TAKES ON SORRY APPEARANCE

April 29, 1937 - Shored up on the beach was Weetamoe, which Mr. Hovey owned and raced last There was a hole in the deck housing over Weetamoe and a ladder extended up to it. Through the hole and down the ladder were brought out of Weetamoe what could be used in the way of replacements for Rainbow. Weetamoe began to take on a sorry appearance, and in a few days will be little more than a bronze shell.

WEETAMOE TO BE JUNKED

BRISTOL, R.I., April 8, 1938 - America's Cup Defense Trial Yacht Sold for Metal