signed lower left: "John Mecray"
oil on linen
20 x 48 in. (50.8 x 121.9 cm.)

FOOTNOTES
The J-class yacht Shamrock V is probably the best known of the J-class yachts. Designed by Charles Nicholson for Sir Thomas Lipton to compete in the 1930 America's Cup. Following her launch on 14 April 1930 she showed early promise on the British Regatta circuit winning 15 of 22 races. On the American side, Winthrop Aldrich's syndicate emerged from the competitive round-robins with Enterprise as the eventual defender.

The first of the best-of-seven races was a convincing victory for Enterprise winning by nearly three minutes. Shamrock V was to fare worse in the second race losing by nearly 10 minutes. The third race finally provided the assembled thousands on the shore at Newport, the racing they craved. Shamrock V's initial lead at the start was relinquished to Enterprise after a tacking duel. Following this surrender disaster struck, as Shamrock V's main halyard parted and her sail collapsed to the deck. The fourth race clinched the cup for Enterprise after which Sir Thomas Lipton was heard to utter "I can't win".

Sir Thomas Sopwith bought Shamrock V in 1931 as a trial horse to gain J-Class racing experience. He would add his own aeronautical expertise and material knowledge to build and perfect his challenger for the 16th America's cup, Endeavour. Shamrock V was then sold to Sopwith's aviation friend, and fellow yachtsman, Sir Richard Fairey campaigning her against other J-Class yachts Velsheda, Endeavour, and Yankee during the 1935 regatta season. In 1937, Shamrock V was sold to the Italian senator and industrialist Mario Crespi. This prompted Shamrock V's only name change to Quadrifoglio (Cloverleaf). Crespi also the modified Shamrock V for comfort by installing a maple interior. In 1962 Piero Scanu acquired her and instigated a comprehensive three year overhaul commencing in 1967 with Shamrock V returning to the Camper and Nicholson yard. In 1986, Shamrock V returned to the ownership of the Lipton Tea Company who donated her to the Museum of Yachting at Newport, Rhode Island. Another extensive restoration was instigated by her new owners and undertaken by Elizabeth Meyer in 1989. Following changes of ownership in the 1990s and another renovation, Shamrock V participated in a fitting reunion in August 2001 with the only two remaining J-Classes, Endeavour, and Velsheda, for the America's Cup Jubilee in the Solent.