Sailing Magazine
1922 08 24 – mercuryby Richard Crockett
During 1921 the PYC gave advance notice of the dates for the following (next) contest, those being in August 1922, thus giving the challenger sufficient time to plan, prepare and contest.
‘Erica’ had been stored in a Cape Town shed during the war. The syndicate which owned her, indicated in May 1922, that she was at the Club’s disposal for the contest, resulting in the RCYC issuing the PYC with a challenge. Advocate Upington was appointed the skipper, while the PYC had indicated that ‘Skebenga’ was to again be their steed.
The contest started with the cancellation of the first race due to heavy weather, while the second saw ‘Skebenga’ disqualified and ‘Erica’ retire with a sprung mast. It appears that the Sailing Committee, at the last minute, reversed the course of the second race, which Spradbrow was not aware of. The recall signal was sounded as she was on the wrong course. Although ‘Erica’ had started correctly, and had the ability to hand one to the Durban team, she sprung her mast shortly after the start. ‘Skebenga’ later was disqualified by the Sailing Committee.
The Natal Mercury stated that the reversal of the course was given verbally to the skippers – apparently being bawled out to the crews through a megaphone!
It came to light after this race that ‘Erica’s’ mast was the same one as she used in the 1914 contest! The Natal Mercury said this: The ‘Erica’s’ mast seems to have been more seriously damaged than at first thought. It was badly splintered about eight feet from the top, and there is a further spring lower down. Even if it is repaired there is no guarantee that it will withstand the weight of heavy winds. The mast is the same one used in the 1914 races, so the Cape Town men cannot be congratulated on their foresight. Every yachtsman knows that it is foolhardy to enter a race without being sure that everything on the boat is as far as possible in perfect order and of the best. It is stated that splicing was necessary to the mast in 1914, and if that is true it makes the action of the Cape Town men in using it in the present race more incomprehensible that ever. Cape Town can never expect to win the Lipton Trophy while bad rigging or a mst of doubtful strength are employed.”
‘Skebenga’ won race two, sailing the course alone as ‘Erica’ did not start. While quite entitled to complete the course alone in terms of the rules, there was a huge outcry and dissension from many who felt the actions of her skipper was unsporting.
Due to ‘Erica’s’ severely damaged mast, and no spare nor repair possible, it appears that ‘Skebenga’ sailed the final race alone. So the PYC again retained the Cup in what was a rather farcical and one-sided contest.
READ MORE HERE: 1922 08 24 – mercury
