Blackpool and Fleetwood Jewel Class
Amethyst
Amethyst was a Blackpool and Fleetwood Jewel Class Yacht built by William Crossfield and Sons in 1911. She took part racing at Fleetwood from 1911 to 1914. Her history post 1918 is unknown
Boat statistics
- Built
- 1911
- Length Over All
- 23 ft (7.01 m)
- Waterline
- 19.5 ft (5.94 m)
- Beam
- 6.8 ft (2.07 m)
- Draft
- 4 ft (1.22 m)
- Weight
- 3
- Construction
- Carvel - Pitch Pine hull, Oak frames, Long keel slopping forefront
- Rig
- Gaff Cutter
Introduction
One of the first boats to be delivered, Amethyst took part in the first Jewel Class Race in 1911. Her crew is recorded as being Messrs Hammers (presumably two brothers). She lost time at the start from crossing the line too early and having to be recalled.
In 1913 she is recorded as being owned by Charles Tatham, the long standing club secretary and driving force behind the yacht club from 1900s to the 1940s.
Full History
Racing 1911 - 1914
Amethyst will have taken part in the Jewel Class Races at Fleetwood on a regular basis. She came third in the Jewel Class Race at the Fleetwood Regatta in 1913 when skippered by Charles Tatham.
Charles Tatham (1880 - 1954) owner 1913 - 1914
Charles Tatham who owned Amethyst in 1913 was Secretary of Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club for 33 years from 1906 till 1939. He was driving force behind the club. He served as Commodore from 1935 to 1938, as well as remaining as club secretary at that time, He was President of the Club, an honorary role from 1947 till his death in 1954.
Born in Blackpool in 1880, he was a solicitor. Charles was a founding member of the club in 1906. In 1919 he was elected a Blackpool Councillor, serving as Mayor in 1933-34 and Alderman from 1934. He served as a Lt .RNVR for three years on a minesweeper during the First World War. In 1951 he was Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Lancashire. He was married with two sons and three daughters.
Yachts owned by Charles Tatham included Lady Anne and Zulu. In 1938 he set the record time for the Fleetwood – Isle of Man Race of 6 hours 52 minutes in Zulu. In 1931 after he had sold her, Lady Anne sailed herself back to Fleetwood after her crew had gone missing.
In July 1928 whilst sailing Lady Anne in rough conditions, Charles Tatham rescued the crew from the Britannia a Barrow yacht. Britannia which had been caught by the ebbing tide when trying to get into Fleetwood was drifting into the sand bank by Wyre Light. Britannia set off flares which were seen by Lady Anne. The rescue was reported in the Daily Mirror.
Blackpool and Fleetwood’s Clubhouse on the River Wyre at Skippool which is opened in 1966 is named after Charles Tatham.