Blackpool and Fleetwood Jewel Class
Iolite
Iolite was a Blackpool and Fleetwood Jewel Class Yacht built by William Crossfield and Sons in 1911. Iolite was raced regularly at Fleetwood between 1911 and 1914. She won the first Ladies Race in August 1913. 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 Sloop (Single foresail)
Introduction
Iolite first owner was probably F.W.Lees (Fred) of St Annes. Iolite won the Ladies Race in August 1913 when helmed by Miss Ainsworth.
History by Year
-
1911
Built by William Crossfield and Sons in Arnside
-
July 1912
Won Race to Lune No 1 Buoy and back
Helmed by F.W.Lees
-
Aug 1913
Won Ladies Race
Helmed by Miss Ainsworth
Full History
Racing 1911 - 14
Iolite’s first owner was probably F.W.Lees (Fred). He is recorded as winning the race out to Lune No 1 Buoy in July 1912 in six hours fifty minutes beating the second boat Emerald by 5 minutes
F.W.Lees lived in St Annes. In the early 1920s he is recorded in Lloyds Register as owning Diamond another Jewel Class yacht in partnership with R.S.Taylor. In 1926 Fred and R.S.Taylor were involved in setting up the Fairhaven Sailing Club on the lake in Lytham St Annes.
Iolite won the Invitation Race for other clubs in September 1912 overtaking Diamond on the last leg to win the race. Her crew was from the Mersey Sailing Club, In the Invitation Race in 1913 she came second crewed by Tranmere Sailing Club.
In the Ladies Race in August 1913 Iolite helmed by Miss Ainsworth overtook Sapphire (Mrs Tatham) just before the finishing line. The first prize was a beautiful silver chain purse.
Iolite’s history after the First World War is unknown.