HISTORIE
Flirt IV was built by Anker & Jensen at Vollen in Asker and launched in 1912. It was contracted by Grosserer Alf Rasmussen who was then deputy head of KNS. He wanted a new boat to compete in The Europe week that was to take place in Norway in 1914. This was the largest sports event of that time ever held in Norway. Europe Week 1914 was actually to be held in Spain, but Sam Eyde, who was the founder of Norsk Hydro, traveled to Spain and persuaded the Spanish king that Norway had to be given the opportunity to add it to the 100 years celebration of the Norwegian constitution.
Flirt originally had a fork rig when the Bermuda rig had not yet been invented. It was overtaken in The Europe week by Vav who won the class for 9 mR. Vav, which was also an Anker boat, was one of the first boats to have the newly developed bermuda rig, which was undoubtedly a great advantage both in terms of height and speed.
Never the less, Flirt IV did very well on the regatta course in the years that followed. It was mentioned in the old articles in Seilas, and was considered the prettiest and most elaborate boat in its class.
Flirt had a number of well-known owners both in Norway and later in Scotland. Special mention must be made of John H. Illingworth as the founder of modern sea voyages. He was also one of the founders of the very famous regatta Sydney Hobart race which is sailed every year to this day.
Flirt IV is the boat’s original name that she got in 1912, but has throughout her long life had the following name:
Mosque
LO III
Torridon
Here is a small selection of episodes written and said about Flirt:
Sailing 1913:
Here we present a very beautiful picture of wholesaler Alf Rasmussen’s excellent 9-meter Flirt IV, without comparison the fleet’s best boat before the class. Flirt IV was designed and built by Anker & Jensen and ran on the water last year in early summer. The material is mahogany and lead, and the boat is a first-class boat in all respects in terms of hull, rig, interior and sailing ability. During Hankøuken last summer, it shared the first prizes equally with Per Gynt, and during the exciting race for the Fire Cup, it was not far behind its famous competitor.
Sailing 1914:
Flirt IV has proven to be an exceptionally good sailor and last summer was a worthy competitor to Per Gynt.
Under Ronnie Scotts eierskap: Racing success and newer yachts. A notable success was an overall win at the Royal Clyde Yacht Club’s Centenary Regatta on the 30th of June 1956. The prize for which was an elaborate rose bowl which remains in the family home today. Eyewitness accounts have reported that “Torridon’s” crew at this time were often immaculately tumed out in white shirts, ties and reefer jackets and in season there was even a “yacht girl” employed to organise victualing and the like. Fra en omtale I Clyde Cruising Club Journal: Perhaps this extract from an unknown CCC Journal contributor’s story written around the time that Sam Strang sold her to Ronnie Scott sums up the feelings of many who sailed on her in Scotland: “We knew it had to come some time, but that does not /essen the blow, I am glad I did not know last year. It was always with sad heart that I left her, but I could not knowingly have borne “the last time”. For you and me there never was, never could be another ship like “Torridon”. She never put a foot wrong, she had no vices, and forthose who loved her, she would do even the impossible. You and I realised that she came round much faster when her forefoot was near the rocks. Scientific people can seek an explanation; you and I just believed that she knew. I have known her to come about with hardly any way, a choppy sea on a lee shore and the jib sheets held fast by a tangle of chain anchor and warp – the fault of the humans not of the boat; and yet she ran much steadier than many a boat with twice her length of keel.
From a review of his book :
lllingworth raced “Lo Ill” successfully in the Solent and English Channel. He found that her LWL of 30’6″ and lang overhangs allied to her vast sail area made difficult to catch in light airs and “quite potent upwind”. NB The yacht was originally designed and built as a gaff rig cutter with a sail area of 1,250 sq. ft. but by this time she had been modified to Bermudan cutter rig still sporting 1,150 sq. ft. of sail area.
Notable successes in lllingworth’s hands included winning the “Forsythe Cup” for first yacht to finish the RORC Chanel Race. For this race the crew included Charles A Nicholson who later became the chairman of Camper and Nicholson and Geoffrey Cowland who went on to become Rear Admiral Cowland. After 220 miles of racing “LO Ill” finished 55 seconds ahead of “Spica” to claim line honours.
Review by Sam Strang:
To describe Sam Strang, who became a Vice Commodore of the Club and “Torridon” as featuring prolifically in CCC racing and cruising for almost twenty years would be a huge understatement. Some racing results include: 1936 Tobermory Race 1st in Class 1, 1937 Tobermory Race 1st in Class 1, 1948 2nd Class 2 Ladies and Cadets Race, 1st in Class 2 Tobermory Race, 1948 2nd Class 2 first leg Tobermory Race, 1950 1st overall Class 1 whole Tobermory Race, 1951 2nd Ladies and Cadets Race (Miss S. Sandeman at the heim) Class 1, 1953 1st Class 1 Tobermory Race.
