Dame Pattie
Encyclopedia
Dame Pattie is an International 12-metre class
racing yacht built for the America's Cup
challenge series in 1967. She was designed by Warwick Hood and built by W.H. Barnett in New South Wales
, Australia
.
The 1967 challenge cost $2 million and was funded by an Australian syndicate headed by Emile Christenson and represented the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
. Sir Frank Packer
had unsuccessfully challenged in the 1962 series with Gretel, but in 1967, for the first time, several countries – Australia, France, and Sweden all announced challenges for the cup, and as a result trial races had to be staged to select the challenger. Dame Pattie won the trials easily, but unsuccessfully raced against the American defender Intrepid
which won the series 4-0.
The series included a furore when Intrepid and Dame Pattie collided shortly after the start of the second race. Dame Pattie went on to cross the finish line first, but was disqualified because of the collision. Intrepid was declared the race winner.
The yacht was named after Lady Menzies
, the wife of the former Australian Prime Minister
, Sir Robert Menzies
.
to buy the edge grain fir from Stone Brothers Logging, Maple Bay, Vancouver Island
, British Columbia
.
Dame Pattie subsequently underwent a major refit which included a full reconstruction below decks to provide cabins, galley etc. required for cruising. She is now used for private charters out of Vancouver Island.
12-metre class
The 12 Metre Class is a rating class for racing boats designed to the International rule. It enables fair competition between boats that rate in the class whilst retaining the freedom to experiment with the details of their designs. The first 12 Metres were built in 1907. The 12 Metre Class was...
racing yacht built for the America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
challenge series in 1967. She was designed by Warwick Hood and built by W.H. Barnett in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
The 1967 challenge cost $2 million and was funded by an Australian syndicate headed by Emile Christenson and represented the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron is a yacht club located in North Sydney, Australia in the suburb of Kirribilli.The squadron was originally founded in 1862...
. Sir Frank Packer
Frank Packer
Sir Douglas Frank Hewson Packer, KBE , was an Australian media proprietor who controlled Australian Consolidated Press and the Nine Network.-Biography:...
had unsuccessfully challenged in the 1962 series with Gretel, but in 1967, for the first time, several countries – Australia, France, and Sweden all announced challenges for the cup, and as a result trial races had to be staged to select the challenger. Dame Pattie won the trials easily, but unsuccessfully raced against the American defender Intrepid
Intrepid (yacht)
The Intrepid is a 12-metre class yacht which won the America's Cup in 1967 and again in 1970.-Design:Intrepid was designed by Olin Stephens, and was built of double-planked mahogany on white oak frames. She featured important innovations both above and below the waterline. The rudder was separated...
which won the series 4-0.
The series included a furore when Intrepid and Dame Pattie collided shortly after the start of the second race. Dame Pattie went on to cross the finish line first, but was disqualified because of the collision. Intrepid was declared the race winner.
The yacht was named after Lady Menzies
Pattie Menzies
Dame Pattie Maie Menzies GBE was the wife of Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies.-Biography:...
, the wife of the former Australian Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
, Sir Robert Menzies
Robert Menzies
Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, , Australian politician, was the 12th and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia....
.
Construction
The yacht's main frames are laminated Queensland Maple, intermediate frames are steambent Danish Ash, to which edgegrain Douglas Fir planking is fastened with silicon bronze screws. Due to the restrictions on use of equipment and materials sourced from outside the defenders country, the Australian syndicate had to obtain permission from the New York Yacht ClubNew York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ...
to buy the edge grain fir from Stone Brothers Logging, Maple Bay, Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
Dame Pattie subsequently underwent a major refit which included a full reconstruction below decks to provide cabins, galley etc. required for cruising. She is now used for private charters out of Vancouver Island.