User:MercedesR3/Mercedes (Yacht)

Mercedes is a 25ft Plum Stem and Stern Gunter Gaff rig Yacht known as a Swan River Racer. She was designed and her building was commenced by Frank Brigatti. Horace Rumble and Roy Murray bought her from Frank in April 1913 and completed the build 9 months later at the Murray’s house in South Perth.

Mercedes was named on 3 May 1913 and launched on the 15 November 1913 at South Perth. Her first sail was on 30 November 1913. Less than a month later, Horace met his future wife to be, Vera, a work colleague of Roy Murray’s, on board Mercedes on 13 December 1913.

The first reported race Mercedes participated in was held at the Nedlands Flying Squadron yacht club in January 1914. She came 3rd and won 1 pound prize money. Mercedes then went on to win the Governor’s Cup in 1962, 1968, 1990, 1991 and Division C in 1995

Horace Rumble and Roy Murray went to France for the Great War in October 1916. Horace was wounded in action loosing most of his right hand and taken prisoner by the Germans. He returned to Perth in January 1919. Roy never returned.

Horace’s normal crew included – Vic Fall (main sheet), Dick Lovegrove (main sheet), Ray Axon (early barman), Cecil Abbott, Charlie Spencer, Rod Tyler, Les Clements, Bill McGillivray, Bob Rumble, Peter Rumble, Jack Gorgan, Keith Whitehouse, Owen Atkinson (barman) and Richard Gardner. Horace generally had 6 to 8 crew.

Owen "Ackie" Atkinson was the longest standing on board barman - a position that is still very important on Mercedes and is now referred to as "OICD" (Officer In Charge of Drinks).

Horace Rumble owned and sailed Mercedes until 1977. Roger Liggins bought Mercedes from Horace in 1977 and owned her until 1988.

During the time Roger owned Mercedes, he put a fibreglass skin on her hull and deck, and some steel framing to keep her sailing.

Keith Williamson, Peter Long and Patrick Bailey brought Mercedes in a partnership from Roger in 1988. Peter past away soon after and Keith brought Patrick's share.

On 1 December 1989, Horace passed away. That same day, Mercedes was found sunk in her pen.

In June 1995, Mercedes was taken to The Wooden Boat Shop in Sorrento, Victoria, to be restored, The selection of The Wooden Boat Shop in Sorrento was because of the tradional skills retain due to the rich history of boats that are similar in construction to Meredeces called Couta Boats.

All 95 of the original Jarrah ribs have been replaced with Celery Top Pine because the pine is more flexible and less prone to rot.

The original Jarrah Keelson has been replaced with Greybox Gum because of its resistance to worm. Most of the planking has remained original. The sections needing replacement were done so with the original timber used - New Zealand Kauri(Agathis australis). The Garboard and Sister Garboard were replaced with Huon Pine due to a lack of available, correctly sized New Zealand Kauri.

The original deck was a laid deck with canvass stretch over the top to waterproof it. This was later replaced with plywood and fibreglass. During the restoration, the deck was returned to a laid deck made of Queensland Beech (Gmelina leichhardtii).

Mercedes has returned to her post war sail plan with a 20 foot boom length. Her mast and gaff are original. The mast is however shorter than when it was first erected due to an accident Horace had with the Fremantle traffic bridge on a return trip from Rottnest Island. The complete restoration of Mercedes took 12 months and over 5000 hours. Mercedes was re-launched at Royal Perth Yacht Club in Western Australia on 27 September 1996 and is still sailing today.

On the ill health of Keith Williamson in 2006, it was decided to make Mercedes easier and safer to use and installed an inboard diesel engine. The engine installation was Keith’s project but he passed away in August 2006 before he could complete it. Royal Perth Yacht Club member and shipwright, Rohan Chic, completed the installation.

Today, Mercedes can be seen most Thursday nights sailing on the Swan River from her pen at Royal Perth.

On 15 November 2013, Mercedes will celebrate her 100th birthday and will continue as the longest listed, and one of the oldest, boats on the Royal Perth Yacht Club register.