Built as a J-class composite metal yacht, steel frames with a teak deck, under yard No 339 by J. Thorneycroft & Company at the Church Wharf at Chiswick on the Thames for Sir Thomas Lipton.
24 June 1899 launched as the SHAMROCK (I), named after a plant growing in Ireland, which was a sign of rebellion of the Irish against the English. Lipton’s parents were both from Ireland. She was christened by Lady Russell of Killowen.
Displacement 156.9 ton, tonnage 135 ton. Dim. 38.86 x 7.46 x 6.15m. (draught), length on the waterline 25.12m.
Sail area 1214.30 m².
The yacht was designed by William Fife III, Jr.
She was built as a British challenger for the America Cup as a pure racing yacht, she represented the Royal Ulster Yacht Club.
First she was racing in home waters against the VALKYRIE III and the Prince of Wales yacht BRITANNIA, both races against the BRITANNIA the SHAMROCK won.
The SHAMROCK was towed across the North Atlantic by Lipton’s steam yacht ERIN, after arrival in New York on 18 August 1899, she makes daily sailing trips to train the crew under skipper Archie Hogarth.
The defender of the America Cup was the COLUMBIA under skipper Charles Barr.
The America Cup Races were from 16 till 20 October 1899 in the waters off New York.
16 October was the first race which was won by the COLUMBIA by 10 minutes and 8 seconds.
17 October the second race took place which was also won by the COLUMBIA, the SHAMROCK did not finish the race, soon after the start her topmast snapped clean off.
20 October the third race where the COLUMBIA beats the SHAMROCK by 6 minutes and 34 seconds.
Again the America Cup stayed in the U.S.A.
02 November 1899 the SHAMROCK leaves New York under tow of the ERIN via the Azores and after arrival in the U.K. she is dry-docked.
1901 She is refitted by Lipton and used as a trial horse for the new challenger SHAMROCK II.
1903 Refitted again and used as a trial horse for SHAMROCK III.
28 May 1903 with on board a crew of 41 she crossed the North Atlantic and after arrival in New York she races against the SHAMROCK III before the cup.
After the America Cup Lipton tries to sell both yachts, without success.
1914 SHAMROCK (I) sails against SHAMROCK VI off Cowes before Lipton’s fourth challenger sails across the Atlantic.
Thereafter the yacht disappears, who has her fate?.
Grenadines of Grenada 1987 $5 sgMS863, scott? Dominica SG1647
Source: http://32nd.americascup.com/en/acclopae ... &idRubr=74 The Storey of the America Cup 1851-2003. by Thompson and Rayner
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