Reaching for the Viceroy © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
The Howth 17 Footer is the oldest intact racing one-design class of Keel Boat in the world . The Plans were drawn up originally by Judge W. Herbert Boyd in 1897 . He, been a member of Howth Sailing club and been very familiar with the local rugged sailing conditions designed this gaff- rigged with jackyard topsail Keel Boat.
No1 Rita and No11 Deilginis Photographed during a race up the River Liffey, Dublin Port 2008 © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
The Original fleet of five, Rita, Leila, Silver, Moon, Aura and Hera (still fully functional to-day) were built by John Hilditch in Carrickfergus Northern Ireland and sailed into Howth Harbour in April 1898. Another three boats were added to the fleet in 1900 Pauline, Zaide and Anita. The class increased in number again and by 1913, an additional nine boats were commissioned by Dublin Bay Sailing Club for racing from Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) – Echo, Sylvia, Mimosa, Deilginis, Rosemary, Gladys, Bobolink, Eileen and Nautilus.
The class suffered two losses during the early and mid twentieth century – In 1915 “Silvia” was wrecked beyond repair during an exceptionally severe winter storm while she stood at the head of the slipway at the Royal Irish Yacht Club. And then in 1984 while taking part in a race from Howth to Dun Laoghaire “ Mimosa” sunk off the Baily Lighthouse in difficult South Easterly sea conditions. The quick and brave actions of fellow ‘seventeeners’ ensured that the tragic loss of the Mimosa did not extend to her crew.
The Class was reduced to 15 for much of the 1980’s. However in May 1988 two more boats Isobel and Erica were launched in Howth which restored the class to 17 boats after 73 years. The new Boats were built in a shed in Howth Castle and were the first ones of the class to be built in Howth.
No17 Oona Photographed on the Run © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
A project to build another boat, that had been started early in the 21st century, was completed in May 2009. The boat was named ‘Sheila’ (following the tradition for many of the class to be given female names ending in ‘a’) after Shelagh Wilkinson, widow of Norman Wilkinson who was the sixth owner of ‘Leila’ for 51 years from 1948 to 1999.
I have enjoyed crewing on these Boats for the last 7 years and during this time I have tried to use my experience to photograph them. Because of the open Cockpit design the crew are very prone to getting wet and so I was limited to the Photographic equipment I could use. Most of my images were taken using a Nikonos-V underwater Camera with a 35mmNikor f2.5 Lens. I used Fujicolour PRO 400H Daylight colour Negative Film . Several of the images were shot using my Nikon D200 Digital Camera with a AF-S Nikkor18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED lens. I have uploaded a selection of my images which I hope you will enjoy. Further information about these Beautiful Boats can be found at http://www.hyc.ie/howthseventeen/default.asp
No3 Leila and No7 Aura Sailing in Dublin Port © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
David O’Shea
Some of the Fleet Sailing down the Sound © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
No20 Sheila The newest Howth 17, Dublin Bay 2009© David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
Built in 1907 by Kelly of Portrush No15 Bobolink© David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
No1 Rita and No3 Leila Photographed sailing past the Baily Lighthouse Howth Summit © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
A family Affair ! Father and Son sailing No7 Aura © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
No17 Oona on the last leg Home© David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
Rock hopping at Casana Rock Howth© David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
No1 Rita about to hoist there Kite© David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
On the Run to the West Mark© David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
No8 Echo photographed at the Fox Hole near the Baily Howth © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
Getting ready for a pier Start © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
Built in 1988 No18 Erica was named after the original designer WB Boyd’s Niece© David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
No3 Leila heeling in Dublin Port © David O’Shea Editorial Photographer Dublin http://www.osheaphotography.com
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