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Dixon, Capt. Richard Travers

OLYMPIC YACHTING MEDALLIST 1908 ( London)

7-Metre Class *

1st. (team): C.J. Rivett-Carnac / N. Bingley / Capt. R.T. Dixon * (GBR)

Quoting from a scrap album kindly loaned by Kenny Corke, various undated news cuttings relating to the late George Corke described Captain Dixon, and so help to fill in Mead's chronology of the R.C.Y.C., especially as regards his influence in bringing the "King Class" Yachts (J Class and 12-metres) and the 6 and 8-metre classes to race at Falmouth. Knowing nothing of Dixon's background, I was drawn to discover more about his life, and gradually, as you will see, the pieces began to come together, and are listed here quasi-chronologically!

Thanks are due to Leslie Field, the author of Hydroplane History - a website devoted to motor boat racing history from whom I have 'cribbed' cuttings directly relating to Capt. R.T. Dixon, mostly transcribed by Greg Calkins, who is appropriately credited on Leslie's site. [Again, an example of how digitised content of old publications can help researchers, see my site on the history of Falmouth Packet Archives (1688-1850)]

Captain Richard Travers Dixon, of Admiralty Cottage, Mylor Dockyard. who died at the age of 83, one week short of his 84th birthday. A native of Sydney, Australia, he received his commission in the Royal Engineers in 1885 and retired in 1897.

In all liklihood he was acquainted with Harley Mead who established the Cornubia yard in 1897 at Cowes, but returned to Falmouth in 1912.

1903-1905

Two views of Hawthorn (1903) owned by Capt. R.T. Dixon, off Cowes circa 1904/5 (courtesy of Kenny Corke)

18-tons YM, 36.9 ft LWL, 10..2 ft beam. Designed by A.E. Payne. Builder, Messrs Summers & Payne.

(The Yachtsman, 5 Jan., 1905 (photo by Kirk, Cowes) The Yachtsman,18 May, 1905 (photo by Beken, Cowes)

1904 : The "Reliability" Trials For Motor-Boats

We have received from the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland an abstract of the report to be made to the club committee on the 8th inst., on the recent "reliability" trials for motor-boats, an account of which appeared in The Times of July 28.

The judges--Major Lindsay Lloyd, Lieutenant Mansfield Cumming, and Captain R. E. T. Dixon--after dealing with the number of competitors and general arrangements of the trials, express their satisfaction at the results and at the proved "reliability" of the boats taking part. Only two of the 16 starters failed to complete the 20 hours' run, five boats making complete non-stop runs. The report proceeds with an appreciation of the good performance of the Seal and the Vosper boats using ordinary paraffin, and of the good general condition of all the boats at the termination of the 20 hours. One of the most important recommendations of the report is dealt with at some length--namely, that of the safety of boats fitted with internal combustion engines, and the effects of this recommendation should be evident in next year's trials. The question of convenience of general arrangement of details is also treated, the Napier Minor and the Maudslay boat being taken as examples of excellence in this direction. Suggestions are made as to further points for marking in future trials, with a recommendation that further trials should be held. The report concludes by recommending the following awards:--:

Class I (None)

Class II - Seal Motor Company 2 1/2 h.p. 18 ft. launch gold medal

Class III

Vosper and Co 12 h.p. 22 ft. launch gold medal

Mitchum Motor Company 6 h.p. 22 ft. launch silver medal

Class IV

Maudslay Motor Company 20 h.p. 25 ft. launch gold medal

Woodnutt and Co. 10 h.p. 30 ft. launch silver medal

Class V Mr. S. F. Edge 35 h.p. 35 ft. launch gold medal

Class VI J.I. Thornycroft and Co. 20 h.p. 30 ft. launch silver medal

The judges expressed their satisfaction with the admirable fashion in which Mr. Basil Joy, the secretary, had organized the trials. [The Times, 5 August, 1904]

1904 Harmsworth Trophy, Cowes, 31 July 1904

Motor Boat Racing

Sir Alfred Harmsworth last year presented the Harmsworth Cup for international competition for power boats under 40 ft. waterline length and using any form of power.

The first race was therefore confined to British boats---one entered by Messrs. S. F. Edge, Ltd., one by Messrs. J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., and one by Messrs. Wort and Beadle. Run in Queenstown harbour [Dublin], the race was won by Messrs. S. F. Edge's Napier I---since sold to M. Henri Deutsch---which, steered by Mr. Campbell Muir*, achieved a speed of some 19 1/2 knots. [*see later, Lady Muir, in connection with 6-metre racing]

So great, however, was the eclat arising from the first race, if only because of the speed recorded by the winning boat, that it immediately began to be regarded as the blue riband event of the marine motor world. The Harmsworth (since most appropriately named the British International) Cup race remains the motor-boat race of the world.

Eliminating trials were rendered necessary. These, as well as the race itself, were run under the combined auspices of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, over a course laid from barges moored in a line between Ryde Pier Head and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club battery, thence around three mark-boats moored off Osborne (so as to give a wide semicircular turn) and back to the finishing line between the familiar black and white signal post on Ryde Pier Head and a flag-boat moored 150 yards north of it, a distance of 7.7 nautical miles. The final the course was swung rather wider, thus making the total distance 7.8 nautical miles.

Both on Friday and Saturday last the officers of the day were Captain du Boulay, R.E., and Messrs. B. O. Cochrane and G. H. Harrison; these gentlemen also constituting the sub-committee appointed by the R.V.Y.C., the Automobile Club being duly represented by its Marine Motor Committee, as follows: Dr. Boverton Redwood, D.Sc., F.R.S.E. (chairman), Sir John I. Thornycroft, F.R.S., Major F. Lindsey Lloyd, R.E., Captain R. T. Dixon, R.E., Lieutenant Mansfield Smith Cumming, R.E., and Messrs. G. Schenley, Henry Sturmey, E. Campbell Muir, G. Foster Pedley, Bernard Redwood, A. F. Yarrow, S. F. Edge, and Roger Fuller. [presumably all watched the race from the Automobile Club [chartered] steamer Princess Helena.]

The finish was at the Royal yacht, to which Mr. S.F. Edge, [in Napier Minor, 40ft 8Cyl. Petrol, 90 H.P.] dashed in a blinding cloud of rain and spray, amid uproarious cheering and the shrieking of sirens and whistles from the steam yachts. He ran twice round the Royal yacht, while the King and Queen bowed their kindly acknowledgments as he lifted his cap. The French boat, Trefle-a-Quatre coming in almost immediately afterwards, also received a kindly and sympathetic greeting, as her steersman also came to pay his respects to their Majesties. Thus ended a fine race, as a result of which Great Britain retains the cup. [Yachting World, Aug. 4, 1904]

1906 Harmsworth Trophy

The eliminating trials for the British International Cup were held yesterday, in magnificent weather, under the burgee of the Motor-Yacht Club.

A race for boats under 250 M.M.A. rating, with M.M.A. time scale allowances, was held over a short club course.

G. Dickson and E. H. Halliday's Albatross, (1st), Mr. O. B. Colls's Fleurette, (2nd), Captain R. T. Dixon's Hebe (3rd), Mr. A. C. G. Knowles's Iris, and Mr. J. P. Dean's Scout II. [TheTimes, 9 August,1906 ]

1906 British International Cup - Motor Yacht Club

Of the three events on the programme to be decided earlier in the day only the first one obtained any entries. This, however, was of a most interesting and, considering the trend of motor-boat construction, valuable character, and it was a handicap for auxiliaries, the first half of the course being run under motor power alone, and the rest under sail power only. It was a pity therefore that of seven boats entered only four started. These were Lord Ailsa's Red Riding Hood and Captain R. T. Dixon's Morween (scratch), Mr. T. Thornycroft's Nautilus (5 min.), and Mr. Linton Hope's Louise (13min.). The course lay from the line at the Enchantress to the After Barn buoy, thence to the Dean's Lake buoy, and back to the starting line. Lord Ailsa's boat led out from Morween, Louise and Nautilus, and kept her lead to the end of three rounds under motor power, where the order for the others was Nautilus, Louise and Morween. Then the breeze strengthened, and although the last-named boat did the best under the canvas, Louise won on her time from Nautilus and Red Riding Hood. [The Times, 10 August, 1906]

1907 September Regatta - British Motor Boat Club

Ideal racing weather favoured the opening day of the British Motor Boat Club's annual regatta at Burnham-on-Crouch yesterday. The programme consisted of seven races, for which there were exactly 50 entries, which is a record for a motorboat meeting in Greatly Britain. The prizes included a number of challenge cups presented by Mr. A. J. Wilson, while the cabin-cruisers raced for a cup presented by the Ostend Yacht Club. The cruiser race resulted in a win for Mr. Waterhouse's Leonid by the narrow margin of 2sec. from Captain Dixon's Sphinx. (over 15 1/2 sea miles). First prize, silver cup, presented by the Ostend Yacht Club; second prize, 5 pounds; third prize, silver metal.

[The Times, 14 September, 1907]

1908: The International Motor Boat Union [1908]

The invitations issued by the Motor Yacht Club to the various bodies interested in motor-boat racing, both in this country and abroad, to attend a congress in London yesterday met with a ready response, a representative gathering of delegates assembling. The meeting was held at the Royal Automobile Club, Piccadilly, under the presidency of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. The Automobile Club of France was represented by Count Recope, the president of its marine committee, and the International Sporting Club of Monaco by M. Georges Prade and M. Leon Demanest. Professor Busley was present as one of the delegates of the German Motor Yacht Association, at whose request the Motor Yacht Club consented to call the congress. Among other delegates of foreign bodies were Mr. Linton Hope, who has been appointed by the Royal Belgian Yacht Club to represent its interests. The Marine Motor Association, the governing body in this country in matters pertaining to rules for racing and rating, sent its president, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, Captain R. T. Dixon, and Mr. O. B. Colls. There were also present Mr. L. M. Waterhouse and Mr. F. May (British Motor Boat Club), Mr. J. W. Ward (Motor Boat Club of Belgium), Mr. F. P. Armstrong and Mr. Lionel de Rothschild (Motor Yacht Club), Mr. Barrett (Motor Yacht Club of Ireland), Lieutenant O. Sumner (Royal Italian Yacht Club), M. Six (Royal Netherlands Yacht Club), Mr. Lawrence (Scottish Marine Motor Association), Lieutenant Rasch (Motor Yacht Club of Germany), Mr. H. Van Foreest (Dutch Motor Boat Club), and Commander Mansfield Cumming (Arachon). The object for which the congress was called was to consider the question of the adoption of international racing and rating rules and the formation of an international association.

After long discussions the following resolution(s) were carried, in each case by a considerable majority:

"That it is advisable in the interests of the sport of motor-boat racing, and particularly with a view of facilitating the holding of international contests, that international measurement and racing rules be formulated, as has been done in the case of the kindred sport of yacht racing." ... etc. [The Times, 30 January, 1908]

1908 London Motorboat Show, by T. Delve Sanders, A. M. Inst. N. A. ...see 1908 London Motorboat Show

This show was opened at Olympia on Friday, March 27th, and as it is the only show of note in this country, it brought together all the best manufacturers and the models exhibited were of most excellent construction throughout. In recent years enormous strides have been made over here in the development of handsome hulls and first-class machinery, due to a large number of engineering firms taking up the industry from a marine standpoint. All of the engine makers, even from the high-speed type, are taking care that working parts are stiff enough to carry the heavy and continuous stresses entailed in a sea-going outfit.

The Ailsa Craig Motor Co. displayed a number of interesting models of the latest practice, all of the four-stroke model and designed to run on both kerosene and

gasolene. The sizes range from 3 to 150 h.p.; the highest speed being 1000 r.p.m., and the lowest 750. Large inspection covers are provided to both the crank-case and the heads of the water jackets. The water jackets extend well down the length of the cylinders. All the valves are on one side of the engine and are mechanical, the cam-shaft being carried within the crank-case; this drives the vertical commutator shaft by bevel gears.

I. B. Brooke & Co., Lowescroft, one of the first firms to take up four-stroke gasolene engines, had a big stand, with some interesting boats and engines. The former comprise an auxiliary cruiser, 26 feet by 7 feet 4 inches, 2 feet 4 inches draft. Also a racing boat 25 feet by 5 feet, with a large whale-back deck and a small cockpit; the motor is a six-cylinder, developing 120-hp. at 1,000 r.p.m. This boat is for Mr. Brooke, the firm's president, and her performance will be watched with interest. All are fitted with Bosch high-tension magnetos, clutch and reverse gear.

Dixon Bros. & Hutchinson, Ltd., Southampton, exhibited the fast launch Lotus, with 28-hp. engines. This boat is 30 feet long, of double skin construction; the power is the firm's 28-hp., four-cylinder gasolene motor. Among engines were shown the four-cylinder, four-stroke motor, fitted with Bosch low-tension ignition plugs, in which the make-and-break is at the plug points, a very ingenious and efficient system.

The Maudslay Company showed motors of considerable merit. Great attention is paid to bearings, pistons, etc., which in finish and adjustment forcibly remind one of first-class steam practice. An excellent system of lubrication is adopted and the general design admits of considerable flexibility in point of speed. The firm showed a four-cylinder engine, 5-inch bore and stroke, designed for their demonstration 25-foot launch Maudslay II, of which a model was exhibited. A three-cylinder, 5x3½-inches diameter, completed this exhibition. These engines are all four-stroke type, with mechanical valves and mechanical lubrication.Thornycroft, of Chiswick, had one of the standard 25-foot carvel mahogany launches, with seating capacity for twelve persons and a speed of 9 miles per hour with a double-cylinder 6½ hp. engine. Also a model of one of the 28-foot launches supplied to the King of Spain for the Giralda yacht, fitted with twin-screw, four-cylinder outfits totaling 60-hp.

Thornycroft engines run on practically any kind of fuel -- gasolene, alcohol or kerosene -- and this is effected by means of a change-over valve; when running on gasolene the

carburetor is in direct connection with the inlet pipe. When using kerosene the operation of the valve causes the exhaust to pass through a jacket surrounding the vaporizer and so to heat the charge. The engines have cylinders and water-jackets cast together and in the larger types, in pairs. Water-jackets extend about halfway down from the firing ends and circulation is by centrifugal pump. All the valves are mechanically operated. Connecting rods are of forged steel double I section, with gudgeon and big ends phosphor bronze bushed, the latter being adjustable. The cylinders are bolted directly to bedplates and there are inspection plates of ample size. There are large steel rollers between the cams and the ends of the tappet rods. Ignition is low-tension. They showed a 6½-hp. engine directly coupled to a dynamo. It was shown with the kerosene

change-over valve and its capacity is 3½ kilowatts at a voltage of 220. A 13-hp. marine type, direct coupled to a Worthington 8-inch low lift centrifugal pump, with a capacity of 850 gallons against 30 feet, was also shown. This engine is double-cylinder, same dimension as the above. A 53-hp., four-cylinder, 6x8-inch, normal r.p.m. 750, was also exhibited, reversing gear with head drive through cone friction clutch. There are three crank-shaft bearings, and lubrication is by splash. The weight of this engine and equipment is 25 cwts. Power with kerosene 47-hp., against 53-hp. by gasolene. a 105-hp., 8x8-inch, four-cylinder engine, using fuel up to 105 degrees flash point, mechanical lubrication, completed the exhibit. Its power on kerosene is 85-hp. [MotorBoat, 25 April, 1908, pp. 15-19.]

Hydroplane History

1908: British Olympics Team Medal Table for 1908 [London]

Yachting 7-Metre Class Gold Medal Team: SSN Bingley, Richard T Dixon, Charles J Rivett-Carnac, Francis J Rivett-Carnac

1909: Q. Any connection with: The Institute of Marine Engineers..Past Presidents.* 1909 James Dixon (died July 1909) , or, * 1929 Eng. Vice-Admiral Sir Robert B. Dixon, K.C.B, D.Eng. ?

Capt. R. T. Dixon's Snowdrop photographed by Kirk & Son of Cowes, in 1911

1911

The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club Regatta was held on 15 July. 1911.

By arrangement with Capt. R. T. Dixon of Southampton, the club held a series of three races for the 6-metre class, from 4-6 September, 1911.

Competitors were Cynthia (T. C. Glen-Coats), Snowdrop* (Capt. R. T. Dixon), Ouananiche (G.O. May), Cingalee (A. Maudslay) and Enjar (E.G. Martin).

* See Kirk's photograph of Snowdrop racing in July 1911, when gunter-rigged.

[Note: Harley Mead was in Cowes until 1912, at his Cornubia Yard, and must have known Capt. Dixon, of Southampton, for some years....

Information wanted, please e-mail me!]

1912

Talk about coincidences....for an interesting account of Kaiser Wilhelm II ....read

Germany’s Last Crown Prince

by Ursula Grosser Dixon

1922

27 May 1922 (Sunday): Dixon raced Reg, a new 6-Metre, on the Clyde, having cruised up from the Solent in his Lady Maud. [then without auxilliary power, his log indicating tows to moorings at Helford, Waterford and from Hunters Quay to Sandbanks.

5 June, 1922: "Sailed in Reg to Fairlie and went over Fife's yard, back in [a] turbine steamer"

1923

Yachting Monthly No. 205. May 1923 p.23: A Yachting Occasion, by "G. B."

"AVONPORT Roadstead was crowded with yachts of all types and classes and rigs: from the Nyria of 170 tons to the graceful 6-metre boats: from the Royal Yacht to private barges. Every yacht, every smack, every boat at anchor, of whatever kind, was "dressed," and the roadstead showed a sea of flickering bunting, for the King had just arrived..... At sundown, the guardship's bugle rang out, and as all her string of burgees and pennants sank fluttering to the deck, each yacht lowered bunting. Around the Royal yacht - a mass of light from bowsprit to taffrail - hovered motor launches and steam pinnaces: while the anchorage was alive with small boats bearing guests to the yachting fleet."

Log of Lady Maud:

April 30, 1923. Launched off and anchored off Hythe. Tried engine, fairly good.

May 1st. Sailed to Cowes. Took foresail & jib to Ratseys for repairs. Went into Hole in evening.

May 2nd. Got jib & foresail & awning from Ratseys. 4.30 -anchored off Hythe.

May 3rd. Steamed to Woolston & went to Custom House for registery. Not completed.

12.50 sailed & motor to Hythe for ballast to fit round accumulator. Not yet ready. Went to Town Quay & got Rgistry Certificates. 3p.m., Back to Hythe for ballast. Had yarn with N. C. Neils. 7.45 Anchored Portsmouth in coal dock.

May 4: Portsmouth-Newhaven-Dover-Ramsgate [arr 7.30 pm Sunday May 5] Moeander Ketch 20 tons moored ahead of us.

Monday May 7. Ramsgate to Dunkerque. Hazy morning wind v. light about SW. Got 6 tins petrol & left harbour about 9.30.

10.50 N. Goodwin light. 4.20 Passed Dyk Lightship. 6.00 Went into Dunkerque to upper fishing harbour. After Cutoms came on board were told that there was not enough water, so steame to basin on E side nearer entrance and moored off shipbuilding yard in 4 fathoms.

Tuesday May 8th. Dull morning cold wind, NE light. Dunkerque-Ostend. 7.45 Got under way with last of E going tide. 12. Wind increasing with nasty little sea. Fine whole sail breeze - tucking water over bows accsionally. Slow progress with tide & jump.

6.15 Into Ostend - tied up to trawler waiting to go through lock into Basin du Commerce. 8. Safely moored in basin; apparently wind dropped.

Wednesday May 9th. Heavy thunder & rain in night. Dull in morning. 12. Fine & hot, no apparent wind. Filled up with water and 1/2 dozen whiskey @ 6/-.

6. Steamed out of Basin du Commerce & tied up between Dolphins off Ostend Yacht Club.

Thursday May 10th. Took walk in afternoon to the sea coast NE of harbour. Examined 4 gun battery 10" guns apparently blown up and abanndoned by Germans. Also old brick fort half silted up with sand. The battery is just behind the sand dunes and quite invisible from the sea.

May 12-26: Ostend -Flushing-Middleburg-Veere--Zype--Dordrecht-Oude Maas-Ymeuden-Amsterdam Canal-Enkhuzen-Harlingen

Saturday may 26: Changed to summer time or time of the 15th meridian E. of Greenwich.

Monday May 28. Leewarden-Leuwern Sea Canal. 11. Going very slow against wind. When off Jansum canal, one plug gave out; tied up on NW shore. While cleaning plug, steam barge Hunze VI of Groningen came round bend and having made a bad turn could not clear us and scuffed alongside pushing us onto mud & heeling us over 20 degrees. Fortunately there were no projections on her side and our fenders took part f the blow - a lot of pain damage but apparently nothing else. 4.30 When nearing Dokkum found long string of big sailing barges being towed about 1.5 mph - could not pass, so tied up for tea. Passed Hunze VI tied up and unloading. When 2.5m out of Dokkum, Hunze VI came up in mid channel behind us. We closed weather shore sounding with pole - Hunze VI did not give way, but when overlapping altered helm & shoved us ashore deliberately - she was on NW side of channel & had any amount of room to leeward - it was clearly done on purpose. 7pm. Tied up Dokkum.

Tuesday 29 May. 6am.Got pilot n board and tried to get into lock. Canal had fallen 6" in night due to NE wind - and we could not get over sill.

7.15. Water had risen 3" or so & tried again, nearly got over but not quite. Took 2 pigs ballast, 5 petrol tins & odds & ends out, water 1" higher. 8.15, just got over sill of lock. 5.30 Got to Groningen. Through 3 bridges, then delayed till 4.30 for tram bridge. Tied up about 8 and were told next tram bridge near station would open at 6, local time (6.40 GMT) - Had to wait until 9.40 (10.20 GMT) [Qf. Log of Lady Maud]

1923

[RCYC History] The Club Regatta on 8 September, 1923, coincided with a week's visit by the International 6-metre class. W.H. Dowman presented the Cup to the boat scoring the highest aggregate during the week's racing. On the R.C.Y.C. day, seven 6-metre boats raced, the winner being Reg (Sir Ralph Gore), Maid Marion (J. L. Lewis) second, and Capelle (Sir William Burton) third.

[ I believe that Captain Dixon helmed Reg, see missing entries for 7-14 Sept. 1923 6-m races in the Log of Lady Maud]

1924

Monday Sept. 8, 1924: "Sailed up the Fal to Mopus Reach. [Malpas] In evening barge loaded with timber.

Wednesday Sept. 10. Mopus to Falmouth. Fresh NW wind, fine sky, rather cold. In afternoon sailed Onaway [W.H. Dowman] in cruiser race, After leading all day Cynthia [C. P. Foster (owner of Maranui)] passed us close to finish.

Monday Sept. 29. Hythe. Unbent all sails. Went into shipyard to lay up. [Log of Lady Maud]

1925

The Yachting Monthly No. 227, March 1925 (p.321)

Messrs. Dixon Bros. & Hutchinson Ltd., have now completed their new slipway, which enables them to deal with craft up to 100 ft. in length, thus enabling them to deal with not only the engineering requirements for M. Ls., but also any hull work that may be required. They have also completed the fire float which they have constructed to the order of the Shanghai Municipal, Council and this has now been despatched to its destination.

1926

The Yachting World No. 237, January 1926, (p.133)

The Outlook, by M. Heckstall-Smith

Now that the Ocean Racing Club has been established, and we are to have an annual 600-mile race, it is much to be hoped that we shall have some visitors from America..... The Ocean Racing Club promises to be a very live institution, as it has for its officers Major Philip Hunloke [Britannia], President; Lieut.-Commander E. G. Martin, Commodore; Mr. Algernon Maudslay, Treasurer; and Mr. J. Western Martyr as Hon. Secretary. Sir Ralph St. G. Gore, Captain R. T. Dixon and Mr Herbert Stone [Editor of Yachting (US) ] are also members of the Committee.

---

In 1926 Captain Dixon moved from Southampton to reside as a tenant at "Admiralty Cottage" (centre above) belonging to the Trefusis estate, formerly the residence of the captain of H.M.T.S. Ganges at Mylor. He clearly wasted no time before involving himself in local racing, although it would be interesting to know exactly when he bought Major C. Watson-Smythe's Sunbeam Una, which he renamed Jasmine, (see 1927, below)

Lady Maud (1907) .... the "slipway" above was at Ponsharden*

"In September, of 1926, [aged 18] I got a berth on the cutter Lady Maud from Southampton for a passage to Falmouth. After all my Cornish connections, I came at last to Mylor Dockyard, Cornwall. Capt. Dixon had taken Admiralty Cottage, where I have lived since, and asked me if I would fit out the Lady Maud that winter for a cruise in the Baltic in 1927, to which I agreed." [qf. George Corke's handwritten notes: My Cornish Connections"]

1927

NOW for some interesting fun!

On Saturday 26 May, 2001, Ken & Jenny Corke very kindly loaned me Captain Dixon's original logbooks, (1922-1939) saying "they are mostly weather reports, and, his writing is hard work..." However, Dixon owned V18 Jasmine (ex:Una) from 1927-1933, when Mr. R. Foster renamed her Speedwell

In his 1927 log for Lady Maud starting:

March 22, 1927: Got afloat at *Ponsharden, motored to Mylor. 7.30 Picked up moorings. Mod SE Wind & Drizzle.

Dixon's records repeatedly illustrate how organised he was and provide a very interesting, and valuable first-hand view of early Falmouth Sunbeam Class racing...Every page in Lady Maud''s log is date-stamped daily throughout each season, always noting weather, elapsed distance, cruising details and short notes on each race in which he and/or his crew, usually George Corke, participated. It is particularly interesting to see how his cruising in auxillarys Lady Maud and, later, Sea Crest, was planned around 6-metre racing venues, from the Clyde to the Baltic.

What, to me, seems incredible, was his lonesome way of life, not anti-social, because he clearly knew, and was known and respected by almost everyone who was anyone afloat, but his total devotion/determination appears to remain 'at home' - afloat.

In 1927, he "went to Avonmouth by car", Sunday-Tuesday 17-19 April. Then, on 20 April, Lady Maud "left Falmouth under sails & motor at 7.30 a.m. [cruising the South Coast to Dover, then over to Calais and the Dutch canals!].

Why Avonmouth? Well, it was almost certainly something connected with the 6-metre racing scene, (see Yaching Monthy of May 1923), with which Capt. Dixon had long been associated. (see 1911 view of his 6-metre, gunter-rigged Snowdrop )

Although Lady Maud''s log usually refers to his or his crew's runs ashore, such event was unmentioned until 4 May, Southampton; "went up to town" followed by 5 May; Sailed to Portsmouth & then to Cowes. On 7 May he actually sailed up to Beaulieu Reach for lunch! [underlined in Dixon's log]. One assumes he actually went ashore at Dordrecht; "brought up on Club raft," and Rotterdam;"brought up in yacht harbour" - otherwise his time was spent monitoring bridge opening times, all logged.

Returning, on Tuesday June 14th, he left Cowes at 2.05 a.m., at 7.50 "anchored in Salcombe for supply of petrol," and at 6.45, "picked up moorings at Mylor." Log distance? 1,084 miles. [referring to his 1927 cruise, from 20 April -14 June]

The next day, no hanging about: [see also, a year later, the morning after his cruise in 1928]

Wed. Jun.15, 1927: Fairly fine, fresh wind SE; arranged for launch of Jasmine. In afternoon sailed Maranui in Club race, got 2nd. [Then owned by C. P. Foster, Penvale, Falmouth Sunbeam Class Captain 1924-28]

Thurs. Jun. 16, 1927: Motored to Falmouth in afternoon [in Lady Maud] & towed Jasmine to Mylor. Stepped mast with help of coal barge in Mylor Dockyard. Dull day, warm, mod Southerly wind.

Friday Jun. 17, 1927: Rigged Jasmine. Strong squally NW wind. Went for a short sail with 4 rolls [reefed]

Sat. Jun. 18,1927: Fresh wind SW in morning backing S in afternoon. Raced Jasmine. Put Berthe over line at start & went over also. Sail setting very badly.

Maranui 1, Berthe 2, Trent 3, Jasmine 4, Halcyone 5, Caprice, Little Lady & Merrythought gave up.

Mon. Jun. 20, 1927: Fine morning. Varnished deckwork (Lady Maud) Took Mota bicycle to Camborne.

Tues. Jun. 21, 1927: Dull with drizzle & rain in morning. Laid moorings for Jasmine off Mylor. Went to Falmouth after lunch with Lady Maud & Jasmine.

Wed. Jun. 22, 1927: Fine day. Wind light to mod. Westerly. Wind flukey betwen St. Just & Trefusis Point. Racing Jasmine, 2nd. Caprice 1, Jasmine 2, Trent 3, Maranui 4, Berthe 5.

Thurs. Jun 23, 1927: Strong wind & rain SW. Dropped somewhat about 4, but Sunbeams decided not to go to St. Mawes for race. [Race cancelled?]

Sat. Jun. 25, 1927: Fine morning, light W wind freshening at midday and backing SW. Raced Sunbeam. Leading 1st round, carried away runner & gave up.

Trent 1, Little Lady 2, Caprice 3, Berthe 4.

Mon. Jun. 27, 1927: Put Jasmine onshore for scrubbing. Light wind NW cold. In afternoon motored up Truro River to Tregothnan Reach.

Tues. June 28, 1927: Motored to Mylor [from overnight at Tregothnan Reach?] & took Jasmine to Falmouth. Rather cold. Afternoon, sailed to Helford. Rain 5pm.

Wed. June 29, 1927: Sailed back to Mylor & Falmouth, light SW wind. Raced Jasmine in afternoon. Leading 1st round, but ran into calm patch off Trefusis. Caprice & Berthe both passed us. Berthe 1, Jasmine 2, Caprice 3, Trent 4.

Thurs. June 30, 1927: Fine day. Wind E-ly. till about 5.30 when it veered to S & West. Raced Jasmine at St. Mawes. Only one round. Leading at Governor Buoy then all the other boats picked up a Southerly wind and sailed past us. Little Lady 1, Berthe 2, Flame 3, Maranui 4, Trent 5, Jasmine 6.

Fri. July 1, 1927:Put Jasmine ashore for scrub.

Sat. July 2, 1927: Mod. N to NW wind in afternoon. Raced at Flushing. Good start, 3rd at St. Just & Castle buoys - Flame & Little Lady ahead. In beat back got the lead but rounded mark wrong way & had to return giving Berthe a good lead which we could not recover. Finished 2nd. Berthe 1, Jasmine 2, Trent 3, Little Lady 4. [Flame?]

Wed. July 6, 1927: Fine morning, wind fresh SE. Went to Ponsharden sail & motor for painting topsides [Lady Maud]. Raced Jasmine in afternoon. Started with 4 rolls & took out 2 rolls first leg. Very bad start, not ready in time. Got up to second place. Berthe 1, Jasmine 2, Caprice 3.

Thurs. July 7, 1927: Raced at St. Mawes. V. light air, about SE. Good start but in run to Vilt got blannketted. Very flukey, Finished 4th. Berthe 1, Caprice 2, Flame 3, Jasmine 4. Motored [from Mylor] to Ponsharden and got Lady Maud off late at night. Anchored off Club.[RCYC]

Fri. July 8, 1927: Went to Mylor, put Jasmine ashore & gave her a coat of black varnish. Fine hot day.

Sat. July 9, 1927: Fine morning, wind light N'ly. Wind freshening. Raced Jasmine. Wind fresh, took in 2 rolls. Doing fairly well 1st round. Caprive 1, Berthe 2, Jasmine 3 at end of round. Took out reefs, but wind freshened again and in a beat to St. Just, mast gave way - did not actually break. Caprice 1, Berthe 2, Maranui 3.

Opposite his page for Saturday 9 July, Dixon wrote 2 5 4 1 2 1 1 1 - which correspond exactly with the results for Berthe for the races from 18 June to 7 July 1927 inclusive. Clearly Capt. Dixon regarded Berthe as his main competitor in what was Dixon's first season in a Sunbeam.

His own results for the corresponding period were: 4 2 a 2 6 2 2 4 (a=abandoned)

Mon. July 11, 1927: Motored to Falmouth and stepped spare mast. Went for a short sail in afternoon. Mast apparently satisfactory. Wind light NNW.

Tues July 12, 1927: Calm & Dull. Race at Flushing* abandoned. [*St. Mawes crossed out]

Wed. July 13, 1927: Dull. V light wind SW. Got over line at start. Reach all round course. Got in 3rd place at St. Just and kept position. Berthe 1, Little Lady 2, Jasmine 3, Maranui 4, Trent 5.

Thurs. July 14, 1927: Fine warm day. Put Jasmine on truck for Plymouth.

Sat. July 16, 1927: Watched big yachts racing. Wind light E to calm. Not so hot.

Sun. July 17, 1927: Fine hot morning, calm. High water Falmouth 8 a.m. / 8.20 p.m. 9.35 Under way (motor) - Dumlin in company/ 10.5 Zoze Point. 4 Penlee (37 1/2 miles[elapsed] ) Av. speed 6.2 knots. 4.30 brought up in Millbay Dock. [Plymouth]

Mon. July 18, 1927: Got Jasmine off truck.

Tues. July 19, 1927: RPCYC Regatta. Jasmine did not sail well. Wind SE mod -puffy. Berthe 1, Maranui 2, Little Lady 3, Jasmine 4, Halcyone 5.

Wed. July 20, 1927: Port of Plymouth Regatta. Light wind & calms, Southerly. Fouled Berthe at start when on Stbd, tack. Berthe gave up. Maranui first on 1st round. Caught her on 2nd round & won by 1/4 min. New Sail. Jasmine 1, Maranui 2, Little Lady 3, Halcyone 4, Berthe gave up.

Thurs. July 21, 1927: RWYC Regatta. Wind mod. SW. Over line at start. Practically a reach all round course 4th. Berthe 1, Little Lady 2, Maranui 3, Jasmine 4, Halcyone 5.

Fri. July 22, 1927: RSWYC. Wind mod W to NW puffy. Wind very variable in beat from Duke Rock to New Grounds. Old sail would not set in fresh wind. 3rd in 1st round, 2nd in 2nd round. Little Lady fouled us at E. Winter Bovy 3rd round and pulled boom out of goose neck - close race with Maranui. Tie for 1st. Jasmine & Maranui (joint) 1st, Halcyone 3, Berthe 4, Little Lady gave up.

Sat. July 23, 1927: Fresh Wind NW. Just carried whole sail. Won 1st by 1/2 min. Good race. Jasmine 1, Berthe 2, Halcyone 3, Maranui 4, Little Lady 5.

[Plymouth Regatta Week] Sunbeams: Jasmine 11 points, Berthe 10, Maranui 8, Halcyone 4, Little Lady 1.

Sun. July 24, 1927: Drizzle & rain all day. Mod to fresh wind W. Took Jasmine to inner dock.

Mon. July 25, 1927: Fine morning warm light air S. Put Jasmine on truck.

H.W. Falmouth 2.40 / 3.20. Under way 11, sails & motor, strong flood tide. Off Penleee, picked up Berthe & towed her. 12, Rame Head. 4pm, 1mile S of Dodman, 5.42 off Zone Point. Towed Berthe up to moorings & picked up [Lady Maud's] moorings Mylor 6.30.

Tues. July 26, 1927: Got Jasmine in the water.

Wed. 27 July, 1927: Wind SW to W fresh to strong. Sailed over in Jasmine with 6 rolls. No other boat got under way. Jasmine 1st, SO.

Thurs. 28 July, 1927: Light S'ly wind. Raced at St. Mawes. Little Lady 1, Maranui 2, Jasmine 3, Flame, Trent, Halcyone.

Fri 29 July, 1927: Put Jasmine ashore.

Sat. July 30, 1927: Fresh squally wind. Last. Caprice 1, Berthe 2, Maranui 3, Trent, Halcyone, Little Lady, Jasmine . Flame & Merrythought gave up

Sun. July 31, 1927. Motored up truro River. Fine day, mod. W wind.

Mon. Aug. 1, 1927: Fine day, calm in morning, mod W in afternoon. Motored [in Lady Maud] to Mevagissey.

Tues. Aug 2, 1927: Fine day but cold wind, light to mod NW to W. Sailed to Helford/

Wed. Aug. 3, 1927: Motored to Falmouth & raced Jasmine. Light E'ly, won 1st. Jasmine 1, Caprice 2, Berthe 3, Flame 4, Trent 5, Little Lady 6, Halcyone 7, Merrythought 8, Maranui 9.

Thurs. Aug. 4, 1927:Light to mod wind E'ly. Raced atSt. Mawes. Did badly to Eastward, got between the Easterly wind off St. Mawes and S. Easterly wind further to sea. 6th. Berthe 1, Caprice 2, Maranui 3, Trent 4, Little Lady 5, Jasmine 6.

Fri. Aug 5, 1927: Put Jasmine ashore for a scrub, Fine hot day

Sat. Aug. 6, 1927: Faily thick fog in morning. Raced at Flushing. Wind light South. Good start, leading the whole way. Nearly lost place by taking wrong course in run from Castle buoy. Jasmine 1, Little Lady 2, Berthe 3, Maranui 4.

Tues Aug 9, 1927: Fresh SW wind at midday gradually dropping. Started with 4 rolls, took out 1 roll first round. Whoe sail 2nd round. Berthe 1, Jasmine 2, Caprice 3, Maranui 4, Trent 5. Dixon's notes: [meaning?]

J: 8 9 3 [Jasmine] B: 9 8 8 [Berthe] C: 7 7 9 [Caprice] M: 6 6 7 [Maranui]

Wed. Aug.10, 1927: Fresh squally W wind. Helford Regatta. Only Trent raced the beat to Helford. Jasmine 1, Trent 2.

Thurs. Aug 11, 1927: Raced at St. Mawes. Fresh SW wind. Started with 4 rolls. Unrolled one in 1st round. Flame bore down on us at start & spoiled our start.

Little Lady 1, Berthe 2, Trent 3, Caprice 4, Jasmine 5, Maranui 6, Merrythought 7.

Fri. Aug. 12, 1927: Loe Beach Regatta. Strong W. wind, 4 rolls. Fixed batten on Boom in morning - improved set of sails greatly. Little Lady fouled us at start when running for the line, Jasmine being on broad reach. Jasmine, Halcyone & Little Lady over the line.

Berthe 1, Caprice 2, Maranui 3, Jasmine 4, Little Lady 5, Halcyone 6, Merrythought 7.

Sat. Aug 13, 1927: St. Mawes Regatta. Fresh SW wind. Started too late. Mainsail wet on port & shrunk 18in. Berthe 1, ..[others not listed by Dixon]. Jasmine 6.

Mon. Aug 15, 1927: High W wind. Put Jasmine ashore for scrub.

Tues. Aug 16, 1927: Fresh NW wind, moderated in afternoon, falling light in evening. Flushing racing. Got left in run to St. Just, 6th first round. Picked up a lot in 2nd round with lighter wind. Just pipped Berthe and Little Lady at finish. Caprice 1, Maranui 2, Jasmine 3, Berthe 4, Little Lady 5, Trent 6, Merrythought 7, Flame 8.

Points for Cup: Caprice & Jasmine 1st. Berthe 2 points behind.

Wed. Aug. 17, 1927: Porthoustock Regatta:Wind light SSE freshening gradually. Course about 1 mile round. No chance of altering position.

Merrythought 1, Jasmine 2, Trent 3, Little Lady 4, Berthe 5, Halcyone 6, Caprice 7, Maranui 8.

Thurs. Aug 18, 1927: St. Mawes. Light S air at start. Flat calm later. kedged then light air NW. Little Lady 1, Berthe 2, Caprice 3, Jasmine 4. The rest gave up.

Sat. Aug 20, 1927: Wind & rain, could not go to Portscatho Regatta.

Tues. Aug 23, 1927: Nice whole sail breeze. Raced at Flushing... Little Lady ahead of us at start - somehow got through her lee between Trefusis & St. Just. sailing well, warm easterly. Jasmine 1, Berthe 2, Little Lady 3, Caprice 4, Maranui 5, Merrythought 6, Flame 7, Halcyone 8, Trent 9 (carried away main halyards).

Wed. Aug 24, 1927: Portscatho regatta. Puffy NW wind fresh at times. Gor into 2nd place in 2nd round. Flame & Little Lady stood inshore & picked up free wind. Berthe 1, Flame 2, Little Lady 3, Jasmine 4, Maranui 5, Trent 6, Halcyone 7.

Thurs. Aug 25, 1927: St. Mawes race.. Fresh N'ly wind midday dropping to moderate in evening. Good start (2 rolls) but trent to leeward took 1st buoy. Got ahead in close fetch to Vilt & won easiliy. Whole sail 2nd round. Jasmine 1, Merrythought 2, Maranui 3, Berthe 4.

Fri. Aug. 26, 1927: Coverack Regatta. Light to mod W. Wind, squally. Good start leading most of race, In first round carried away jib tack, had to bear up for Berthe when on starboard tack. Difference of opinion on finishing line. Protests. Lost protest against Berthe. Won as to Course - Prizes in order of passing Committee Boat. Finish: Berthe 1, Jasmine 2, Trent 3, Little Lady 4, Merrythought 5.

Sat. Aug. 27, 1927: Mylor Regatta. Fresh squally wind SW. 1 1/2 roll down, others whole sail. Caprice & Little Lady got ahead after the start. Jasmine 3rd, no change till beating from Poles [off Restronguet Point) to Mylor. Berthe fouled Committee Boat and lost mast. Little Lady 1, Jasmine 2, Caprice 3, Maranui 4. [Berthe 'gave up' dismasted]

1927:

The Club Regatta took place on 3 September, 1927. In the Sunbeam class the results were as follows: 1st Berthe, 2nd Caprice, 3rd Flame, 4th Jasmine (Capt. R. T. Dixon), 5th Little Lady, 6th Trent, and 7th Merrythought. Maranui gave up. Jasmine was previously named Una, when owned by Major Watson-Smythe. It is also noteworthy that, commencing with the 1927 regatta, the protest fees were raised from 5s. to 10s. [Mead p.131]

Dixon's handwritten summary of the (link to race page)

1927 Falmouth Sunbeam race results, broken down by club and boat, was presumably compiled during the winter months, but, so logically placed in ink accross the page opposite the last RCYC race of the season, together with his log entry noting he had laid up his Sunbeam Jasmine (ex Una, now V18 Polly).

Sept. 26 1927: Monday. RCYC Race, [ last of the 1927 season] squally wind Westerly.

1. Little Lady; 2. Jasmine; 3. Maranui; 4. Caprice; 5. Berth (sic); 6 Trent; 7. Halcyone; Merrythought gave up.

Sept. 28 1927: Wednesday. Dull morning, mild, light wind SW. Took Jasmine to Ponsharden to lay up

Sept. 30 1927: Friday. Fine day with a few small showers. Picked up Jasmine's moorings. Varnished outside of Dinghy.

1928:

"It will be remembered that at a special meeting of yachtsmen convened by the Yacht Racing Association (YRA) shortly after the conclusion of the Great War, a unanimous resolution was passed that no British Yachtsman might race with or against a German for a period of 10 years dating from the signing of Peace. In view of the fact that the Germans have now signed the Pact, the Council of the Y.R.A. will move that the British delegates on the Permanent Committee* of the International Yacht Racing Union be instructed to propose that Germany shall be invited to join the International Yacht Racing Union." The Yachting Monthly No. 236, December 1935. (p.133)

[Q. Was Capt. R.T. Dixon on the Permanent Committee of the I.Y.R.U.?]

1928 Log of Lady Maud: [cruise]

Wed. April 11, 1928: Falmouth to Brest. Sailed 1200, arrived Brest, Port du Commerce 1600 Thursday 12 April.

Sun. April 15, 1928: 10.00 dep. Brest - Landevenec, anchored 2.45. After tea walked over hill to Landevenac. Road mentioned by Cowper to Ferry at point washed away. Awkward climb along shore from point to Port Stivet, could not have done it at High Water.

Mon. April 16, 1928: 10.00 got under way, motored up river. 12.45 anchored off lock beloe Port Lunny [Lunay], 1.45 went through lock & tied up at Port Lunny.

Tues. April 17, 1928: Motored to Chateaulin. Saw the sights including a wedding Dance with Breton music.

Fri. April 20, 1928: 3pm, Anchored at Brest, took on stores.

Sat. April 21, 1928: 12.35 anchored in Camaret bay.

Sun. April 22, 1928: 10.30 went through Toulinquet Channel & round Cap de la Chevre to morgat. Did not like anchorage at morgat, too far from shore.

2.45 set spinnaker, squared away for Douarnenez. 5.15, anchored Douarnenez Harbour, wind mod. North, fine & warm.

Mon. April 23, 1928: Went for short sail towards Raz de Seine. Back to Douarnenez. Wind fresh S.S.E.

Wed. April 25, 1928: 11.30 got under way, drifted, sailed towards Millier Point, motored & anchored off Morgat. Rowed to the caves.

Thurs. Mod breeze S.E. sprang up during the night. pitching a good deal. 6.15 got under way, a good whole sail breeze. Bar [ometer] had fallen a good deal. As it would be a dead beat to Benodet, decided to go back to Douarnenez, ariving there 10 a.m.

Sat. April 28, 1928: 7.15 got under way, under sail. 9, Point de Millier, 12.20 La Vielle NE 1/2 mile. 4.10 Penmarch Light 2.2 miles. 7.30 anchored Benodet.

Tues. May 1, 1928: HW 09.30, under way 10.00, motored up river to beginning og Quimper lake. 11.15 anchored in 2 1/4 fathoms, rowed up to Quimper.

Wed. May 2, 1928: Benodet - Concarneau. 6p.m. anchored in Concarneau, just above Mole. Crowds of trawlers came in about 12 - 1, one fouled out bowsprit.

Thurs. 3 May, 1928: Concarneau - Loctudy. Trawlers went out early. 10.00 got under way. 1.30 came on thick when about 1m NE of Isle des Moutons, fresh SE.

2.45 about 200 yds N of Red beacon off entrance to Loctudy. Motored in to harbour. 3.15 stowed up.

Fri. May 4, 1928: 12.00, Loctudy - Benodet.

Sun. May 6, 1928: 07.45 under way Benodet to L'Orient. 2.30 a good sailing breeze. Had to tack up harbouir to L'Orient. 5pm. anchored S of L'Orient.

Mon. May 7, 1928: 05.45 Mototed into l'Orient basin. Very fine morning. Varnished bottom og dinghy. Thunder storms in afternoon. Got all accumulators charged.

Tues. May 8, 1928: 06.15 L'Orient - Morbihan. 12.30 went past Teignouse light. 3 p.m., anchored between Governe and Berder Isles.

Wed. May 9, 1928: 3, anchored off Le Rocher, as there is good water at low tide. In evening, rowed up Port de Bono and walked to Bardene (or Baden).

Thurs. May 10, 1928: Rowed up to Auray & back.

Fri. May 11, 1928: Anchored 11.30 & rowed ahore Locmarlakier, visited the old stones. 5. anchored just S of Conleau a N. end of narrows

Sat. May 12, 1928: 09.00, motored up to Vannes and got stores. 1.45 Motored down Morbihan then sailed slowly to La Trinite. 6, anchored off town.

Sun. May 13, 1928: La Trinite. Walked to Carnac to see the stones. [??]

Mon. May 14, 1928: Trinite - L'Orient 10.15-7.30.

Tues. May 15, 1928: In evening, signal for N.W. gale hoisted at signal station. Glass falling.

Wed. May 17, 1928: Got accumulators on baord at 12. L'Orient to Kerneval & anchored. Covered in dust in the basin.

Sat. May 19, 1928: Kernovel - Benodet 06.30-4.20pm

Tues. May 22, 1928: Benodet - Audierne 07.30 - 7.15pm

Thurs. May 24, 1928: Audierne - Brest 0900-6.30 pm.

Sat. May 26, 1928: Brest - L'Aberwrach

Sun. May 27, 1928: Very fine day. 9pm got under way, motor, sails to steady ship, calm all night.

Mon. 28 May, 1928: 0930 Gog came on, cleared about 11.30. 5.10, sighted land on port bow, had been about 3 miles to eastward of laid course when abreast of Manacles. 6.45, moored to [RCYC] Club buoy. Stowed up.

Tues. May 29, 1928. Falmouth: Fine hot day - calm. Prepared to launch Jasmine.

Wed. May 30, Cloudy morning, fine hot afternoon. Got Jasmine off & raced in RCYC race.

Flat calm at start about 4, light air from E. came up, Caprice got it first, then Trent. Finished 3rd.

There we are, no hanging about - straight after 6 weeks cruising!

Tues. June 5, 1928: Raced Jasmine RCYC. Wind light SSE. Good start - led whole race.

Thurs. June 7, 1928: Sailed to St. Mawes in company with Jasmine. Raced - good start, led whole way. 2 rolls in mainsail. Merrythought sailing fast, nearly caught us. Towed Jasmine to Mylor in evening.

Fri. June 8, 1928: Put Jasmine ashore for scrub. Strong SE wind in evening.

Sat. June 9, 1928: Southerly gale, no racing Flushing.

Tues. June 12, 1928: Towed Jasmine to Falmouth.

Wed. June 13, 1928: RCYC race. Wind very light at start, falling calm. 2nd in first round & same at finish. Race not complete in 4 hrs. so first round taken.

Thurs. June 14, 1928: St. Mawes race. Strong squally NNW wind in afternoon. 5 rolls in 1st jib. Good start. 1st. round, Caprice 1st., Jasmine 2nd. 2nd round, passed Caprice in turn (windward). Finished good first. Very wet.

Fri. June 15, 1928: put Jasmine ashore for scrub. Fine day. Mod. NW wind.

Sat. June 16, 1928: Flushing race. Wind in harbour NW outside N light to moderate, puffy. Good start, 3rd at St. Just. Passed Merrythought & Blackbird in beat to line 1st round. 2nd round fetched up to line 1st.

Mon. June 18, 1928: Falmouth to Fowey [Lady Maud]. Caught a few mackerel NW of Dodman. 3.45 anchored Fowey. Quite cold.

Tues. 19 June, 1928: 10.30 Got under way, wind v light. Off Gribben Head picked up good whole sail, breeze W. 3.30 picked up moorings at Mylor.

Wed. 20 June, 1928:. Fine day, wind light NW backing to W. RCYC race. Led at end of 1st round but in 2nd, Little Lady stood in to Pendennis & picked up free wind. Finished 3rd.

RCYC: "It was decided to hold two club regattas in 1928, the first on 20 July, to include special races for the big yachts of the ex-21-metre class and the 12-metre class, and the second in August for the usual classes. The [20 July 1928 RCYC Regatta) results in the Sunbeam class were:1st Jasmine [ex Una] (Capt. R.T. Dixon), 2nd Caprice (Mrs H.C. Sicklemore), 3rd Blackbird [ex Berthe ] (W. H. Dowman*), 4th Trent (F. H. Stedman), 5th Merrythought (H. G. Sicklemore) and 6th Little Lady (Capt. H. L. Wilcox, R.N.). It should be added that Blackbird was a new name for Berthe, which was bought by Dowman from C.R. Stephens that season. [Q. Who was steering Blackbird for Mr. Dowman in 1928?] "

Captain Dixon was one of the first members of the Y.R.A. (elected in 1900 and in office until 1938). At the end of 1928, Capt. R.T. Dixon agreed to represent the R.C.Y.C. at the Y.R.A. Conference, and to invite the big yachts, the 12-metre class and the dinghy class to race at Falmouth in 1929.

Organisations with which he was associated, the R.C.Y.C. apart, included the Royal London, Royal Thames and Royal Plymouth Corinthian Clubs, in addition to the following Royal Clubs; Southampton, South-West Yacht and Cruising, besides the Ocean Sailing and Royal Ocean Racing Clubs. Specialising in six-metre yachts, he was one of the first persons in Britain to introduce the Bermudian rig to the six-metre class. In Vanda, he achieved remarkable success, winning 60 first prizes in 64 starts. [1912?]

1928 was by no means over for Captain Dixon and George Corke on Lady Maud.....

Maurice Griffiths, writing his regular Outlook article, in the August 1928 edition of Yachting Monthly (No. 268 p.219) tells us:

On Wednesday, August 2, the starters for the Channel (or junior "Ocean") race will cross the line at Cowes, bound round the Royal Sovereign light vessel (off Beachy Head), round Cherbourg breakwater and back to Cowes by the Nab Tower, 251 sea miles. The yachts are given in the order of the numbers on the mainsails:- 1. Lady Maud, Bmu.-cutter. 10 tons, Major R. T. Dixon, R.E. ...... The start of the [615 mile ] Fastnet Race is to take place also at Cowes on Thursday August 15th. The list of entries included....

Griffith's Outlook (September edition. p.292) "The channel race was acompanied by hard weather and proved a severe strain on the crews"

It was won by Mr. Robert Somerset's Penboch, [sail no. 4] a 12 ton cutter with a time allowance of 6 hr. 41 min. Lady Maud, with 11 hr. 17 min. 42 sec., was second. The wind at the start was E, very light, which meant a slow beat down Spithead against the tide. Hilbre (3) lead, followed by Lady Maud (1), Mona Lisa (5), Manxman (7), Cautious Clara (2), Penboch (4), Spica (8), Thalassa (12), Maitenes (10), Belle Poule (11) and Bruna (6), in that order. Bad weather from the NE came later, and several of the yachts were forced to give up. But of that, let the story of the race, which will be told by one of the competitors [R.T. Dixon] in next month's issue, suffice. Penboch finished first at Cowes at 4.21.31, Sunday August 5, Lady Maud was second, and Mona Lisa third.

OCT 3 1928: Laid up Jasmine

OCT 6 1928: Took Lady Maud to Ponsharden to lay up.

1929

Start of the 1929 Channel Race in an Easterly gale off the Isle of Wight (Beken, courtesy of Ken Corke)

1930

Racing with George Corke as crew on Lady Maud, Captain Dixon won the Channel Race in 1930

A sepia crop from a foggy start of the 1930 Channel Race, Lady Maud (Sail # 1)

(Photo by Kurs of Cowes, scanned courtesy of Kenny & Jenny Corke)

[12: Thalassa, Bmu.-yawl 16 tons, E. Ponsonby. 7: Manxman, yawl, 11 tons. W. J. Lyons. 28:(tba)]

In 1931, the International 8-metre class visited Falmouth for a week's racing in the port. At the club regatta, on 5 September, Cutty (W. H. Dowman won, Unity (B.W. & F. R. W. Preston) was 2nd and Anthea (H. G. Sicklemore) third. Sagitta won a second place (to Cutty) in a race on 7 September. Cutty, a new boat built by Camper & Nicholson the previous year, won the Gold Medal of the Solent Classes for the best record in the International 8-metre class during the 1931 season. Steered for the owner by an expert Cornish helmsman, Capt. R. T. Dixon, she captured 20 first prizes, 8 second and 5 third prizes, a total of 33 prizes in 35 starts. [ Mead, History of the RCYC 1871-1949, p.142]

Capt. R. T. Dixon's Log: Lady Maud, Friday Sept. 4, 1931

Channel Race, Fowey to Falmouth

Fresh N.W. wind to St. Anthony then strong with heavy squalls wind & rain. Estelle 1st., Lady Maud 2nd., Osprey 3rd.

Capt. R. T. Dixon's Log: 8-Metre Cutty, [ Capt. Dowman, owner]. Saturday Sept. 5, 1931

RCYC

Strong squally N.W. wind.

1 Reef

All over line at start but no recalls.

2nd at start of first round, not going well to windward, main sheet too hard.

2nd round Sagitta carried away part upper crosstree. Cutty however was beating her well on long starboard tack & finished good 1st. Unity 2nd. Anthea 3rd. "49-23-8-7-2-2-1" [Meaning?]

1932

At the RCYC Summer Meeting, Capt. R. T. Dixon agreed to represent the club at the next Y. R. A. Conference and to offer the "J" and 12-metre classes a race in July 1933. From 1932 until the outbreak of war he made annual cruises in the Baltic with his motor-auxiliary, the Sea Crest.

[ Capt. Dixon and George Corke had to make a hurried departure from Norway in 1939, when war was declared, and left the Sea Crest there, returning via Gothenburg, Sweden, to Leith (Edinburgh), a voyage of three weeks aboard a Swedish cargo boat laden with German and Polish refugees. ]

1932: Log of Sea Crest

May 26th. Launched off. Found could not see properly from engine room steeing, so went back to Ponsharden to rig platform so as to see over hatch and lengthened clutch levers.

Saturday June 4th: Fresh E. wind and rain all day. Waiting for Dowman. [Wilfred Dowman, owner of the Cutty Sark]

Sunday June 5th: Heard from Customs that they have letter of administration, so waited to try to complete registration. In afternoon, went out under Stuart [Turner] motor running well on paraffin [suggesting petrol start]. Stopped engine, Set sail & found boat handled well although wind was very light. Started port engine & got it running on paraffin well. Speed between Vilt and W. Narrows [buoy] 5.85 knots.

Monday: Motored to Mevagissey with Dowman. Anchored outside.

Tuesday June 7th. 9.30 Put Dowman ashore Mevagissey. Started with one engine. 4.40 - off Salcombe. 6.30 - entering Dartmouth, turned over to petrol. Engines stopped, tank dry. Got port engine running again on paraffin. 6.50 - anchored.

.... more anon!

Towards the end of Capt. Dixon's 1932 - 1933 logbook, there is a page with notes inked in George Corke's handwriting, clearly many years after Dixon had died, which give us a glimpse of George's respect for Dixon. His notes appear to be formulation an idea to write a 'yarn.' Untraced, but perhaps he did indeed develop the idea, as '18' '19' '62' and '76' (below) may refer to actual pages in his story. Will we ever know?

Addendum to Captain Dixon's 1932-1933 Logbook

George Corke's notes in Dixon's logbook 1932-1933

Spin a Yarn

Story of two Irishmen measuring crosstree rig - nails in bulkhead.

Describe Sea Crest & Lady Maud's previous trips to Bay of Biscay 1927 (18) & Baltic 1928. (19)

62 - Captain Dixon [a] good seaman & navigator, and one of the finest helmsmen in the World. [my emphasis]

Bottle [a] day man.

Head winds never stopped him.

Cruising yachts were very rare before the War. No yacht harbours or marina's, except Holland.

Very common to run aground in Holland in small canals.

Tell yarns about pilots in Kiel Canal, Harbourmaster at Kiel, Germans at Nording Island, 1939. [Where Sea Crest was left]

Riddle of the Island by Erskine Childers.

2 islands, 1 tide.

Channel always changing owing to gales.

Buoys changed without warning.

Skerries channels marked by white paint on rocks and brush wood stakes.

Stop where you like to tie up to trees.

Gota Canal Conquest & oldest in the world.

Trollhallan 9 locks rise of hundreds of feet.

Lakes very large, deep, strong wind, very short sea, fresh water!

76 - E. Boat Alley, 1943. [See George Corke page, Navy Tug work]

1933

At the [RCYC] Regatta on 9 September, 1933 in the Sunbeam class, Caprice (Mrs. H. G. Sicklemore) was 1st, Merrythought (H. G. Sicklemore) 2nd, and Speedwell (R. Foster) 3rd. The other two entries, Flame (E. K. Tremnayne) and Maranui (Capt. C. H. Tremayne), did not start. This was the first time the Sunbeams had taken part in the club regatta since 1930, and during their absence Halcyone and Trent had left the port, while Jasmine, previously owned by Capt. Dixon, had been [sold to R. Foster, (in 1931 or 1932) and] renamed Speedwell. [ Mead, History of the RCYC 1871-1949, pp.146-147 ]

At the Summer General Meeting of 1933, it was moved by the Commodore (H. G. Sicklemore) and seconded by the Rear-Commodore (Captain C. H. Tremayne) that the club's Y.R.A. representative, Capt. R. T. Dixon be empowered to invite the "J" class to race again at Falmouth in 1934. An ammendment by J. Harley Mead, and seconded by F. C. Bond, that the big yachts be NOT invited to race in 1934, having been put to the vote and defeated, the original motion was adopted.

Note: In 1933 Capt. Dixon was almost certainly in the Baltic again, as it was reported about the late George Corke "His collection of yachting trophies, mainly for international contests, is probably unequalled by any private individual in the country. Most prominent is a giant trophy, originally presented by Kaiser Wilhelm, and won by Mr. Corke in the six-metre race in the European Regatta at Kiel Sound in 1933."

1934

Captain Dixon's log of the Sea Crest (new in in 1934) starts with opening pages devoted to compass deviation and measurements .

Inside front cover of Captain Dixon's 1934-5-6 log for Sea Crest

Left Page: West Dev. - True - East Deviation

"Mast pivot to Truck 33 ft 9 ins."

Right page - statistics

20 tons Thames Measure. Reg. Gross 18.5 tons. Net 7 tons.

LOA 43.2 ft. Thames Measure 39.5 ft. LWL 36 ft.

Beam 11.6 ft., Draft 5 ft. Depth 6.25 ft.

Sea Crest was fitted with two petrol/parrafin engines

"Total blade area over each propellor 91 sq. ins. Pitch 22

( Duer )

Experimental propellor 144 sq. ins. Pitch 20"

Capt. Dixon's Sea Crest at her berth in Mylor Harbour, opposite Admiralty Cottage, Mylor Dockyard.

Twin-engined, (ideal to cruise and to tow 8-m Cutty).The war caught up with her in Norway in 1939.

Bob Cat US 6-metre (George Corke's photo album)	1935 Regatta Torbay or Dartmouth ?

1937

6-Metre Kara I.O.D. racing, Norway, 1937 (Photo courtesy of Kenny & Jenny Corke)

1938

Sea Crest at her berth in front od Admiralty Cottage, Mylor Harbour. Note the laid up shipping (c.1936)

1949

"This history would hardly be complete without some mention of those "In-port" members who were in the forefront of racing helmsmen. With regard to racing not confined to western waters, the two names which natutally come to mind are Capt, R. T. Dixon, late Royal Engineers, and J. Harley Mead. Both octogenarians, they started racing over sixty years ago and gained their early experience in the Solent with raters and half-raters, etc., in competition with the best helmsmen, who knew every aspect of the racing technique. Dixon and Mead are two of the oldest surviving members of the Island Sailing Club at Cowes, Dixon having joined in 1898 and Mead two years later, and both of them are well-known members of the Yacht Racing Association."

Although Capt. Dixon had owned a number of heavy pleasure cruisers at various times, he concentrated on the six-metre class. In one season, he had no fewer than three of them built until he was satisfied with the detail, and he initiated the Bermudian Rig in this class. He won more than 1000 trophies from the time he first started racing in 1895, and was still actively racing in the summer of 1948. Capt. Dixon raced in Geeorge Corke's Magpie, in the 18 ft. Falmouth restricted class. He was President of the Flushing S.C. at the time of his death.

Among the numerous trophies he gained throughout the world is a large cup, which was presented by the Kaiser (German Emperor) in 1912.

The Cup appears to have been donated by Captain Dixon to the six meter class, as it was later won by his protege, George Corke in 1933... "Most prominent [ amongst George Corke's trophys] is a giant trophy, originally presented by Kaiser Wilhelm, and won by Mr. Corke in the six-metre race in the European Regatta at Kiel Sound in 1933. " I understand the cup was donated to the Falmouth Working Boat class by Kenny Corke, owner of Evelyn, in memory of his father. [photo anyone? (e-mail)]

Capt. R.T. Dixon in Lady Maud or Sea Crest

Capt. R. T. Dixon on the counter of Lady Maud

Amsterdam, by George A. Corke (crew) 1927

1928:

It was decided to hold two club regattas on 1928, the first on 20 July, to include special races for the big yachts of the ex-21-metre class and the 12-metre class, and the second in August for the usual classes. There were no entries in the 12-metre class, due, in part, to a regatta in [Le] Havre. In the big boats, all last year's competitors took part, except Westward, plus two new cutters, Cambria (Lord Camrose) and Astra (Sir Mortimer Singer). Shamrock (Sir Thomas Lipton) was the winner, Lulworth (A. A. Paton) second, and Astra third, followed by White Heather II, Britannia and Cambria.

At the end of the year, Capt. R.T. Dixon agreed to represent the club at the R.Y.A. Conference, and to invite the big yachts, the 12-metre class and the dinghy class to race at Falmouth in 1929.

The [20 July 1928 RCYC Regatta) results in the Sunbeam class were:

1st Jasmine (Capt. R. T. Dixon), 2nd Caprice (Mrs H. C. Sicklemore), 3rd Blackbird (W. H. Dowman*), 4th Trent (F. H. Stedman), 5th Merrythought (H. G. Sicklemore) and 6th Little Lady (Capt. H. L. Wilcox, R.N.).

Blackbird was a new name for Berthe, which was bought by Dowman from C. R. Stephens that season.

At the second [RCYC] regatta, held on 20 August,1928, The results in the race for Sunbeams were: 1st. Blackbird, 2nd Little Lady, 3rd Caprice, 4th Maranui, 5th Trent and 6th Merrythought. The other two competitors, Jasmine and Halcyone, gave up.

In 1931, the International 8-metre class visited Falmouth for a week's racing in the port. At the club regatta, on 5 September, Cutty (W. H. Dowman won, Unity (B.W. & F. R. W. Preston) was 2nd and Anthea (H. G. Sicklemore) third. Sagitta won a second place (to Cutty) in a race on 7 September. Cutty, a new boat built by Camper & Nicholson the previous year, won the Gold Medal of the Solent Classes for the best record in the International 8-metre during the 1931 season. Steered for the owner by an expert Cornish helmsman, Capt. R. T. Dixon, she captured 20 first prizes, 8 second and 5 third prizes, a total of 33 prizes in 35 starts.

At the [RCYC] Regatta on 9 September, 1933 in the Sunbeam class, Caprice (Mrs. H. G. Sicklemore) was 1st, Merrythought (H. G. Sicklemore) 2nd, and Speedwell (R. Foster) 3rd. The other two entries, Flame (E. K. Tremnayne) and Maranui (Capt. C. H. Tremayne), did not start.

This was the first time the Sunbeams had taken part in the club regatta since 1930, and during their absence Halcyone and Trent had left the port, while Jasmine, previously owned by Capt. Dixon, had been [sold to R. Foster, and] renamed Speedwell. [ Mead, History of the RCYC 1871-1949, pp.146-147 ]

1937: Baltic cruising & racing

Kara, (I.O.D.) Capt. R.T. Dixon, racing in Norway (George Corke, crewman) 1937

1938: Olso-Stockholm-Leith

Q: Any connection with Sir Raylton Dixon and Co., builders of the FRAM (1897)?

See: http://www.mathison.freeserve.co.uk/Fram/framain.html

THE TORPEDOING - On the night of January 31st - February 1st 1940, the FRAM was at anchor in Rosehearty Bay, sheltering from a SE gale while on passage from Stockholm to West Hartlepool.

The Steamship FRAM was originally named the RUSS and was built in 1897 by Sir Raylton Dixon and Co. of Middlesborough for the Danish company Dansk-Russisk Dampskjbsselskab (Danish-Russian Steamship Co.) at a cost of 532,507 D kr. Her port of registration was Copenhagen, her gross tonnage was 2,463 tons and she measured 325ft x 43ft x 22ft. She could maintain a service speed of 9 1/2 knots. She was built for the wood and pulp trade, plying her way around the Baltic ports. On the 16th April 1920, DRD and the entire fleet was bought-over by Det Forenede Dampskibsselskab (DFDS) of Kobenhoun. As these vessels were mainly constructed for the wood trade, which was not included in the trading policy of DFDS in those days, most of the steamers were rather quickly disposed of, amongst them the RUSS. She was sold on 13th October 1922 to Angfartyg A/B 'Kjell' of Kalmar, Sweden, who specialised in the wood and pulp trade, and renamed FRAM. The FRAM survived two collisions. Once it collided in the White Sea with the Norwegian steamer HESSA, and another time with the English Steamer CONTINENTAL TRADER. In 1937 its port of registration was changed to Stockholm.

Captain Sven Eric Rane (born 3/12/82, died 1/2/40) had a long and successful career. He first went to sea in 1900 on board the sailing ship CIMBRIA of Simrishamn (Sweden) and afterwards in the Norwegian and English sailing ships. In 1906-07 he gained his 'Mates ticket' and later his Captaincy. He was employed as mate on the SS ANTON and the SS ATLANTEN, being the captain of the latter until 1916. During the war years 1916-17 he transferred seven English steamers from Finland to ports in Sweden and Norway. Thereafter he was employed as the chief Mate of SS STINA of Gothenburg. In 1921 he became Mate of SS AGRICOLA then captained the SS BARBRO. In 1925 he was employed by Angfartygs A/B 'Kjell', first as chief mate of SS INGA then as Captain of the TRIO and BRITT. In the same year he was given command of the FRAM which he commanded for 15 years up to their last voyage together.

From Aberdeen BSAC's Magazine 'Mouthpiece' 1977 (Thanks to Rod MacDonald* for copy of this article)

*Author of DIVE SCOTLAND'S GREATEST WRECKS

In 1939 the club had a 16-foot St. Mawes Design built for the use of its members. Teal was constructed by the Ponsharden Shipyard at a cost of £70, plus a royalty of £1 for the designer, Mr. Ferris of St, Mawes. She was completed in June, but was little used before the outbreak of war. As predicted by members such as Capt. R. T. Dixon, members soon lost interest in looking after a boat that was nobody's baby.

OBITUARY (Source & Date?): Internationally Famous Yachtsman Won 1,000 Prizes

Death at Mylor of Captain R. T. Dixon [1866-1950 ???]

Yachtsmen in Falmouth and District, and places more distant will mourn the loss of one of their best known personalities - Captain Richard Travers Dixon, of Admiralty Cottage, Mylor Dockyard. who died early on Monday morning, at the age of 83. (he would have been 84 on Sunday)

A native of Sydney, Australia, he received his commission in the Royal Engineers in 1885. He retired in 1897. Captain Dixon, (formerly of Southampton) came to reside at Mylor in 1926. [aged 60?]

An active member of the Flushing Sailing club and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club for many years, he served on the council of the Yacht Racing Association [YRA] and represented Great Britain at many international conferences. His length of office in this direction was 38 years, from 1900 to 1938. In addition, he represented Britain* in the Olympics (sailing section) and the Gold Cup and One Ton Cup competitions. [*On the winning British Olymic 7-Metre team, London, 1908]

Capt. Dixon, who had travelled all over the world, visited America several times for cup races. Total number of First Prizes secured by him during a lifetime of yachting is understood to be approximately 1,000.

Among the numerous trophies he gained throughout the world is a large cup, which was presented by the Kaiser (German Emperor) in 1912. One year later, at Dartmouth, a dead-heat resulted between Capt. Dixon and another competitor. Being in rather a predicament, they agreed to literally share the cup, which was cut in half!

Specialising in six-metre yachts, he was one of the first persons in Britain to introduce the Bermudian rig to the six-metre class. In Vanda, he achieved remarkable success, winning 60 first prizes in 64 starts.[1912?]

His well-known cutter, Lady Maud, took part in many ocean races. Competing in five Ocean Races, he gained two firsts, a second and a third place!

From 1932 until the outbreak of war he made annual cruises in the Baltic with his motor-auxiliary, the Sea Crest. He had to make a hurried departure from Norway in 1939, when war was declared, and left the Sea Crest there. The boat was never found again.

Since the end of the war, Capt. Dixon raced in Mr. G. Corke's Magpie, in the 18 ft. Falmouth restricted class.

Captain Dixon was one of the first members of the Y.R.A. (elected in 1900) and presented a large number of trophies to local clubs over a period of years. The numerous organisations with which he was associated included the Royal London, Royal Thames and Royal Plymouth Corinthian Clubs, in addition to the following Royal Clubs; Southampton, South-West Yacht and Cruising, besides the Ocean Sailing and Royal Ocean Racing Clubs.

Mylor's rather reserved, but well-liked captain was also a keen motorist, being one of the original members of the Royal Automobile Club. In the early days of motoring he owned a De Dion Bouton (French) car, employing a man to walk in front of it with a red flag!

He leaves a nephew (Major T. Dixon), engaged on civilian administrative duties in Germany, and a niece (Miss F. Field) who resides at Churchingford, near Taunton.

==========

... Although he had owned a number of heavy pleasure cruisers at various times, he concentrated on the six-metre class; in one season, he had no fewer that three of them built until he was satisfied with the detail, and he initiated the Bermudian Rig in this class. He won more than 1000 trophies from the time he first started racing in 1895, and was still actively racing in the summer of 1948. He was President of the Flushing S.C. at the time of his death.

[Above obituaries are from a scrapbook beloging to the late George Corke, and transcribed here courtesy of Ken & Jenny Corke, (2001)]