A second Royal Alfred Yacht Club silver tankard has come to light, this time in the United Kingdom.
Earlier this year, Cork Harbour reader John Crosbie found a similar item while clearing his house in Cobh. His discovery prompted calls for more information on the historic trophies.
UK reader Rob Collett has now contacted Afloat.ie about a tankard he inherited. It is linked to the Corinthian Match on 4 June 1887.
“I have no direct knowledge of how I might have come by this, other than surmising that it was handed down through my mother’s family,” Collett said.
Collett believes the tankard may have belonged to his great-grandfather, Arthur William Mahaffy, who was 19 at the time and living in Dublin. “He was most likely crew upon Wraith,” he explained.
His great-great-grandfather, John Pentland Mahaffy of Trinity College, was not known to be a sailor.
Collett referred to earlier correspondence with Patrick O’Donovan, who suggested that yacht club records from the period may list only boat owners. “That in itself would of course be very interesting,” Collett added.
He has appealed for further information on the 1887 race, saying any additional detail would be greatly appreciated.
Anyone with knowledge of the 1887 Corinthian Match or other Royal Alfred Yacht Club memorabilia is invited to contact Afloat.ie and share their insights.
Yachtbroker Ronan Beirne adds:
Lloyds Yacht Register of 1884 lists the yacht "Wraith" as follows:
Wraith. Cutter. (Sailmaker Lapthorn). Reg Tons 25.10
Dimensions: 60' x 12' X 8.6
Builder: Fife of Fairlie 1879.
Owner: Joseph H Gubbins of Cork.
Perhaps the same yacht?
