|
This 12mR yacht was built in Germany in 1914 by Abeking & Rasmussen for Mr. Henry Horn, who had owned four other Twelves before. He basically had one build every year since 1908. However, as opposed to the others, which had been designed by Gerhard Barg and build by the Neptun Werft in Rostock, this one was designed by William Fife and build by Abeking & Rasmussen. The yacht is currently being restored in Portugal.
Henry Horn was a wood importer from Northern Germany and he raced these yachts during the Kiel Week. The following anecdote can be found in one of the Abeking & Rasmussen biographies:
"Designing and building boats mainly in winter, Henry Rasmussen spent a lot of time every summer cruising and regatta-sailing, and won lots of trophies. There was no need for canvassing, as Rasmussen himself was a masterly yachtsman participating in many national and international regattas every year. Where he showed up it was almost sure that he would pass the starting line on the shot to be on the finishing line far ahead, leaving the runner up sometimes at least ten minutes behind. Especially one story gives a proof of his skills of sailing: in 1914 he watched SKEAF, a 12mR he had constructed, doing a bad start at Kiel-week with the owner, Henry Horn, at the helm. Henry Rasmussen, who nicknamed the helmsman a 'night-watch-man' was invited to be at the helm for the next race. He started on the gun, leading by far; immediately after the owner was back at the helm, the competitors caught up with SKEAF and overtook before long. Horn disappeared below deck, grumbling, and the crew asked Rasmussen to take over again. Finally they crossed the line as first yacht home. Nevertheless - or probably because of this experience - Henry Horn was one of Rasmussen's most faithful customers in the following years. So sailing especially his own ingenious constructions was the best way for Rasmussen to advertise his boatyard, besides the proof of high-quality boat-building with the best materials and fittings, most of which were produced by Abeking & Rasmussen themselves."
|
|
