Clover
68' gaff topsail cutter
Builder: A.R. Luke Brothers
Designer: Albert Luke
Date of Launch: May 7, 1938
Length: 68’ 00”
Beam: 14’ 03”
Draft: 9’ 00”
Displacement: 100,000 lbs.
Hull type: Full keel with attached rudder
Rig: Gaff Topsail Cutter
Designer: Albert Luke
Date of Launch: May 7, 1938
Length: 68’ 00”
Beam: 14’ 03”
Draft: 9’ 00”
Displacement: 100,000 lbs.
Hull type: Full keel with attached rudder
Rig: Gaff Topsail Cutter
CLOVER was designed by Albert Luke and built by Luke Brothers in Hamble, Southampton, England, for Eric Dudley Thompson. She was launched on May 7, 1938, already fitted with echo sounding and wireless directional finding equipment.
Eric Thompson owned CLOVER until 1954, based in the Hamble and Poole areas; he was a Life Member of the Royal Cruising Club. Surviving crew members from the 1940s and 50s have some stories to tell...!
CLOVER then passed through four British owners until being sold in 1972 out of British jurisdiction. She was operated as a charter boat and pleasure craft in various parts of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific, but by the 2000s had fallen into disrepair.
Heading for the breaker's yard, she was acquired by WBFV in 2016 with the purpose of restoring her for service with veterans. She is steadily being restored to seaworthy condition to be a "Tall Ship" program for WBFV.
CLOVER's – and Eric Thompson’s – activities during WW2 are as yet unknown and still being researched – offers of historical information would be hugely welcome.
Eric Thompson owned CLOVER until 1954, based in the Hamble and Poole areas; he was a Life Member of the Royal Cruising Club. Surviving crew members from the 1940s and 50s have some stories to tell...!
CLOVER then passed through four British owners until being sold in 1972 out of British jurisdiction. She was operated as a charter boat and pleasure craft in various parts of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific, but by the 2000s had fallen into disrepair.
Heading for the breaker's yard, she was acquired by WBFV in 2016 with the purpose of restoring her for service with veterans. She is steadily being restored to seaworthy condition to be a "Tall Ship" program for WBFV.
CLOVER's – and Eric Thompson’s – activities during WW2 are as yet unknown and still being researched – offers of historical information would be hugely welcome.
Reprinted with the kind permission of the Association for Gaff Rig Sailing (OGA).
Special thanks to Robin Jarman, PhD, of OGA and Mr. Ian Underdown of the Hamble Historical Society.
Special thanks to Robin Jarman, PhD, of OGA and Mr. Ian Underdown of the Hamble Historical Society.
