Camper & Nicholsons Endeavour

Endeavour was commissioned by Sir Tom Sopwith for the 1934 America's Cup campaign, then a J-Class yacht. Her owner's aviation roots had a positive impact on the boat, with many improvements that both reduced her weight and improved her aerodynamic and hydrodynamic performance. A new feature was the quadrangular genoa, which would later become a standard feature on other boats in this class. Alas, Endeavour did not win the America's Cup, though it was closer to win than any of its competitors. The owner was let down by the crew, who went on strike for a pay raise just before the regatta. The hastily hired crew of strikebreakers was not as professional. Later, the yacht changed hands several times, in 1947 she was sold for scrap and only a miracle saved her just a few hours before she was to be scrapped. In the mid 70's the yacht sank in the vicinity of Cowes, then was bought back by a couple of enthusiasts for £10 and raised to the surface. The boat was a huge piece of rusty iron, so it took many years to restore her to her full glory.