A few days ago we posted a pic on our Facebook page after I found it on my computer.

The pic promoted one reader to get in touch with us..

HI LSD, Great photo of the 18 footer/ M Class. I’m not sure if you would be interested in this slice of history? The attached photo is that of Mania owned by Jim Frankham and the guy hanging out on the trapeze is my grand father also Stuart Robertson. You’ll see in the article attached, it was these guys, to the best of our knowledge, who invented and used a trapeze for the very first time. If you’re interested, I’ll dig out the second photo in the article, which is an awesome shot. My grandfather is the guy most for’d. Keep up the great work! Stu

Of course we said yes! Here is the article that Stu sent us.

Trapezing changed sailing forever!

History of Trapezing from Wikipedia

There are counterclaims for the origin of the device:

The trapeze was originally developed at Upper Thames Sailing Club, at Bourne End on the River Thames in the United Kingdom on the Thames A Class Rater “Vagabond”, owned by Beecher Moore. When deployed there for the first time it was called a “Bell Rope”.[1]

In 1938 Austin Farrar started his association with the International 14 foot class and a lifelong friendship with Charles Currey. Together they worked on the development of the trapeze, now so common on racing dinghies, which was used so effectively by Sir Peter Scott and John Kift Winter during the championships of that year.

In 1938 a revolution in dinghy sailing took place in Falmouth. Sailors John Kift Winter and Sir Peter Scott had invented the first trapeze for use on their International 14, Thunder and Lightning. The duo used their new invention in the 1938 Prince of Wales Cup race in Falmouth and steamed over the finish line ahead of the rest of the fleet. Almost immediately, the Royal Yachting Association Dinghy Committee banned the trapeze over concerns that it was unsporting.[2] It was reintroduced for the Flying Dutchman class 15 years later, but was not used again on an International 14 until 1970.

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