PANDORA racing on the Derwent in the Hobart Regatta in 1920

Images(5)

PANDORA in 2008 showing the raised topsides.

Sail plan of Tasmanian One Design Class. This drawing was used as an illustration for VARUNA w…

Images and an article found in a 1913 Rudder magazine from the USA.

Pandora

Vessel numberHV000187

Vessel Registration NumberHT13190

Sail Number19

Sail Number2

Designer William Hand Jnr

Designer Alfred Blore

Date1910

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 10.03 m x 6.45 m x 2.77 m x 1.52 m (32.91 ft x 21.16 ft x 9.09 ft x 4.99 ft)

DescriptionPANDORA came from a third and successful attempt by E.H.Webster to establish a One-Design class of yachts in Hobart. In 1900 Webster built CAPRICE from plans prepared by Alf Blore, then a few years later he had ERICA built by Logan Bros in Auckland. Both yachts were intended as models for a One-Design class but there was no enthusiasm at the time.

However in 1910 two other owners were prepared to join with Webster to build identical boats for One-Design class racing, and they chose a design by the contemporary American designer W.Hand Jnr from Boston. A yacht called ELF had already been built in Hobart loosely based on those plans that had been published in Rudder magazine. The other craft were almost identical to each other and followed the plans originally drawn by Hand but then further modified by Alf Blore in consultation with the original owners. The first three craft were SPINDRIFT owned by Webster, PANDORA commissioned by D.Barclay jnr and CURLEW owned by the Douglas, Tarleton and Knight syndicate. VANITY, PILGRIM and CANOBIE followed soon after.

SPINDRIFT was launched first in mid-October 1910, and two weeks later PANDORA was launched from Charles Lucas's yard at Battery Point, then early in 1911 CURLEW joined the fleet. By the end of the year there were five craft racing as a fleet. The initial design was found to have handling difficulties running downwind, and changes were made to the aft deadwood and rake of the rudder to give greater control in squally conditions. PANDORA raced succesfully with the class and in mixed fleets for many years, including the 'A' Class post World War 1. It has always remained in Tasmania.

PANDORA is planked in Huon Pine with blackwood frames. The original gaff rig has been modernised to a 3/4 fractional Bermudan sloop sailplan, and in 1950s the hull was given a raised deck to suit cruising. It remains in this configuration in excellent condition and is a fine example of Tasmanian yacht that has evolved from a racing boat to a handy cruiser ideal for the local conditions.

SignificancePANDORA is a timber racing yacht built in Tasmania. It is an example of the One-Design Class yachts that were built specifically for racing on the Derwent River from 1910 onwards. It is also an important example of a yacht built by Charles Lucas in that period.