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JENNY WREN on its mooring in 2004
Jenny Wren
JENNY WREN on its mooring in 2004
JENNY WREN on its mooring in 2004
Photographer D Payne

Jenny Wren

Vessel numberHV000024
Sail Number49
Designer (1861-1925)
Date1889
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 8.53 m x 6.1 m x 1.83 m x 1.68 m (28 ft x 20 ft x 6 ft x 5.5 ft)
Registered Dimensions: 7.4 m x 1.88 m x 1.55 m, 3.99 Tons (24.25 ft x 6.2 ft x 5.1 ft)
Engine dimensions: 6 kilowatts, 2 cylinders (8.05 horsepower)
DescriptionJENNY WREN is a wooden gaff cutter that was designed and built in 1889 as one of the first vessels for the new 2 & 1/2 Rater class that was adopted by the Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Sydney. It was built by Thomas Cubitt in Berry's Bay, Sydney. Cubitt was formerly a shipwright with WM Ford boatbuilders located nearby in Berry's Bay. A sister ship LOUELLE and two other similar designs by Reeks called NORNA and ASTROEA were also built by Cubitt in 1889 and 1890 for the same class.

JENNY WREN had a briefly successful career before two new and very different designs from England joined the others and then dominated the 2 & 1/2 Rater class. At this point the crews from the earlier boats lost interest in racing as a separate class, and soon the 2 & 1/2 Rater class disbanded. JENNY WREN then raced occasionally in mixed fleets and eventually spent more time as a cruising boat. With a succession of owners it underwent various modifications, including the installation of an engine and a small cabin house.

JENNY WREN's longevity was a source of surprise for years. Seacraft Magazine February 1959 has an interview with Skipper Rayment, a respected old timer on Sydney Harbour.

' I asked the "Skipper" whether he knew JENNY WREN's full history, at the same time letting drop that the old Jenny was still sailing around Sydney Harbour.
"JENNY WREN?" he exclaimed. "Don't tell me!"
" I remember- it must have been about 1920 - going to look at JENNY WREN with the idea of buying her. She's a true plank on edge, you know - the traditional lead mine. And she was as old as the hills even then!"

In 2006 JENNY WREN now has a new gaff rig and other changes to the hull, deck and layout. In 2013 its Stuart Turner petrol engine was replaced with a 10hp Nanni diesel. Despite these modifications over time JENNY WREN still captures the appearance and essential sailing qualities of a deep keeled yacht of the 19th century.
SignificanceJENNY WREN is a racing yacht built in 1889 by Thomas Cubitt in Berrys Bay NSW. It is one of the oldest racing yachts still extant in Australia. It was designed by Walter Reeks and is possibly the only existing racing yacht design by Reeks that still survives. It is a very early Australian and probably international example of a Length Waterline and Sail area rule designed yacht. This rule was introduced in 1886/87 and encouraged greater beam compared to the earlier narrow hulls often termed 'plank on edge'. It is a regular feature at many heritage yacht regattas, complimenting both AKARANA (HV000013) and KELPIE from 1893 and together they provide one of the few groups of similar vintage craft sailing in Australia.
Vessel Highlights
KELPIE at the 2013 SASC Gaffers Day event, raisng the ensign in style.
George Ellis
1893
TAIPAN sailing in the third heat of the 1960 world championship series. The cutout Miller was f…
1959
NATOMA in 2021 at Burrill Lake
Bayer Bros
1912
The motor launch in storage at NMM
N & E Towns
MISS SANDGATE on Moreton Bay, Queensland date unknown
Linton Hope
1929
Petrel
Arch Logan
1900
AOMA around 1900 coming past Neilson Park on Sydney Harbour in a good nor easter.
Logan Bros
1899
CURLEW undergoing a restoration project in 2016
William Hand Jnr
1911
FIDELIS in 2012 during a mid week race on the harbour.
Lidgard Boatbuilders
1964
MAKARA in its current configuration
Bjarne Halvorsen 1916-1994
1959
LIBA ONE in 2012  and showing  the paddlewheel arrangement on the centreline
Ian Showell
1964
KRAIT restored for the 75th Anniversary event on 26th September 2018 at the ANMM wharves.
c 1934