In 1920 capital was raised to buy the now derelict yard in the Strand previously owned by Gann & Palmer. Skilled craftsmen were employed and orders sought for racing craft. Not surprisingly It was a struggle as there was a decline in trade after World War One. Constant strikes made progress almost impossibe. Frank Morgan-Giles, however, did progress with the firm and brought in skilled men from outside the town to achieve the high standards he expected. The yard was in a very poor state of repair after lying derelict for so long and was quickly brought up to a condition where boat building could commence. Apart form new builds the job book shows many repairs in 1920 and laying up of boats for the winter, this type of work continued throughout the decade and the life of the yard.
National 14 1920There was still a strong demand for pulling and sailing dinghys. The job book shows at least 20 built of lengths from 10 to 18ft in the first year of business including nine 14ft vessels for the Henley Sailing club. Frank maintained a keen interest in the one design centreboard dinghy classes and designed amongst others an 18ft class for the Wilton and Frinton Yacht club in Essex (see the section 'One Design' under Vessels). He also displayed six boats in the 1923 Small Craft Exhibition in London. An 18ft West of England Conference Jollyboat, a 14ft National Restricted Class racing dinghy, a 12ft 6in sailing dinghy, a 10ft sailing pram, a lightweight yacht’s motor launch and a yacht’s rowboat.
The work situation improved when the yard had the first two orders for 6 metre International Racing yachts to be amongst those that were to be chosen for the recently established British-America Cup. Whimbril was built for G E Penny and Margaret for Lord Birkenhead, regrettably neither were chosen to represent Britain.
In 1922 -23 two 40ft passenger boats were built. One of these Lady Cable built for Alf Pittaway took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk. She is still existing but regrettably in a very poor state of repair. There were two more passenger launches built later, Nomad and also Springfield which went to the Scilly Isles and is still in existence.
Lady Cable
Springfield
SirisAn order was received in 1925 for an 8 metre racer for General Sir Arthur Paget VC one of a very distinguished yachting family, with this yacht called Siris, the yard excelled, she did well in her class and won the Coupe de France in 1927.
Jolie Brize. Teignmouth 2015One famous vessel still afloat today is the 1913 Jolie Brize. She was refitted in the Morgan Giles yard in 1927 adding an engine and an additional cabin. She then took part in the Fastnet race Captained by Sidiney Briggs of Teignmouth.
At least seven 6 & 8 Metre yachts were built throughout the 1920’s. Margaret, Whimbrel and Siris mentiond above. Also Quixie, Siris II and Emily II One of the most famous 6 metre was Dana, built for Valdemar
Margaret Graae a Danish owner of ‘Maypole’ fame. In 1927 she was lent to the Royal Thames Yacht Club as the British contender for the Scandinavian Gold Cup in the Long Island Sound in America. She was renamed English Rose and Frank was to sail her. He insisted that his wife, Ivy was one of the crew. English Rose came third as the Norwegians and Swedes introduced Genoa’s for the first time. She was later sailed by the King of Denmark in the Royal Regatta at Cannes. She is still sailing and now owned by the Morgan Giles Heritage Collection.
To achive the number of vessels built and to such a high standard in the first decade of operation must be a testament to the dedication and skill of the people who led the business and those craftsmen that built these fine vessels, many of which are still sailing a century later. Perhaps the most prestigeous 8 metre yacht was built early in the 1930's - Hispania VI.
The Image here shows some of the staff on the occasion of the opening of the new stores in 1929. Mainly young apprentices by th look of it. Frank Morgan-Giles is standing on the right.
