Boat Register

Additional Build Notes

Current Owner
Guy English

Known Owners

1st owner – Antony Cleminson, Bosham SC, Barnt Green SC, Royal Naval Sailing Assn – from new.

NFA Chairman 1953/1954 and 1957/1958

Deceased July 2014, aged 93 years.

The story goes that Antony, then a Royal Naval officer, was about to start an overseas posting, and persuaded his friend, Charles Currey, Managing Director of Fairey Marine to bypass the long waiting list for new boats and speed up the construction and delivery of this Firefly so that she could be taken by her new owner on board his warship to Antony’s Mediterranean posting.

Many Fireflies at this time were constructed with alloy decks, due to a dire shortage of ply and timber, but “Cleo” was fitted with wooden decks to protect the buttocks of her owner and his crew when sailing in warmer climes!

So the story goes . . . . . . . seemingly, Antony’s posting was changed as “Cleo” raced the 1947 championships later in the year.

Antony presented a half hull model of “Cleo” to Hayling Island SC at the first class championships, which remains on display in the club’s restaurant to this day.

Originally named “Cleo”, after Walt Disney’s feisty cartoon goldfish.

Spring 1948, taken with Antony on board HMS Cleopatra to the West Indies.

Renamed “Fate” by present owner.

Sold to Guy English 1989.

Refer to NFA Autumn Bulletin 2009 for more details of her first owner and his Firefly

1st owner – Antony Cleminson, Royal Naval Sailing Assn, initially Barnt Green SC, later Bosham SC

1986 – Guy English, Restronguet SC
see F2900 and F3146

History

Raced at Clyde, Barnt Green, Welsh Harp and Bosham

Competitor at first National Championships, September 1947. Refer to Boat Register entry against F29 for more information regarding this event.

1950 – National Championships – Poole

At the 1951 championships at Abersoch, (organised by West Kirby SC) with 100+ entries, Antony Cleminson won the Wednesday race (no separate trophy then awarded) and he was leading the Gore, raced that year on the Thursday, 102 starters, only to hit a mark at the end of the first lap – a terminal retirement offence in those days!

1953 – National Championships – Hunstanton

1956 – National Championships – Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey, organised by West Kirby SC

1969 – Antony “retired” from Firefly racing due to a slipped disc – cleaning his windows!