A request for information about the 30ft Gaff Cutter ‘Mercia III’.

Background history.

In the great gale of September the 10th 1903 on the River Crouch the little sloop Mercia II designed by J. Pain Clark and built by her owner J. Jarvis Jun was so badly damaged, as to be deemed a constructive total loss. (An article and photograph were published in the yachting press of November 1903 and featured in Francis B. Cooke's 2nd edition of Cruising Hints 1904)

J. Jarvis Jun set about building a new five ton Gaff Cutter ‘Mercia III’ designed by G.U.Laws. She was launched in the summer of 1905 and had some success at the Burnham Yacht Club until 1908, when she was sold and went up the east coast to Hull. (This trip Lowestoft to Hessle June 1908 is reported in the Humber Yawl club year book of 1909 )

In 1910 she changed hands again to Dr Carnegie of Dublin Bay Sailing Club. (‘500 Miles in Mercia III' from Bridlington, Yorkshire to Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire), Co Dublin was covered in the Yachting Monthly Vol XIII, nos 77 & 78 September 1912 ) More changes of ownership put her in the hands of W. J. Smalldridge.

In 1924 she won the (Tailteann Games Yacht Racing event in Dublin Bay ). More new owners and she eventually came to Runcorn where we found her buried in a wild rhubarb patch in 1988.

The above photos are from prints taken in 1947 and 1965.

Along with a good friend I have been undergoing a full and complete refit. Over the years we have replaced all 64 steamed oak ribs, stem, stern post, horn timber, deck beams, coach roof, cockpit and floors other than the 5 main floors over the keel. Keel bolts were replaced. The keelson had so much rot in the stern post joint we had to graft in a new after end. The planks are of New Zealand Kauri pine and 90% have survived. We were fortunate to find a supply of Kauri Pine (it is now a protected species) to complete repairs. Every copper and bronze fixing has been replaced. A new rudder was the subject of a previous post of mine.

My request it is for any information about "G.U. Laws" and ‘Mercia III’. I would be very grateful if anyone has any of the original publications bracketed above which they would be prepared to part with for a reasonable sum or I will be happy to make a donation to an agreed good cause.

We have photocopies of the articles but the originals would be a very welcome addition to our records. I hope you find this of interest. Thank you for taking the time to read this request for help