Aberdare
Replica of the 1932 Brisbane-built skiff known as the Galloping Ghost, the revolutionary heel-less 7ft beamer that was Australian champion four seasons running in the 1930s. The replica was built by Robert Tearne and launched in 2000.
The boat
- Original launched
- 1932
- Replica launched
- 2000
- Original builders
- Alf “Toby” Whereat
- Original skippers
- Vic Vaughan
- Former skippers
- John Winning
- Notable honours
- Australian champion for four successive seasons in the 1930s, including the 1934 Australian Championship on the Brisbane River.
- Dedication
- To Vic. Vaughan
- Jumpers
- White with a black diamond
- Beam
- 7ft (2134 mm)
- Length
- 18 feet
- Boat weight
- 268.5 kg
- Centreboard weight
- 28.5 kg
- Rudder weight
- 9.5 kg
- Depth
- 2 feet
Status
- Status
- not recorded, awaiting the sailing committee
- Owner
- not recorded, awaiting the sailing committee
- Estimated annual cost
- not recorded, awaiting the sailing committee
The story
When launched on the Brisbane River in 1932 this revolutionary skiff was an instant success. Revolutionary because she was a heel-less skiff type 18 footer with a 7 ft beam and a depth of only 2 feet. Transferred to Sydney Harbour, she soon earned the title of the Galloping Ghost.
Not to be outdone, Sydney skipper George (Ned) Press built HC Press IV and V, and W. Arnott built The Mistake. With the SFS refusing to recognise the 7ft narrow beamers, the 1934 Australian Championship was held on the Brisbane River. Aberdare won with brilliant sailing.
The 1937 crew photographed with the original were: back row, Charlie Swanson, Pat Cotter, Bill Pugh and Bill Keogh; middle row, Billy Hill, Vic Vaughan (skipper), Fred Hart (owner), Tom Anderson and Arthur Frizelle (Manager); front row, Roy Kingston and Bert Pride. Both sons of Tom Anderson won gold medals in sailing at the 1972 Olympic Games: Thomas Anderson sailed with John Cuneo (skipper) and John Shaw in the Dragon Class, and John Anderson sailed with David Forbes (skipper) in the Star Class.
You can sail this boat. Try sailing three times before joining; we provide the training. Start here.