Antique Bermudan Sloop 1933 advice sought

[shirley watkins]

New Owner seeks advice on restoring antique, teak Bermudan Sloop built 1933.

In 1933 King George V of Great Britain commissioned a Bermudan Sloop to be built as a gift from the British people to His Highness – the Sultan of Zanzibar.

This 32 foot classic, teak yacht was built by Mc Gruer & Company Ltd., Clynder – Great Britain and weighs 4,6 tons. The deck is teak and the hull is made from oak framing teak.

Since Al Malika’s delivery to the Sultan in 1933, she has had four owners and sailed from Zanzibar to Mombassa and then on down the East Coast of Africa to Durban – South Africa. In 1978 she was transported in land to the fresh water Vaal Dam in Gauteng where she spent approximately 15 years out of the water.

Dudley Isaac purchased Al Malika last year and is seeking advice on how best to restore this antique yacht.

Queries:

Can you put me in touch with enthusiasts you may have info on this design?
Al Malika is an antique yacht and as such, is there any historical significance?
Originally Al Malika was a day sailer. Could anyone advise on the original design of the yacht?
Could anyone supply advice on how this yacht should be restored?

If you can assist with any advice / information please contact Dudley Isaac:

Email - dudley@sailafrica.co.za

Mobile: 27 - 11 - 82 564 8914

[Bob Cleek]

Given its 1933 build, it isn't really an "antique." Just an older boat. Its historical significance is limited primarily to Zanzibar, of course.

I'd suggest you contact the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England. They can at least tell you whether the builder is still in existence (could be... those Brits never seem to fold up their businesses!) or whether the plans are on file at Greenwich or elsewhere. Long shot, but about your only chance.

[kpenokie]

Interesting provenance might also be of interest to the Brits. As far as original documents, plans et al... my thought is Lloyds of London or other insurance companies might have info if the builders are out of business.

[Ruaridh]

As far as I know McGruer's are, sadly, no longer in business, although I think there might be a small part of the company still building traditional clinker dinghies.
Clynder is near Roseneath on the Clyde (in Scotland obvoiusly). I THINK the yard that used to be McGruer's is now at least partly inhabited by a company called New Century Marine, doing specialised steel work. In fact my future step-father in-law is having a steel yacht built there at the moment which I keep meaning to go and have a look at, so I suppose I might know a bit more in the near future.
There are still a good number of the McGruers yachts around, especially in Scotland, and some of them are absolute classics, for example the 'cruiser 8's' that I think are a kind of cruising derivation of the Clyde 8-metre class.
There should be plenty of information available regarding McGruer's, I'm sure a while spent searching the internet will even turn up stuff, and I'd be surprised if there isn't some kind of owners association.
A good place to start looking might be the Clyde Cruising Club who could probably put you in touch with some owners who might know more.
I'll reply to this thread again if I find out more within a reasonable time.
Regards,
Ruaridh.

[Wild Dingo]

sigh..... Shirley Ive posted a bunch of info over in your other post in designs...

The builder did indeed go out of business in 2000 but there are contacts available... mmmmm have a gander at the posts over there Shirley. :rolleyes:

ooooohhhhh... Im feelin right generous about now so here you go! :cool:



Originally posted by Wild Dingo

Sounds like one gem thats worthy of restoration?! Thanks Shirley

Any chance of a photo or two?

Best of luck to Dudley... we have a few folks here from the UK who may be able to resource the information... John? Smacksman? others???

Okay did a bit of a search on Clynder its in Scotland in the Rosneath Penninsula... Ive gotten no returns on the "Mc Gruer & Company Ltd" name so it may have gone out of business... Ive emailed the Rosneath community site and post office for any information they may have and also the Scottish Executive site... I may hear from the Rosneath one sooner as the Executive site says it may take up to 10 days for a response!!! ... so what??... are they all asleeep in Scotland nowadays??

Anyway its hopeful that maybe the builder or their kin are still around and have a contact that you can get ahold on them with... who knows maybe a wealth of info for you... One hopes

Okay further info on the builder... seems they went out of business in 2000...
Company: McGruer & Co Ltd
Company Number: SC7831
Date of Liquidation: 14/12/00
Liquidator: James Macintyre & Co

Sourced from... http://www.insolvency.co.uk/liq/liqsc00.htm#M

Okay... Yet further investigations reveal...

McGruer & Company Ltd
Clynder Boat Builders & Repairers

Tel: (01436) 831313
Address: Clynder
G84 0QN

This in todays telnet directory ukphonebook.com

AND...... from the same source this residential address...

G.T McGruer

Tel: (01436) 810439
Address: Corlach Rahane
Roseneath
Garelochhead
6505

So it appears there is some contact available!!

We will continue to see what we can see... And in the spirit of helpfullness...

The liquidator...

James Macintyre & Company
Chartered Accnts

Tel: (0141) 353 0449
Address: 38 New City Road
Glasgow
G4 9JT

I put that there as maybe if you wanted to contact the liquidator they may well be able to put you in contact with someone who can help... maybe not but then if you dont ask you know what happens

Sooooo there may be more!!... stay tuned and we will see what we can see...

I or someone else may be able to help you further Shirley... You take care now!! :D ... And after all this work tongue.gif please post some pics!! Al Makika sounds brilliant... we wanna see!!!

But for now during my search I have stumblebummed onto this site
http://www.lsp.org.uk/history/index.html
and am now totally engrossed so... later good folks!! :cool:

Take it easy
Shane

[ 05-17-2002, 04:31 AM: Message edited by: Wild Dingo ]

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Good sleuthing, Napoleon.

Check the other thread for a family contact, Shirley.