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Cresset – Classic British Columbia Yacht

by Trevor Webster and John MacFarlane 2016

Cresset

Cresset with a full suit of sails.(Photo from the Trevor Webster collection. )

I purchased the Cresset in 2009 on Lasqueti Island. I had her towed from Thetis Island to Jack’s Boat Yard in Lund, put her on stands and gutted her right down to the bare hull. Many of the boat’s key components needed to be completely rebuilt. We re–laid most of the deck [when she was still] in the water. I estimate we used about 150 to 170 linear feet of planking. Half of the floor timbers are brand new, as are the keel bolts and about 70 of the ribs. The hull has been refastened and nearly everything else has been re–bolted. The interior is new as well, redone with custom cedar bulkheads. It’s pretty much a new boat!

Cresset was built in 1929 by George F. Askew for Douglas P. and F. Wavell Urry, Vancouver BC who also acted as designers. She was a gaff-rigged headsail cutter. She is 9.94m x 3.11m x 2.01m (32.6' x 10.2' x 6.6') 10.59gt

Cresset

Sailing with the spinnaker set. (Photo from the Trevor Webster collection. )

After she was launched there is a gap in our knowledge of the ownership until In 1953–1958 she was owned by H. St. Claire Jellett, Vancouver BC. In 1958–1985 she was owned by Gerald M. Palmer, Vancouver BC. In 1986–2004 she was owned by Cresset Yacht Preservation Ltd. (originally 2983846 B.C. Ltd.), Lasqueti Island BC.

Cresset

Tiller finial detail. (Photo from the Trevor Webster collection. )

She had a remarkable racing record and we know of a few of her racing results: In 1929 she was the winner of English Bay Regatta, Vancouver BC. In 1930 she placed third overall in the Swifture Lightship Race for the Swiftsure Trophy under skipper Doug Urry. In 1931 she was the winner of the C.O. Julian Trophy (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for Lady Skippers' Race, all handicap classes) under Mrs. F.W. Urry. In 1937 she was the winner of Fraser River Lightship Race for the Minerva Trophy (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club). In 1940 she was the winner of the C.O. Julian Trophy (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for Lady Skippers' Race, all handicap classes) under Mrs. Cowan. In 1940 she was the winner of the Beaver Cup (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club Trophy for cruiser-type vessels in an annual race around White islets and Balenas Island) under D.P. Urry. In 1946 she was the winner of the Beaver Cup (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club Trophy for cruiser-type vessels in an annual race around White islets and Balenas Island) under D.P. Urry. In 1950 she was the winner of the C.O. Julian Trophy (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for Lady Skippers' Race, all handicap classes) under Mrs. F.W. Urry. In 1958 she raced in the Pacific International Yachting Association Swiftsure Lightship Classic under skipper G.M. Palmer (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club) placing 12th overall.

Cresset

Interior galley detail. (Photo from the Trevor Webster collection. )

Her name comes from an old term for a metal cup or basket, often mounted to or suspended from a pole, containing oil, pitch, a rope steeped in rosin or something flammable.

Cresset

The official registry number carved into a main beam in the ship. (Photo from the Trevor Webster collection. )

She is a beautiful vessel and has recently been put up for sale. Interested parties can find the vessel details advertised in a number of classic boat websites online.


To quote from this article please cite:

Webster, Trevor and John MacFarlane (2016) Cresset – Classic British Columbia Yacht. Nauticapedia.ca 2016. http://nauticapedia.ca/Gallery/Cresset.php

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