DAME PATTIE crew wet weather jacket
Maker
Plastalon
(Australian)
Date1960s
Object number00048015
NameJacket
MediumPVC coated nylon
DimensionsOverall (laid flat): 1040 x 1400 x 120 mm
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Cynthia Palmer
DescriptionThis jacket was orginally intended for use on board the International 12-metre class racing yacht DAME PATTIE and was subsequently worn on other yachts for recreational sailing on Sydney Harbour.HistoryAt sea protective clothing is necessary to keep sailors warm and dry and reduce risks of hypothermia. When on deck sailors need an insulating and waterproof layer of clothing to keep inner layers of clothing dry.
DAME PATTIE is an International 12-metre class racing yacht built for the America's Cup challenge series in 1967. It was designed by Warwick Hood, AO and built by W H Barnett in New South Wales, Australia.
The 1967 challenge cost $2 million and was funded by an Australian syndicate headed by Emile Christenson, representing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. Sir Frank Packer had unsuccessfully challenged in the 1962 series with Gretel, but in 1967, for the first time, several countries – Australia, France, and Sweden all announced challenges for the cup. As a result trial races had to be staged to select the challenger. DAME PATTIE won the trials easily, but unsuccessfully raced against the American defender INTREPID which won the series 4-0.
During the series INTREPID and DAME PATTIE collided shortly after the start of the second race. DAME PATTIE went on to cross the finish line first, but was disqualified because of the collision. INTRPEPID was declared the race winner.
The yacht was named after Lady Menzies, the wife of the former Australian Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies.
Jonas Kreveld and Max Levee started the firm of Plastalon as a partnership in 1951.
Plastalon was sold to Slater Walker in 1968.SignificanceThis jacket was worn with matching trousers is representative of offshore sailing wet weather gear manufactured and used in Australia in the 1960s.
