Ballast Keel for SOUTHERN CROSS II
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Date16 August 1976
Object numberANMS1543[132]
NamePlan
MediumPencil on tracing paper
Dimensions760 x 1450
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionPlan titled 'Design 22, SOUTHERN CROSS II Ballast Keel'. Drawn by Johan Valentijn at Miller and Valentijn.
Drawing number 22 - 25 ALT "C".
SOUTHERN CROSS II was a working title. The vessel would later be called AUSTRALIA.HistoryBen Lexcen (formerly Bob Miller) 1936-1988 was one of Australia’s principle yacht designers from the 1960s until his death in 1988. He created a number of revolutionary and unorthodox designs and gained International respect. The ocean racing yachts MERCEDES III, APOLLO and GINGKO were amongst his most significant designs, along with the IYRU Contender Class single handed dinghy, and the 18-foot skiffs TAIPAN and VENOM. He was the designer of America’s Cup boats from 1974 until 1987, including SOUTHERN CROSS and AUSTRALIA and was the designer for AUSTRALIA II which won the America's Cup in 1983, a major National and International sporting achievement. His career began under the name Bob Miller, and formed a sail making and design partnership with Craig Whitworth during the 1960s called Miller & Whitworth, which lasted until the mid-1970s. At that time he changed his name to Ben Lexcen, and had a brief design partnership with Johan Valentjin to design AUSTRALIA KA5 and other yachts. This was disbanded around 1978, and he worked under the Lexcen name with a small staff based in his home at David Place Seaforth. After the design of AUSTRALIA II for the 1983 America’s Cup win he established a drawing office which included Peter Lowe as a senior partner. This became Lexcen Lowe Design and a few years after he died it became Peter Lowe Design.
