Body plan for model 7204
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Date31 August 1982
Object numberANMS1543[300]
NamePlan
MediumTracing paper
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionSOUTHERN CROSS, the 12mR Australian Challenge yacht for the 1974 Americas Cup Race. The ‘body plan’ drawing marked 7204, made by Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) for the construction of a wooden ‘scaled tank-testing model’ used during the hull design and development in 1973.
HistoryAustralia’s quest for the coveted ‘Americas Cup’ began in 1962 with the Alan Payne designed GRETEL. This was followed in 1966 with the Warwick J. Hood yacht DAME PATTIE and by ‘GRETEL II’ in 1970. Alan Bond took up the challenge hopes in 1973/74, when he hired Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) to design ‘SOUTHERN CROSS’ (KA-4). Based on a lifelong experience designing, building and racing, fast sailing yachts, Ben Lexcen, was the obvious choice for Alan Bond. A successful small boat designer and international Olympic sailor, Ben Lexcen (previously Bob Miller) had designed many successful ocean racing yachts including: PLUM CRAZY, MERCEDES III, APOLLO, APOLLO II, GINKGO, BALLYHOO and CEIL III. With an overall length of 20.45 metres (67.09 feet) and beam of 3.71 metre (12.17 feet), ‘SOUTHERN CROSS’ (KA-4) was built of aluminium at Terry Hills, Sydney by ‘Halvorsen Morson and Gowland’ of Mona Vale and launched in 1973. Following sea trials and crew training alongside the previous challenge yacht ‘GRETEL II’, ‘SOUTHERN CROSS’ was shipped to the USA for the American elimination trials. The American 12mR yachts; INTREPID, MARINER, VALIANT and COURAGEOUS were all trying to be the defending yacht for the cup challenge. Skippered by talented Australian Jim Hardy, ‘SOUTHERN CROSS’ did her best but ultimately lost to ‘COURAGEOUS’. ‘SOUTHERN CROSS’ was not successful in winning the America Cup in 1974 but in 1983 Alan bond returned to Newport with the Ben Lexcen designed ‘AUSTRALIA II’. Captained by John Bertrand, the yacht beat the American yacht ‘LIBERTY’ and Australia finally won the America’s Cup.SignificanceThe body plan drawing is part of a number of similar works, made during the development of Alan Bonds first 12mR yacht SOUTHERN CROSS. It represents the start of Aland Bond and Ben Lexcen’s quest for the coveted Americas Cup when advanced designed and purpose built 12-metre yachts raced against each other. Although SOUTHERN CROSS did not win the 1974 America Cup Challenge it did pave the way for Ben Lexcen and Alan Bond to build a close relationship which would eventually come to fruition in 1983. Captained by John Bertrand, AUSTRALIA II the revolutionary yacht with the famous wing keel, won the race and America lost the cup to Australia.
