Yacht SECRET sailing in Sydney Harbour, by North Head

Artist Charles Percival Fleming (born 1878)

Dateafter 1878

Object number00029515

NameDrawing

MediumWatercolour paint, pencil, paper

DimensionsMount: 440 x 605 mm
Overall: 530 x 700 x 17 mm, 3.1 kg
Image: 290 x 465 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Dr G M Halliday

Terms

DescriptionA drawing by Charles Percival Fleming titled 'SECRET' depicting the yacht SECRET sailing in Sydney Harbour near North Head with a gaff cutter and two sails forward of the main. The most distinguished feature is the straight stem at the front of the vessel.Three men are depicted sailing the yacht. Four other vessels, two steamers, one sailing ship and a smaller yacht can be seen in the background. SECRET is distinguished by the straight stem which extends out the front.HistoryIt is believed to be the yacht SECRET that raced from the 1850s to 1900s. At this time there were four racing yachts named SECRET. The three possibilities are a 11- ton yacht; 22-ton yacht; and a lighter yacht (weight undetermined) . The 11-ton yacht, built in Liverpool, arrived from England aboard CHAMPION OF THE SEAS in 1862 for a Mr FH Hart. The first race that it took part in and won was the 'Second Grand Annual Victorian Regatta on 1 March 1862. It then went on to win the 'Silver Challenge Cup' in 1863. The following year it made an unsuccessful attempt to defend its title. By 1867 SECRET had changed hands and now was in possession of a Mr Collin. Collin had the SECRET entered in the first Victorian Regatta held on the 28th of December 1867,with Dick Sheppard at its helm. By 1873, once again ownership of SECRET had changed hands, with a Mr W King of the Melbourne Journal of Commerce taking charge. At this time racing details of the 11- ton SECRET are vague, but it was not out of the public eye altogether. In May 1873 the 11- ton SECRET set sail for Snapper Point, leaving Melbourne in rough weather. As it happened RR Campbell was washed overboard, never too be found. This event plus another fatal accident on the 22nd of March, quickened the need to have lifejackets fitted on all boats. Although, presently it is not known if this 11- ton vessel raced or visited Sydney during Fleming's lifetime, it is recommended that this is the same SECRET depicted in the drawing. The most concluding evidence for this assumption is that the 11-ton SECRET is approximately the same size and design (including the straight stem) as they that in the drawing.This similarity can be seen in the picture of the 11-ton SECRET taken from Ralph P.Neale's Jolly Dogs are We. The History of Yachting in Victoria 1838 - 1894.pg.158. The 22-ton SECRET was built in 1875 by New Zealand boat builder Nichol. The owner of the vessel was a Charles Millar. This SECRET participated in a number of races in Victoria, most notably against the MAY QUEEN in the 1880s. Due to the size the 22- ton SECRET, as evident in the picture on page 192 in Neale's book attached to this report, it is unlikely Fleming's SECRET. According to Neale, in 1893 the 22- ton SECRET was brought by C and A Graves of Launceston. The lead was taken out of its keel and a fish well was built in its place. After this alteration it was then used off the west coast of Tasmania to pick up fish and transport them to Melbourne . The third SECRET (weight undetermined) was owned by a Mr Levy and won the 1859 Geelong Regatta. Due to the lack of information available on this yacht its claim to be Fleming's SECRET is very uncertain, unlike the greater support for the 11 - ton SECRET. On the basis of the existing research it is more likely that the 11-ton yacht is Fleming' s SECRET with its similarity in design. But it must be noted that the artist could have changed the appearance of the yacht for his own artistic pursuits. Further investigation is recommend.SignificanceRecreational and competitive sailing on Sydney Harbour have long been hugely popular pastimes for both competitors and spectators alike. Many vessels and sailors were well known to the public and immortalized in paintings such as this.