Chain Plates 45-45' IOR
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
DateMay 1974
Object numberANMS1543[007]
NamePlan
MediumPaper
Dimensions342 x 610
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionMarked 45-foot IOR yacht, indicates this chainplate was designed by Ben Lexcen and his team almost certainly for GINKGO and APOLLO II
HistoryThe chainplates on a 45-foot IOR yacht are one of the many design projects which need to be researched, designed and workshop drawing produced. There will likely be six for the shrouds, as well as the forestay, inner-forestay, back stays, and sometime the running backstays. They all need to be strong, and correctly fastened to the yacht, as the failure of a chainplate will mean the loss of mast when the yacht is at sea. As rigging failures occur when under high stress, it may well be in bad weather at night, so the yacht will not only lose the race but there is a high risk to the safety of the crew.
SignificanceThe chainplates on a 45-foot IOR yacht are one of the many design projects which need to be researched, designed and workshop drawing produced. There will likely be six for the shrouds, as well as the forestay, inner-forestay, back stays, and sometime the running backstays. They all need to be strong, and correctly fastened to the yacht, as the failure of a chainplate will mean the loss of mast when the yacht is at sea. As rigging failures occur when under high stress, it may well be in bad weather at night, so the yacht will not only lose the race but there is a high risk to the safety of the crew. 
