Falcons at the Shambles!

Published 11:26 on 11 May 2026 by Stephen Fraser

WSC has always had a close relationship with the Shambles, and some members will remember the high point of the old Shambles race being the chance to exchange greetings with the crew of the lightship as we rounded. The tradition continues with members regularly sailing their boats out there for a shakedown or a bit of fishing, even if these days a visit to the bank does not have quite the romance it had back in the day.

In the course of this long tradition, two Falcons are recorded in the Clubs photo albums as having visited the Shambles lightship. The first was Glede (M J Gallagher), which was sold out of the Club in 1936, so must have done the trip before that. She was followed by Sparrowhawk bought by Club historian Jim Hayes in partnership with R F Bratby in 1935, who made their visit in October 1936. Both boats tied alongside the lightship and were shown round by the crew, even climbing up the light tower, before sailing back to Weymouth.

The visits clearly took place in light weather, which may have involved a fair bit of rowing; the sensible time to make the visit was at neaps, with the flood tide beginning in the early afternoon, with hopefully a sea breeze filling in to carry the intrepid crews back to Weymouth.

In more recent years there have been similar notable achievements, notably the victory of Aldebaran in the Cimbri trophy race round the Bill, suggesting that the spirit of adventure in small boats is alive and well at WSC!

Steve Fraser

Last updated 11:26 on 11 May 2026