2026 News
The latest discoveries of the archive since the last update include the rescue of Sorona and the re-discovery of many boats in the fleet. This includes changes in ownership of Stealaway, Saunterer, Suantrai, Segala, Salterello, Shemdra and Salna.
Also, the search for a new home for Scarlet Pimpernel...
In the meantime, interest in the class is growing. Along with an exciting exhibiton at the North Down Museum, Royal Ulster Yacht Club will host a reunion for S Class owners and Shipyard workers on the 6th of June. This is to commemorate the centenary of the opening of the company.
S Class Reunion 2026
To mark one hundred years since the opening of The Shipyard Company Ltd by naval architect Robert Slater, a gathering was organized at Royal Ulster Yacht Club, Bangor, NI, On Saturday 6th of June 2026. The informal meetup was put together by S Class owner Colla McParland, yachting journalist Betty Armstrong and RUYC Vice Commodore Ed Wheeler with the assistance and generosity of the committee and staff at the club. The gathering took place in the Gloucester Room with light snacks and refreshments. The roster of those in attendance included the key names and faces of those who remember not only sailing the S Cruisers but also those who worked in the shipyard, and their relatives.
In attendance was: Ronnie & Denise Slater (son and daughter in law of Bertie - who spent his working life as a surgeon specialising in children with cleft lip), Robin & Betty Armstrong (yachting journalists and avid sailors), James Nixon (former S owner of Spelga and current owner of a fabled River Class), David & Maureen Greenhalgh (son and daughter in law of Robert, first owner of Shemdra), Ed Wheeler & Diana Gadd (niece and nephew of James Edward Maxwell - first owner of Sorona), Jim & Claire Scott (son and granddaughter of yard foreman Elias, or "Scottie"), Paul Officer & Helen Wakerley (owners of Stealaway), Jenny Skinner (who along with her husband Iain of Shetland, restored S11 Suantrai), Colla McParland (owner/restorer of Sorona) and RUYC Rear Commodore Garth Maxwell. A slideshow of images of the S Class fleet past and present was displayed on a big screen. Subsequently, many memories and stories were shared and all left having enjoyed the hours conversing and reminiscing on times gone by.
Left to right: Helen Wakerley, Paul Officer, Jenny Skinner & Colla McParland
