Alfred Mylne

Alfred Mylne(1872–1951) was aScottishyachtdesigner, born inGlasgow.He founded A Mylne & Co. in 1896.

Work

Alfred Mylne was apprenticed to the Scottish shipbuildersNapier, Shanks and Bell,and went on to work as a draftsman and apprentice toGeorge Lennox Watson.Watson was the designer of theRoyal YachtHMYBritannia,the racingcutterfirst owned byEdward, Prince of Wales.

Mylne set up his own office in 1896. In 1906, Mylne was involved in establishing theInternational Metre Rule,a yacht-racinghandicaprule. Mylne designed a number of race-winning boats, including the 19-metre class cutterOctaviain 1911. Four15-metre classyachts and the early12-metre classCyraare listed as built to his designs, as well as the8 metreRaven.

Boat designerUffa Foxwas a close friend of Mylne, and the latter appears regularly in the books Fox wrote before theSecond World War.When Sir William Burton had his 12-metre class yacht,Marina,designed, this was reviewed inUffa Fox's Second Book(1935).

"The mast ofMarina,the 12-metre Alfred Mylne designed for Sir William Burton in 1935, was called upon to endure some very heavy strains before the racing season started, for on her passage from theClydeto the South round the "Land" she met very bad weather... Though designed as a light-weather "12",Marinaproved herself an able and seaworthy vessel, and came through that gale without damage to herself or her crew. "

Mylne was joined in his office byThomas Glen-Coats,and in 1908 Mylne and his apprentice Glen-Coats competed in the 12-metre class sailing event of the1908 Summer Olympics,in the yachtsMouchetteandHerarespectively. This was the only Olympic event ever to be held in Scotland(prior to 2012), andHerawon the gold medal.

During the First World War, the Bute Slip Dock Co (Mylne's yard at Ardmaleish point on the Island of Bute) produced hulls and components forFelixstowe F.3andFelixstowe F.5flying boats, as well as other Naval work. This introduced the company to new methods of construction and experience with new materials that were later adopted for use in Mylne's post war yacht designs.

The 41 ft Bermudan CutterMedea(ExVladimir), see above photo, was designed by A Mylne in 1903 and built byAlexander Robertson & Sonsin 1904. The yacht was subsequently bought by A Mylne in 1930, modified extensively, and stayed in the Mylne family for over 30 years.

Alfred Mylne IIsucceeded his uncle as the senior partner in the business in 1945. He was joined by Ian Nicolson as a partner in 1959. A.Mylne & Co continues to trade as an independent yacht design company Mylne Yacht Design, and is managed within the portfolio of Marine Design International Ltd.

References

• "History of A. Mylne & Co".A. Mylne & Co.Retrieved11 July2008.

External links

• Website of A. Mylne & Co