ALFRED MYLNE – THE LIFE, YACHTS AND LEGACY OF SCOTLAND’S GREATEST YACHT DESIGNER
DAVID GRAY AND NEIL LYDON
A few days ago, there was a mighty thud emanating from our porch. The above book, weighing in at almost three kilos, was making its presence known. The 500-page contents can only be described as sumptuous, with 600 images (many of drawn from the Mylne archive) and 100 coloured photos taken from the original plans. As well as a biography of the great man, there is a ‘coffee table’ section profiling many of his surviving designs. In producing this book, David Gray, owner of Mylne Ltd, seeks to remind the reader why Alfred is worthy of his place in that great triumvirate of Clyde yacht designers along with Watson and Fife. (Whether Mylne, along with 14 million Roubles in gold, paper and jewels. The book chronicles Mylne’s early training in the offices of GL Watson, his subsequent departure and his early struggles to build up his new business. There has been much conjecture as to their parting of ways. Certainly it happened at a time when Watson had decided that designing smaller yachts was uneconomical, but that does not explain the rancour felt by Watson towards Mylne thereafter. What is clear is that Alfred was able to pick up many of Watson’s small-boat customers and produce highly successful racers, resulting in a loyal customer base for the future. Looking at the many images, one can clearly see that Mylne was turning out yachts with a perfect balance to the hull, and sheerlines to die for: clearly his time at GL Watson had been used to very good advantage. The back story of many of his customers are detailed as well as the important history of his business partner Thomas Glen-Coats (himself a highly proficient designer). Are there errors? A few – it was Fife who designed , not Watson. Is the book worth the cost price of £95.00? You bet it is!
