N509 Alert

[National 12 Webmaster]

The life of N509 Alert. Design: Holt 500, designed by: Jack Holt in 1946

[ken goddard]

From Ken Goddard
I was contacted about this boat several times over the years from 2000 (as was also Kevan Bloor) by an elderly gentleman fro Glasgow, Jim Gibb. This boat had been recovered from the loft of a boatyard and Jim was in the process of restoring it. His work included steaming several new ribs.
When the boat became seaworthy he decided to use it for fishing in Loch Lomond. I am not sure if he had rigged "Alert" for sailing, but sometime around 2004 (?) his wife died and I do not recall hearing from after that. Jim's last known address was
3 Hamilton Crescent, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 3JP,
Tel: 0141 942 4941
Ken Goddard

[jon@frontrd.demon.co.uk]

In the early-1950s, Alert (N509) was sailed by Derek Somerville whom I remember as a very helpful Commodore of Staines Sailing Club. He encouraged the young in their dinghy racing and later served as chairman of the NTOA Thames area.

[jon@frontrd.demon.co.uk]

Derek Somerville was ntoa Thames Area Chairman (1960-66)