We learned a great deal about Burgess' innovative aeronautical designs in the nascent age of flying. We also heard about his groundbreaking three-wheel automobiles. Perhaps most interesting to us was the chance to learn about the man himself. He lost his loving parents at an early age, overcame an upper lip deformity and married five times. Burgess was a pioneer of design and very human.
Through it all he dreamt big and designed terrifically fast boats that incorporated concepts of flying. And fly they did. In addition to designing the legendary ocean racer NINA, he designed the 12-Meters TYCOON, IRIS and ONAWA. The latter has been wonderfully restored by Earl McMillen and can often be seen sailing in Newport. Today, Burgess is perhaps best remembered for his successful creation of three successful J-class yacht defenders of the America's Cup: Enterprise in 1930, Rainbow in 1934, and Ranger in 1937.
We'll let you know when the book is published. Llewellyn Howland is a fine writer and will no doubt produce another fine book.
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| The J-Class Rainbow - Rosenfeld Collection |
