Spirit of Bermuda designer’s ashes poured into the sea off St David’s

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Late Spirit of Bermuda co-designer Bill Langan had a deep passion for the Newport Bermuda Race and the Island’s charm.

So it probably comes as no surprise that the avid sailor requested, before his death nearly two years ago, to have some of his cremated remains buried in Bermuda’s waters.

Mr Langan’s ashes were buried off St David’s shortly after the 84 ft yacht Angel completed the Newport Bermuda Race early Monday morning.

The rest were buried earlier, in the waters off Newport, Rhode Island.

“This whole race was my father’s passion,” said Mr Langan’s son, Tom. “He wasn’t really concerned about the competition itself but just the sail down that was great.

“The burial was definitely emotional; we were just bringing up all sorts of memories about him along the way so it was definitely emotional after the finish.

“But he was right there with us the whole time and I know this would’ve made him happy.”

The late yacht designer took immense pride in being an integral part of the development of Spirit of Bermuda.

“One of the things Bill was most proud of was designing Spirit of Bermuda,” said past Royal Bermuda Yacht Club commodore Ralph Richardson. “Once we were having dinner and he told me there’s not going to be any tall ship on the ocean that’s going to be able to beat her.

“Spirit did live up to all the promises he made, including the safety. The sloop has an extremely good safety record and her design is envied by many who consider her to be a modern yacht and we keep telling them that’s the way Bermudians built them in the 1830s .

“Bill caught the vision right away and put a lot of time in the [Spirit of Bermuda] and I don’t think we paid him anywhere near what his time was worth.

“We miss him dearly and we wish his family well and we are happy to see Angel here, which is one of his last creations.”

Spirit of Bermuda was one of 166 boats participating in this year’s Newport Bermuda Race.

The triple-mast sloop was the sole entry in the experimental Spirit of Tradition Division.

Mr Langan died from leukaemia in December 2010 at the age of 55.

Prior to his death he participated in 20 consecutive Newport Bermuda Races.

He was also technical director of the Bermuda Race and project manager for the 12-metre yacht, Freedom, that won the America’s Cup in 1980.

In preparation for the 1987 America’s Cup challenge, Mr Langan was chosen as designer for the America II campaign sponsored by the New York Yacht Club.

Angel’s skipper, Paul Fagan, described his late friend as a “great ambassador”.

“Bill was one of the best sailors I’ve ever met anywhere,” said Mr Fagan, who sailed in this year’s Newport Bermuda Race. “He was such a good teacher and was so willing to share everything he knew.

“He was such a great ambassador for the sport. There are so many people who were touched by him and his designs will be participating in this race for years to come.”

Prior to starting the Newport Bermuda Race the crew aboard Spirit acknowledged the sloop’s designer at the Newport Yachting Centre during a moving ceremony attended by Mr Langan’s family, including daughter Annie, sister Katie and brother Steve.

“We are so grateful to Bill for his friendship, his superb design and management skills and his unwavering support of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation,” said the foundation’s co-founder Alan Burland. “It is impossible for us to thank Bill enough.

“He was a wonderful decent person, a great leader and a real gem.”

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Published Jun 20, 2012 at 9:02 am (Updated Jun 20, 2012 at 9:01 am)

Spirit of Bermuda designer’s ashes poured into the sea off St David’s

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