History of Riptide #3
The Chesapeake 20 “Riptide #3”was built in 1938 by Cap’n
Dick Hartge, a well-known local boat builder in the West River, Anne Arundel
County, MD. The boat was built for Midge
Phillip who later sold her to John Allen Coughlin. Riptide finished sixth in 1939 West
River Sailing Club Summer Series with Wilbur Phillips; fifth at the Annapolis Yacht
Club Regatta in 1941; and third in Gibson Island Regatta in 1941.
According to David Coughlin
(grandson of William Coughlin), his grandfather and uncle Edmond Coughlin
sailed Riptide after John Allen Coughlin
went to war, and they sailed her again from 1945 – 48. John Coughlin had lent the boat to Ellen
& Cynthia Claytons who arranged for and donated Riptide to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum prior to which she
was completely restored and in mint condition.
Riptide was donated in the name of John Allen Coughlin who was killed
in 1944. John had joined the Army Air
Force and was stationed in Kunming, China.
He was a waist gunner on a B-26 bomber and his plane was shot down in
1944 while bombing a Japanese convoy off the coast of China.
Prior to the donation, the
condition of Riptide did not make her
an accurate, authentic representation of the classic lines as designed by Cap’n
Dick Hartge. Riptide was hogged, needed much work on the hull and rigging, and
new fiberglass on the hull and deck.
Someone had also apparently attempted to build a cabin on her. This
work was carried out at the Hartge Yacht Yard under the supervision of Buddy
Hartge who delivered Riptide to the
CBMM where she was on display in the large shed which was recently torn down. The donation and display of Riptide is also intended to pay tribute
to Cap’n Dick Hartge in his role for growth and development of pleasure boating
on the Chesapeake Bay.