The youngest of Tom Ratsey's seven children, Chris was elected a member of the Club in 1919. In 1935 he became Rear Commodore; in 1947, he was made Vice Commodore. The youngest of five brothers, he had not expected to become a sailmaker in the family firm and was studying medicine when in 1914-1918 war began. However three of his brothers, all members of the ISC, were killed during the war, and Chris's sole remaining brother, Franklin was a career naval officer, so it was Chris who became a sailmaker and who, in due course, took over the direction of Ratsey and Lapthorn when Tom Ratsey retired.

Chris in his younger days was a great dinghy sailor. As well as dinghies, he owned Harrier, where he cruised and raced regularly. But his great pride and joy was the sleek and beautiful Evenlode designed for him by Fife. In her, he won the RIR Gold Roman Bowl in 1938 and again in 1947.

At the 1956 AGM, as Chris Ratsey was not standing for re-election, he was created the Club's first Admiral.

Select this link to return to the Admirals page...

More Info...This can be found in THE ISLAND SAILING CLUB HISTORY BOOK 1889 - 2014