John Adam was one of the 10 crew members aboard Sir Charles Maciver’s Mouchette that won the silver medal in the 12-metre class at the 1908 Olympics. Born in Gourock, Scotland, Adam was just one of four non-Merseyside-born crew members of Mouchette.
Adam was a founder member, and later a steward, of the Gourock Sailing Club (later Royal Gourock Yacht Club), formed in 1894. He was also Commodore of the Cardwell Bay Sailing Club. Adam was well known locally and served on the Gourock Town Council for many years. He was also Gourock Provost for six years, a position his father held before him. Adam was also a partner, with his brother William, in the yacht-building business, James Adam and Sons, founded by their father.
Great Britain