UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Sphere Drake Holdings Limited (SD)
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $0.01
(Title of Class of Securities)
CUSIP No. G8345M1010
(CUSIP Number)
Thomas F. Steyer
Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C.
One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1325
San Francisco, California 94111
(415) 421-2132
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)
August 1, 1997
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on
Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the
subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule
because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following
box .
Note: Six copies of this statement, including all
exhibits, should be filed with the Commission. See Rule
13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to be
sent.
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out
for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with
respect to the subject class of securities, and for any
subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover
page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of
Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act")
or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section
of that Act but shall be subject to all other provisions
of the Act (however, see the Notes).
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SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our
knowledge and belief, the undersigned certify that the
information set forth in this statement is true, complete
and correct.
Dated: August 8, 1997
/s/ Thomas F. Steyer
FARALLON PARTNERS, L.L.C.,
on its own behalf and as
General Partner of
FARALLON CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.,
FARALLON CAPITAL INSTITUTIONAL
PARTNERS, L.P., FARALLON
CAPITAL INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
II, L.P.FARALLON CAPITAL
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
III, L.P.and TINICUM PARTNERS, L.P.
By Thomas F. Steyer,
Senior Managing Member
/s/ Thomas F. Steyer
FARALLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
By Thomas F. Steyer,
Senior Managing Member
/s/ Thomas F. Steyer
Thomas F. Steyer,
individually and as
attorney-in-fact for each
of Enrique H. Boilini, David I.
Cohen, Joseph F. Downes,
Fleur E. Fairman, Jason M. Fish,
Andrew B. Fremder, William
F. Mellin, Stephen L.
Millham, and Meridee A. Moore.
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EXHIBIT 1
to SCHEDULE 13D
JOINT ACQUISITION STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO RULE 13D-(f)(1)
The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the
foregoing statement on Schedule 13D is filed on behalf of
each of the undersigned and that all subsequent amend-
ments to this statement on Schedule 13D shall be filed on
behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity
of filing additional joint acquisition statements. The
undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible
for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the
completeness and accuracy of the information concerning
him, her or it contained therein, but shall not be
responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the
information concerning the other entities or persons,
except to the extent that he, she or it knows or has
reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.
Dated: August 8, 1997
/s/ Thomas F. Steyer
FARALLON PARTNERS, L.L.C.,
on its own behalf and as
General Partner of
FARALLON CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.,
FARALLON CAPITAL INSTITUTIONAL
PARTNERS, L.P., FARALLON CAPITAL
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS II, L.P.,
FARALLON CAPITAL INSTITUTIONAL
PARTNERS III, L.P., and TINICUM
PARTNERS, L.P.
By Thomas F. Steyer,
Senior Managing Member
/s/ Thomas F. Steyer
FARALLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
By Thomas F. Steyer,
Senior Managing Member
/s/ Thomas F. Steyer
Thomas F. Steyer,
individually and as attorney-in-fact
for each of Enrique H. Boilini, David
I. Cohen, Joseph F. Downes, Fleur E.
Fairman, Jason M. Fish, Andrew B.
Fremder, William F. Mellin, Stephen
L. Millham, and Meridee A. Moore.
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