Classic Yachts
Cambria in the Western Solent: Size: 24" x 36"
Jolie Brise Winner, First Fastnet Race 1925: Size: 20" x 30"
The 3 J's: Size: 24" x 36"
This superb new painting depicts a truly historic event.
J Class Yachts Velsheda, Endeavour and Shamrock V racing in the J Class Regatta for the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, Christchurch Bay on 10th-12th August 2001.
This is the first time the J Class have raced in UK waters for over 65 years.
Velsheda winning the first race of the J Class Regatta for the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy on Friday 10th August, 2001.
The 4 paintings shown above are now available as a set of 4 limited edition signed J Class prints.
THE FIRST CHALLENGE FOR THE AMERICA'S CUP 1870: Size: 28" x 42"
The Hundred Guinea Cup, presented by the Royal Yacht Squadron for the race round the Isle of Wight on 22 August 1851,was won by the schooner yacht America. In a Deed of Gift the cup was offered to the New York Yacht Club and under the terms of the deed it became a Challenge Cup for friendly competition between countries. In this original deed the cup was given no name, other than that won by the schooner America. So it became known as the America's Cup.
The first challenge for the cup took place on August 8, 1870. The British schooner Cambria lined up against 23 American yachts for the single race in New York waters. As was the custom of the day, the start was from anchor with sails down. Cambria was generously given the weather end of the line but as the signal was given the wind changed and made her the most leewardly boat, resulting in a poor start.
The centreboard schooner Magic was the first away and with the advantage of her shallow draft was able to skirt the shoals around the course. Cambria, which was already 19 minutes behind, was struck by another boat, losing a port shroud and her fore topmast backstay, eventually losing her fore topmast when she gybed for the run home. Magic went on to win, with Cambria down in tenth place.
My painting shows Magic, followed by Idler and Dauntless, with America rounding the Sandy Hook lightship.
The schooner yacht America was launched in New York in 1851 and crossed the Atlantic the same year to challenge British yachts. She competed for the Hundred-Guinea Cup, presented by the RYS for the race round the Isle of Wight, on 22nd August 1851, in what became the first America's Cup Race.
The 53-mile course around the island was referred to at the time as "notoriously one of the most unfair to strangers that can be selected".
On the morning of the race, America and fourteen British yachts of various sizes were lined up at anchor ready for the gun at 10.00. America was slow getting up her anchor and was last to start, but in the light westerly wind ran through all the fleet but four by the time she was at the eastern end of the island. A few miles later, America overtook the leader and led the fleet.
She pulled away dramatically until the wind lightened and the smaller boats began to gain. The slow beat to windward ended after 15 miles when America bore off around St. Catherine Point at the southern tip of the island. America swept up the southwest coast reopening the gap between her and the other vessels.
At the western end of the island is an outcrop of jagged chalk rocks called the Needles, which stretch out into the sea. As America rounded this point a gilt-decorated paddle wheel steamer came swishing and thunking out of Alum Bay. Queen Victoria on the royal yacht Victoria & Albert, had decided to come around the opposite side of the island to meet the yachts.
As the schooner swept past the royal yacht, the Americans saluted the Queen by dipping their blue and white ensign and doffing their caps - a courtesy that she had never received from her own yachting subjects during the course of a race.
At this point America was 7½ miles ahead. When Queen Victoria enquired of her Admiral, "who was lying second ?" she was informed " There is no second, your Majesty!"
The Big Class 1926: Size: 28" x 42"
Endeavour and Shamrock V, 1934: Size: 24" x 36"
Britannia & Ailsa in Cowes Roads 1928: Size: 14" x 22"
