Cowes Collection

The spectacular 15 Metre Vanity sailing in a good wind, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The spectacular 15 Metre Vanity sailing in a good wind, 1912. Vanity was designed by William Fife III and launched in 1909

The 205 ton J-class yacht Velsheda sailing close hauled, 1933
The 205 ton J-class yacht Velsheda sailing close-hauled, 1933. Velsheda was designed by Charles E Nicholson and built in 1933 for Woolworths founder William L Stephenson

The steam yacht Wanderer (later named Vagus ) hoisting sails. Built by Robert Steele and Co, Greenock in 1878 for Charles Joseph Lambert as a private yacht

Cremona crashes through wave, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6-metre Cremona crashes through wave, 1913

Yachting at Cowes
In the foaming wake of a racing cutter Date: 1914

Railway Air Services Poster
Railway Air Services (RAS) Poster, serving Plymouth, Teignmouth, Cardiff, Birmingham and Liverpool, Cowes (Isle of Wight), Southampton, Bristol and Birmingham, London (Croydon) and Isle of Wight

The steam yacht Boadicea at anchor. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The steam yacht Boadicea at anchor

The steam yacht Joyeuse, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The steam yacht Joyeuse, 1914

The motor yacht La Toquade at anchor, 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The motor yacht La Toquade at anchor, 1939

The sailing yachts White Heather and Shamrock, race downwind. Shamrock was designed by William Fife and was Sir Thomas Liptons first challenger for the Americas Cup

Western Airways Poster
Poster, Norman Edgar (Western Airways) Ltd, showing prices and times from Bristol to various destinations by Air Express Daily, including special day returns. 20th century

R. M. S. Queen Mary and R. M. S. Queen Elizabeth, off Cowes
Photograph of the two huge liners Queen Mary, in the foreground, and Queen Elizabeth, at top right. The Queen Elizabeth was setting off on her regular service between Southampton and New York

Multiview, Cowes, Isle of Wight
Multiview, Cowes, near Newport, Isle of Wight, England. Date: 1910s

Cowes from the sea, Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, United Kingdom, Europe

The Celebrated Yacht America

King George V at Cowes Week, Bystander front cover 1927
A portrait of King George V (1865 - 1936), in a sailors outfit for Cowes Regatta, which he was attending in 1927. Looking a little like hes had one too many sherries. Date: 1927

Bystander masthead design, 1927
Illustration for the front cover of the Bystander depicted a society crowd at Cowes during the Season. Date: 1927

Hole torn in the hull of RMS Olympic after the collision with HMS Hawke in the Solent, 1911
Hole torn in the hull of RMS Olympic after the collision with HMS Hawke in the Solent, 20th September 1911. The collision took place as Olympic

The schooner Meteor IV, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The schooner Meteor IV, 1911. Meteor IV was Kaiser Wilhelm IIs fourth yacht. It was designed by Max Oetz and launched in 1909

Americas Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailing without topsail, 1914. Creator
Americas Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailing without topsail, 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson. She was launched in June 1914

NICHOLAS II & GEORGE V, 1909. Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (left) with the Prince of Wales (future King George V of England) at Barton Manor on the Isle of Wight, England. Photograph, August 1909

Sloop (Dragon? class) sailing with spinnaker, c1938. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Sloop (Dragon? class) sailing with spinnaker, c1938

The 142 ton steam yacht Sapphire under way, 1920. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 142 ton steam yacht Sapphire under way, 1920. The Sapphire was built for the Duke of Bedford, by John Brown and Co. Limited, of Clydebank in 1912

The steam yacht Niagara, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The steam yacht Niagara, 1912

The auxiliary schooner La Cigale sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The auxiliary schooner La Cigale sailing close-hauled, 1913

The 76 ton schooner Lisette under sail. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 76 ton schooner Lisette under sail. Lisette was built at Cowes in 1873

The 96 ft ketch Julnar, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 96 ft ketch Julnar, 1911. Julnar was designed by William Fife and built at Southampton by Summers & Payne to the order of Sir Maurice FitzGerald, the Knight of Kerry, in 1909

1st Earl of Birkenhead with his daughter on board their yacht, (Isle of Wight?), c1925
Frederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead (1872-1930) with his daughter Lady Pamela Smith Berry, Baroness Hartwell (1915-1982) on board their yacht, (Isle of Wight?), c1925

USS Utah (BB-31) off Cowes

Lord Mountbatten inspecting Sea Scouts
Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma, Commodore of Sea Scouts, inspecting the 2nd Cowes Sea Scouts on the opening of their new Headquarters. August 1977

Kenneth Kendall (b 1924), retired British broadcaster. He worked for many years as a newsreader for the BBC and other channels, and also hosted the game show Treasure Hunt for Channel 4 (1982-1989)

The Yarmouth One Design Greywing, 1922. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Yarmouth One Design Greywing, 1922. The Yarmouth One Design class was established at the Solent Yacht Club in 1910, on the instigation of Sir Arthur Cope, RA

Trivia, a 12 Metre class yacht sails close-hauled, 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Trivia, a 12 Metre class yacht sails close-hauled, 1939. Trivia was designed by Charles Nicholson for Vernon W. MacAndrew. She achieved first in her class in 1937, her first season

The yawl Wendur sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The yawl Wendur sailing close-hauled, 1913. Wendur was built by D & W Henderson & Co. Glasgow in 1883

The 6 Metre Womba II running downwind, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre Womba II running downwind, 1913

The schooner Meteor IV, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The schooner Meteor IV, 1912. Meteor IV was Kaiser Wilhelm IIs fourth yacht. It was designed by Max Oetz and launched in 1909

The cutter Shamrock beating upwind. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Shamrock beating upwind. Shamrock, designed by William Fife, was Sir Thomas Liptons first (1899) challenger to the Americas Cup

Stella sailing close-hauled, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre class Stella sailing close-hauled, 1914

The 6 Metre class Lanka, Wamba and Stella racing on reaching leg, 1914

Wamba II running downwind under spinnaker, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Wamba II running downwind under spinnaker, 1914

The 6 Metre Stella, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre Stella, 1914

The steam yacht Chimaera, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The steam yacht Chimaera, 1914

The 6 Metre Vanda sailing broad reach, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre Vanda sailing broad reach, 1913

The 7 Metre Ancora (K3) sailing under spinnaker, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 7 Metre Ancora (K3) sailing under spinnaker, 1913. Ancora went on to win gold medal in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics

The J-Class yachts Shamrock V and Britannia, 1934. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The J-Class yachts Shamrock V and Britannia, 1934

The sailing yacht Sea Belle under way, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The sailing yacht Sea Belle under way, 1911

The Queens Visit to the Prince of Wales at Cowes (litho)
1063589 The Queens Visit to the Prince of Wales at Cowes (litho) by Hatherell, William (1855-1928) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Queens Visit to the Prince of Wales at Cowes)

The steam yacht Surf at anchor, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The steam yacht Surf at anchor, 1912

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Cowes, a picturesque town located on the Isle of Wight, has long been synonymous with yachting and maritime history, and is here that the 205-ton J-class yacht Velsheda gracefully sailed close hauled in 1933, showcasing the sheer elegance and power of these magnificent vessels. In Cowes, the sea becomes a stage for remarkable creations like the steam yacht Boadicea, anchored proudly amidst its surroundings. Crafted by Kirk & Sons of Cowes, this masterpiece stands as a testament to their craftsmanship and attention to detail. Speaking of Kirk & Sons' brilliance, their creation Cremona crashes through waves in an awe-inspiring display from 1913. The sheer force behind this vessel leaves spectators breathless as they witness its raw power. But Cowes isn't just about sailing; it offers much more. With its charming multiviews capturing every nook and cranny of this idyllic town on the Isle of Wight, visitors are transported into a world where beauty knows no bounds. Yachting enthusiasts flock to Cowes year after year to indulge in their passion for sailing. The sight of sleek yachts gliding effortlessly across azure waters is nothing short of mesmerizing - a true paradise for those who seek adventure on the open seas. Even railway air services recognized Cowes' allure as depicted in their captivating poster that invites travelers to experience the magic firsthand. This enchanting place beckons all who wish to escape reality and immerse themselves in nautical wonders. The steam yacht Joyeuse takes us back in time to 1914 when Kirk & Sons once again showcased their mastery at creating vessels that exude both opulence and grandeur. Its presence evokes nostalgia for an era defined by sophistication and grace. Fast forward to 1939 when La Toquade drops anchor off Cowes - another marvel created by Kirk & Sons.