William Umpleby Kirk Collection (page 13)

The ketch Ficha at anchor, 1922. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The ketch Ficha at anchor, 1922

The Seaview Cafe, 1933. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Seaview Cafe, 1933

The Americas Cup challenger Endeavour, 1934. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Americas Cup challenger Endeavour, 1934. Endeavour was designed by Charles Nicholson and raced by T.O.M. Sopwith in the Americas Cup

The Americas Cup challenger Endeavour, 1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Americas Cup challenger Endeavour, 1935. Endeavour was designed by Charles Nicholson and raced by T.O.M. Sopwith in the Americas Cup

The cutter Monara under sail, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Monara under sail, 1913

The 60 ft ketch Linth, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 60 ft ketch Linth, 1912. Linth was designed by Frederick Shepherd in 1910

Gurnard, Isle of Wight. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Gurnard, Isle of Wight

The 9 ton auxilary cutter Grayling with tender, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 9 ton auxilary cutter Grayling with tender, 1921

The 8-metre Ierne sailing with spinnaker, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8-metre Ierne sailing with spinnaker, 1913

A yawl under way, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
A yawl under way, 1913

Cole & Son, W. Road, Gurnard, Isle of Wight, 1931. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Cole & Son, W. Road, Gurnard, Isle of Wight, 1931

Snowdrop and Correnzia racing up wind, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre class sailing yachts Snowdrop and Correnzia racing up wind, 1911

The 7 Metre yacht Pinaster (K8) sailing with spinnaker, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 7 Metre yacht Pinaster (K8) sailing with spinnaker, 1912

The 9 ton auxilary cutter Grayling, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 9 ton auxilary cutter Grayling, 1921

The 6 Metre class Cynthia setting spinnaker, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre class Cynthia setting spinnaker, 1912

Brunhilde on slip ready for launching. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Brunhilde on slip ready for launching. Brunhilde was built by S. E. Saunders on the Isle of Wight for the Duke of Westminster as a successor to the record breaking Ursula

The 118 foot racing yacht Cariad, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 118 foot racing yacht Cariad, 1912. Cariad, named after the Welsh word for Sweetheart was built by Summers & Payne in Southampton for Lord Dunraven in 1896

Rollo (foreground) and Javotto racing under spinnaker, 1911
The 12 Metre class yachts Rollo (foreground) and Javotto racing under spinnaker, 1911. Javotto was designed by Alfred Mylne and built in 1909

Group of 6 Metre boats racing, 1922. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of 6 Metre boats racing, 1922

The power boat Maple-Leaf III under way, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The power boat Maple-Leaf III under way, 1911. The 40 ft Maple-Leaf III was owned by the Canadian banker E, Mackay Edgar. It was powered by a 12-cylinder, V-type Orleans engine of 400 horsepower

The 8 Metre Le Jade (H21) sailing in fine conditions, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre Le Jade (H21) sailing in fine conditions, 1912

Group of Cruisers: Ma oona, Bloodhound, Sonya, & Creole. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of Cruisers: Ma oona, Bloodhound, Sonya, & Creole

Egyptian motor launch being launched, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Egyptian motor launch being launched, 1911 at S. E. Saunders boatyard

The hydroplane Columbine at anchor. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The hydroplane Columbine at anchor. The Fauber design hydroplane Columbine was built by Sam E. Saunders in 1909

A Run to East Lepe: Ostara, Mariska, Corona & Octavia, 1911. Creator
A Run to East Lepe: the 15-metre Ostara, Mariska, and 19-metre Corona & Octavia run downwind, 1911

Group of V s: Daisy (6), Mary (3), Judy (4), Rosemary (13), Fay (24) racing, 1931

Saunders motor launch in yard, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Saunders motor launch in yard, 1914

Wolseley motor launch, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Wolseley motor launch, 1911. The Wolseley Motors company, a British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in early 1901 by Vickers, also built marine power-units for a variety of watercraft

Start of 6 Metres race, 1925. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Start of 6 Metres race, 1925

Wolseley motor launch. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Wolseley motor launch. The Wolseley Motors company, a British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in early 1901 by Vickers, also built marine power-units for a variety of watercraft

Wolseley motor launch under way, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Wolseley motor launch under way, 1913. The Wolseley Motors company, a British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in early 1901 by Vickers, also built marine power-units for a variety of watercraft

No wind for the 8 Metres race, 1931. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
No wind for the 8 Metres race, 1931. Spinnakers flagging on downwind run

The steam boat Porthos, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The steam boat Porthos, 1912

The steam yacht Dorothy. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The steam yacht Dorothy

The steam yacht Jeanette, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The steam yacht Jeanette, 1911. Built by John Brown & Co Ltd in 1911, Jeanette was requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1915

Wolseley motor launch under way, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Wolseley motor launch under way, 1914. The Wolseley Motors company, a British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in early 1901 by Vickers, also built marine power-units for a variety of watercraft

Wolseley motor launch under way, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Wolseley motor launch under way, 1911. The Wolseley Motors company, a British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in early 1901 by Vickers, also built marine power-units for a variety of watercraft

15 Metre Mariska sailing close-hauled, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
15 Metre Mariska sailing close-hauled, 1911. Mariska was designed by William Fife and launched in 1908

The magnificent 15 Metre sailing yacht Jeano, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The magnificent 15 Metre sailing yacht Jeano, 1911. Jeano, originally named Tritonia, was designed by Alfred Mylne and launched in 1910

The cutter Westwind sailing close-hauled, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Westwind sailing close-hauled, 1912

The gaff rigged yacht Nautilus, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The gaff rigged yacht Nautilus, 1912

The 44 ton ketch Wayfarer, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 44 ton auxiliary ketch Wayfarer, 1921

The 44 ton auxiliary ketch Wayfarer, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 44 ton auxiliary ketch Wayfarer, 1921

The hydroplane Columbine under way. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The hydroplane Columbine under way. The Fauber design hydroplane Columbine was built by Sam E. Saunders in 1909

Camper and Nicholsons motor yacht launch. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Camper and Nicholsons motor yacht launch

Modwenas motor launch with Modwena in the background, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Modwenas motor launch with Modwena in the background, 1911. The 135 ft barque sailing ship Modwena was built in 1908 by John Reid in Glasgow

Power boat under way, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Power boat under way, 1914

Mitcham launch, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Mitcham launch, 1913

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William Umpleby Kirk was a renowned yacht designer and builder, known for his exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. His company, Kirk & Sons of Cowes, created some of the most iconic yachts of their time. One such masterpiece was the 205 ton J-class yacht Velsheda, captured in all her glory sailing close hauled in 1933. The sleek lines and impressive size showcased Kirk's expertise in creating powerful yet elegant vessels. Another notable creation by Kirk & Sons was the steam yacht Boadicea, gracefully anchored and exuding timeless charm. This vessel stood as a testament to Kirk's ability to combine luxury with functionality. In 1913, Cremona crashed through a wave with sheer force, displaying both her strength and the skillful design by William Umpleby Kirk. The image immortalized this momentous event that highlighted the durability of his creations. The steam yacht Joyeuse also bore witness to Kirk's ingenuity in boat building. Launched in 1914, she epitomized elegance on water while boasting cutting-edge technology for her time. Kirk's designs were not limited to motor yachts alone; he also excelled at crafting magnificent sailing vessels like White Heather and Shamrock racing downwind. These images captured thrilling moments during races where speed met artistry. Shamrock IV, an America's Cup challenger from 1914 without its topsail displayed another side of William Umpleby Kirk’s talent - designing competitive racing yachts that pushed boundaries. However, not all moments were triumphant; RMS Olympic suffered damage after colliding with HMS Hawke in the Solent waters in 1911. This incident demonstrated how even well-crafted vessels could face unexpected challenges at sea. The steam yacht Surf painted a serene picture as it rested peacefully at anchor in 1912 – showcasing yet another facet of William Umpleby Kirk’s versatility as a designer.