William Umpleby Kirk Collection (page 14)

F M Singers motor launch under way, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
F M Singers motor launch under way, 1911

Ship launched at Samuel J. White, Cowes. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Ship launched at Samuel J. White boatyard, Cowes, Isle of Wight

The Arcade, Cowes, 1931. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Arcade, Cowes, 1931

The racing yachts Astra and Endeavour, 1936. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The racing yachts Astra and Endeavour, 1936

The Big Class, 186 ton sailing yacht Lulworth making good speed, 1924. Creator
The Big Class, 186 ton sailing yacht Lulworth making good speed, 1924. Lulworth was designed by Herbert William White and built in 1920

Yachts tying up at Cowes. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Yachts tying up at Cowes

Motor yacht Neva under way, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Motor yacht Neva under way, 1911

The Big Class yachts Valdora, The Lady Anne and Margherita starting the Kings Cup race, 1913

A group of 12 Metres sailing yachts racing on windward leg in good wind, 1933. Creator
A group of 12 Metres sailing yachts including Morwenna and Veronica racing on windward leg in good wind, 1933

The 10 Metre class Pampero (F8) sailing close-hauled, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 10 Metre class Pampero (F8) sailing close-hauled, 1914. Pampero was designed by Alfred Mylne and built in 1912

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

The 15 Metre cutter Paula II close-hauled, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre cutter Paula II close-hauled, 1911. Paula II was designed by Alfred Mylne and launched in 1910

The 40-rater cutter Carina heeling in good wind, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 40-rater cutter Carina heeling in good wind, 1911. Carina was designed by George Lennox Watson for Admiral Montagu and built in 1894

The 167 ton ketch Anemone under sail, 1922. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 167 ton ketch Anemone under sail, 1922

The yawl Zinita, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The yawl Zinita, 1911

The 6 ton ketch Shona under sail, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 ton ketch Shona under sail, 1921. Shona was renamed from Outis in 1921. She was designed by Albert R. Luke and built at Luke & Co at Hamble in 1914

Sailing yachts cross start line. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Sailing yachts cross start line

The schooners Margherita & Germania, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The schooners Margherita & Germania, 1913

Three 19 Metres yachts racing, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Three 19 Metres yachts racing, 1913

The cabin cruiser Minnehaha, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cabin cruiser Minnehaha, 1914

Motor yacht Osprey. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Motor yacht Osprey

The 40-rater cutter Carina sailing with spinnaker, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 40-rater cutter Carina sailing with spinnaker, 1913. Carina was designed by George Lennox Watson for Admiral Montagu and built in 1894

The 40-rater cutter Carina sailing full sail downwind, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 40-rater cutter Carina sailing full sail downwind, 1913. Carina was designed by George Lennox Watson for Admiral Montagu and built in 1894

The yawl Colleen under way, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The yawl Colleen under way, 1912

A group of 15-metre class yachts: Pamela, Maudrey, Paula III & Istria, 1913
A group of 15-metre class yachts beating upwind: Pamela, Maudrey, Paula III & Istria, 1913. A total of twenty 15-metre yachts were built between 1907 and 1917

The 8 Metre Ierne & Gundred racing downwind, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre Ierne & Gundred racing downwind, 1913

The 6 Metre The Whim (L6) and Correnzia racing downwind, 1911

The 7 Metre yacht Ithnan (K2) sailing with spinnaker, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 7 Metre yacht Ithnan (K2) sailing with spinnaker, 1912. The 7 Metre class was used as an Olympic Class during the 1908 and 1920 Olympics. About 200 boats were built

Group of 6 Metres racing downwind, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of 6 Metres racing downwind, 1914

Group of 8 Metre sailing yachts racing close-hauled. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of 8 Metre sailing yachts racing close-hauled

Setting spinnaker on the 8 Metre sailing yacht Spero, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Setting spinnaker on the 8 Metre sailing yacht Spero, 1911

A Hamble River Class dinghy (No 12) sailing close-hauled, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
A Hamble River Class dinghy (No 12) sailing close-hauled, 1921

The 12 Metre yacht Alachie makes swift progress upwind, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 12 Metre yacht Alachie makes swift progress upwind, 1911. Alachie was designed by William Fife and built in 1908

Duke of Leeds motor launch. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Duke of Leeds motor launch

The paddle steamer SS Monarch under way. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The paddle steamer SS Monarch under way

The 15 Metre Hispania running downwind, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre Hispania running downwind, 1911. Hispania was designed by William Fife and launched in 1909. It was first owned by King Alfonso XIII

Portrait of woman in evening dress, (Isle of Wight?), c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Portrait of woman in evening dress, (Isle of Wight?), c1935

Drawing Room at Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight, c1930. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Drawing Room, Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight, c1930. Carisbrooke Castle is a motte-and-bailey castle located in the village of Carisbrooke (near Newport)

Dining Room at Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight, c1930. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Dining Room at Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight, c1930. Carisbrooke Castle is a motte-and-bailey castle located in the village of Carisbrooke (near Newport)

The Royal Yacht HMY Victoria and Albert (1899). Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Royal Yacht HMY Victoria and Albert (1899). HMY Victoria and Albert was designed by the Chief Constructor of the Royal Navy Sir William White, launched in 1899 and ready for service in 1901

Female chorister, (Isle of Wight?), c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Female chorister, (Isle of Wight?), c1935

Sailing yacht Bona being towed, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Sailing yacht Bona being towed, 1912

The 611 ton auxilary barque ship Belem, 1919. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 611 ton auxilary barque ship Belem, 1919. Belem was built in France by builders Chantiers Dubigeon, and launched in 1896

The 8 Metre class Termagent (H9) sailing with spinnaker, 1911

The Truant and Antwerpia IV racing with spinnakers, 27th May 1912. Creator
The Truant and Antwerpia IV racing downwind with spinnakers, 27th May 1912

Termagent, an early gaff rigged 8 Metre sailing yacht, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Termagent, an early gaff rigged 8 Metre sailing yacht, 1911

The 40-rater cutter Carina sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 40-rater cutter Carina sailing close-hauled, 1913. Carina was designed by George Lennox Watson for Admiral Montagu and built in 1894

The 8 Metre Termagent (H9) sailing downwind in fine weather, 1911

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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.