William Umpleby Kirk Collection (page 17)

The Lady Anne sailing close-hauled, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Lady Anne sailing close-hauled, 1914. The Lady Anne a 15 Metre cutter designed by William Fife III was launched in 1912. The Lady Anne was restored in 1999 by Fairlie Restorations

The 8 Metre yacht Norman (H1) sailing close-hauled, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre yacht Norman (H1) sailing close-hauled, 1911

The 8 Metre sailing yacht Dilkusha setting spinnaker, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre sailing yacht Dilkusha setting spinnaker, 1911

The 8 Metre class Termagent and Endrick, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre class Termagent and Endrick racing under spinnaker, 1911

Start of the Kings Cup race, August 1908. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Start of the Kings Cup race, August 1908

The two early 8 Metre class Verbena and Termagent racing in a gentle wind, 1911

The 8 Metre Spero (H8) sailing upwind, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre Spero (H8) sailing upwind, 1912

The 6 Metre sailing yacht Jean, 1922. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre sailing yacht Jean, 1922

The 6 Metre Stella, Vanda, Bubble, Wamba and Lanka racing downwind, 1914

The 18-foot keelboats Vanity (K5) and Asphodel (K4) racing, 1922. Creator
The 18-foot keelboats Vanity (K5) and Asphodel (K4) racing, 1922

The 6 Metre Jonquil heeling on upwind leg, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre Jonquil heeling on upwind leg, 1912

The 7 Metre Nelta (K3) sailing close-hauled, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 7 Metre Nelta (K3) sailing close-hauled, 1911

The 6 Metre Jonquil, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre Jonquil, 1912

Yachts motor launch under way, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Yachts motor launch under way, 1914

Wolseley 45ft cabin launch. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Wolseley 45ft Cabin 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

Studio portrait of George V taken aboard HMY Victoria and Albert, c1935. Creator
Studio portrait of George V taken aboard HMY Victoria and Albert, c1935. King George V (1865-1936) in naval uniform, sitting against a curtain to have his photograph taken on board the royal yacht

The 19-metre class Mariquita sailing close-hauled, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 19-metre class Mariquita sailing close-hauled, 1911. Mariquita was designed by William Fife III and is today the only surviving 19-metre class yacht of the six that were built

The 18-foot keelboat Vanity (K5), 1922. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 18-foot keelboat Vanity (K5), 1922

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

Mitcham launch, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Mitcham launch, 1911

The 6 Metre class Nurdug III sailing upwind, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre class Nurdug III sailing upwind, 1913

The sailing yacht The Truant, July 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre yacht The Truant sails close-hauled, July 1912. The Truant was built by William Fife in 1910 and was first owned by Sir Ralph Gore

The 7 Metre yacht Strathendrick (K5), 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 7 Metre yacht Strathendrick (K5), 1914

The 8 Metre Ventana (H11) sailing close-hauled, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre Ventana (H11) sailing close-hauled, 1914

The 8 Metre Ierne (H17) sailing close-hauled, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre Ierne (H17) sailing close-hauled, 1914. Designed by William Fife III and launched in 1914, Ierne was sold to Norway during the First World War

The 15 Metre class Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre class Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1913. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

The 15 Metre class Pamela sailing close to the wind, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre class Pamela sailing close to the wind, 1913. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

The majestic 15 Metre class Pamela sailing with spinnaker, 1913. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

The 19-metres class Octavia, Norada, Corona & Mariquita racing at Cowes, 1911
The 19-metres class Octavia, Norada, Corona & Mariquita racing downwind at Cowes, 1911. These are the four British built 19-metre class yachts

The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing downwind with spinnaker, 1911. Creator
The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing downwind with spinnaker, 1911. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874

Gundred sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre class Gundred sailing close-hauled, 1913

The 7 Metre Anitra sailing with a good wind, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 7 Metre Anitra sailing with a good wind, 1911

The 7 Metre Olympic class Quaker Girl, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 7 Metre Olympic class Quaker Girl built by Luke & Co, 1911

The cutter Fantome towing tender, 1920. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Fantome towing tender, 1920

Ventana (H11), and early 8 Metre yacht, running downwind under spinnaker, 1913

The 12 Metre Ierne sailing close-hauled, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 12 Metre Ierne sailing close-hauled, 1912. Ierne was designed by William Fife III and launched in 1911

The 6 Metre Cni sailing close-hauled, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre Cni sailing close-hauled, 1921

A barquentine rigged ship, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
A barquentine rigged ship, 1913

The 12 Metre racing yachts Vim and Tomahawk, 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 12 Metre racing yachts Vim and Tomahawk, 1939. Tomahawk was one of the large Twelves built just before the war. It was designed by Charles Nicholson and comissioned by the aviator Thomas Sopwith

The towering 10, 450 sq ft sail area of Shamrock IV, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The towering 10, 450 sq ft sail area of Shamrock IV, 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson. She was launched in June 1914

The 6 Metre international class Baccara (K9), 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre international class Baccara (K9), 1921

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

Wolseley launch, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Wolseley launch, 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

The 6 Metre class boat Jean (K16) sailing close-hauled, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 6 Metre class boat Jean (K16) sailing close-hauled, 1921

Schooner sailing, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Schooner sailing, 1912

The 12 Metre gaff rigged Cyra, 1922. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 12 Metre gaff rigged Cyra, 1922. Cyra was designed by Alfred Mylne and built by Alexander Robertson in 1909

The 23 Metre Candida sailing close-hauled, 1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 23 Metre Candida sailing close-hauled, 1935. Candida was designed by Charles Nicholson for the banker Mr. Herman Andrae. She was launched in 1929

The auxiliary schooner Xarifa at anchor, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The auxiliary schooner Xarifa at anchor, 1912

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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.