William Umpleby Kirk Collection (page 7)

Gale damage on barge Beryl (press print), 1936. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Gale damage on barge Beryl (press print), 1936

The ketch Apache under sail, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The ketch Apache under sail, 1911

Start of race at East Cowes Sailing Club, July 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Start of race at East Cowes Sailing Club, July 1921

Group of East Cowes Sailing Club Boats, July 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of East Cowes Sailing Club Boats, July 1921

Group of people at an event, c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of people at an event, c1935. Cars arriving, with people in the foreground, one of whom is possibly the Duke of York, (the future King George VI)

Portrait of two women, c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Portrait of two women, c1935

Bride and groom, c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Bride and groom, c1935. Newly-married couple standing in a church doorway

Raters in Cowes Roads. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Raters in Cowes Roads

Group portrait, c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group portrait, c1935. Middle-aged men posing outside a building

Group portrait of wardens, c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group portrait of wardens, c1935

Crowds on the water front during a regatta, c1930. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Crowds on the water front during a regatta, c1930. People strolling along the front, possibly at Cowes in the Isle of Wight, with ships decked in flags in the distance

Portrait of a man, c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Portrait of a man, c1935

Girls in a stage show, c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Girls in a stage show, c1935

The Redwing class Fortuna, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Redwing class Fortuna, 1921

Mr Spencers sailing boat, 1921. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Mr Spencers sailing boat, 1921

Unknown motor yacht under way, c1937. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Unknown motor yacht under way, c1937

Unknown motor yacht. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Unknown motor yacht

Naval officer, 19th century. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Naval officer, 19th century. Man in naval officers uniform

Group portrait on a yacht, Isle of Wight, c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group portrait on a yacht, Isle of Wight, c1935

Portrait of a man, 18th century. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Portrait of a man, 18th century

Naval officer, late 18th-early 19th century. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Naval officer, late 18th-early 19th century. Man in naval officers uniform

Fishing Smack under sail, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Fishing Smack under sail, 1911

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

Group of 15 Metres racing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of 15 Metres racing close-hauled, 1913

The 8 Metre Termagent (H9) racing Windflower (H3), 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 8 Metre Termagent (H9) racing Windflower (H3), 1911

Group of cruisers sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of cruisers sailing close-hauled, 1913

The ketch Valdora sailing close-hauled, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The ketch Valdora sailing close-hauled, 1912

The cutter Onda sailing close-hauled, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Onda sailing close-hauled, 1911

The destroyer HMS Windsor at anchor, 1929. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The destroyer HMS Windsor at anchor, 1929. HMS Windsor (D42) was a W-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service in the final months of World War I and in World War II

Schooner Fantome under way, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Schooner Fantome under way, 1913

Three masted schooner at anchor. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Three masted schooner at anchor

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

The 1st Argentine Destroyer Mendoza built by J Samuel White & Co in Cowes, Isle of Wight, 1928. Mendoza was the first of three Mendoza class destroyers built in the United Kingdom for the Argentine

Launch of unknown ship at Samuel J. Whites shipyard. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Launch of unknown ship at Samuel J. Whites shipyard

Thatched cottage and garden, c1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Thatched cottage and garden, c1935

An unknown topsail schooner under way. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
An unknown topsail schooner under way

Painting of three masted cargo schooner Arctic Stream. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Painting of three masted cargo schooner Arctic Stream. Arctic Stream was built by Russell & Co, Glasgow in 1885

Passengers embarking on Southampton ferry. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Passengers embarking on Southampton ferry

Royal Yacht Squadron and Parade, Cowes, Isle of Wight. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Royal Yacht Squadron and Parade, Cowes, Isle of Wight

The ketch Valdora at anchor, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The ketch Valdora at anchor, 1913

Handicap yacht race at Cowes. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Handicap yacht race at Cowes

Group of yachts. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of yachts

Group of 24 footer yachts racing at Cowes. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of 24 footer yachts racing at Cowes

The Isle of Wight ferry Vecta, 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Isle of Wight ferry Vecta run by Southampton Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Limited (now Red Funnel), 1939

The motor vessel Medina under way, 1932. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The motor vessel Medina under way, 1932

The 353 ton Bournmouth Queen closeup from port quarter, 1923. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 353 ton Bournmouth Queen closeup from port quarter, 1923. Bournemouth Queen was built in 1908, serving as an excursion ship from Bournemouth for much of her career

The paddle steamer Solent Queen, 1932. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The paddle steamer Solent Queen, 1932. Solent Queen was the last iron paddle steamer built for the Southampton Company, entering service in 1889

The Chilean Destroyer Almirante Lynch under way, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Chilean Destroyer Almirante Lynch under way, 1913. Almirante Lynch was the first of six Almirante Lynch class destroyers ordered by the Chilean Navy and built in Cowes, Isle of Wight by J

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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.