Filter

Unframed Black and White, Silver Gelatin, Limited edition Photograph of sailing yacht Valkyrie 3 sailing at sea. Taken by a talented marine photographer Alfred John West in 1895. This photograph was scanned from original glass plate negatives and developed in the dark room as they used to do it period. Available to purchase in deferent sizes from Brett Gallery. Beken of Cowes Framed Prints, Beken of Cowes archives, Beken of Cowes Prints, Beken Archive, Cowes Week old Photographs, Beken Prints, Frank beken of Cowes.

Sailing Yacht Valkyrie 3, 1895

Name: Sailing Yacht Valkyrie 3, 1895
SKU: 1049
Availability: InStock

£995 – £3,500

Alfred John West (1857 – 1937)

Beken of Cowes Archive

An elegant and moody limited edition, silver gelatin photograph of the British Challenger for the 1895 Americas Cup Valkyrie 3. This sailing boats evocative image was taken by Alfred John West when she was becalmed whilst sailing on the River Clyde in Scotland.

Limited edition, silver gelatin photograph, printed using the original 12” x 10” glass plate, with 3 x 3.5mm conservation mountboard and presented behind 99% UV, non-reflective glass.

Edition number will be advised on purchase.

Print only available upon request.

Available in 4 sizes

Size Options

Clear

Add to Wishlist

Valkyrie III

Type: Gaff Cutter Year of Launch: 1895

Builder: D & W Henderson, Glasgow Designer: George L. Watson

L.O.A.: 129ft (39.31m) Beam: 26ft (7.92m)

Draft: 19ft 6in (5.97m) Sail Area: 12,621 sq ft (1,172 sq m)

Hull Material: Wood (elm and teak) with steel frame

Like her ill-fated predecessor Valkyrie II, rammed and sunk in the race in 1894, this yacht was designed by great naval architect George L. Watson. Valkyrie III was built at the D & W Henderson shipyard on behalf of a syndicate led by Lord Dunraven, a member of the exclusive Royal Yacht Squadron of Cowes.

Valkyrie III was launched May 27, 1895, to challenge the U.S. for the America’s Cup trophy that the Yankees had already held for nearly half a century. The British boat won the second race committee because of a penalty incurred during the frenzied manoeuvres before the start. This made life much simpler for the American crew in the third and final race, which they went on to win. It would not be the first time – or the last – that controversy would overshadow the actual sport in the history of sailing’s most prestigious trophy.

Just shy of 40 meters overall, Valkyrie III displaced 167 tons and carried over 1,172 square meters of canvas, most of which was accounted for by the giant gaff. It’s worth noting that her maximum beam, almost eight meters, was almost a meter broader than her American rival, thinner and therefore lighter and faster in light to medium wind conditions. The extra beam was needed not so much for race performances as for seaworthiness because the rules of the cup required the challengers to sail across the Atlantic.

With no further challenge by Lord Dunraven, Valkyrie III did not serve as a “trial horse” for any other cup campaign – although she was offered to Lipton. So the yacht was sidelined and ultimately demolished in 1901.

Text by Bruno Cianci – (Legendary Sailboats, Beken of Cowes)

Sizes & Prices

External Frame Dimension	Image Size	No in Edition	Price
980mm x 980mm	615mm x 615mm	50	£995
1,260mm x 1,260mm	800mm x 800mm	50	£1,595
1,500mm x 1,500mm	1,000mm x 1,000mm	25	£2,500
1,700mm x 1,700mm	1,200mm x 1,200mm	25	£3,500

As we ship worldwide – our Crating & Shipping prices are based on the size, weight of your ordered items together with your location. Please allow up to 14 days from the date of purchase for delivery as every picture is made to order. If you are purchasing multiple framed prints in various size combinations, it may be worth contacting us directly first to ensure the most cost-effective delivery solution for you. However, most of the pictures in various sizes and formats are available to view and purchase from our Gallery.