A presentation model of America’s Cup Challenger

94 A presentation model of America’s Cup Challenger Valkyrie II, 1893

Height: 14¼in (36.5cm) Length 67in (170cm)

This half hull model of Valkyrie II was built by the G. L. Watson for Lord Dunraven, Royal Yacht Squadron, and presented to Valkyrie’s racing skipper William Cranfield. The bronze-coloured bottom is painted with black topsides and has a maple stump mast, bowsprit, caprail and original painted decks. It is set on a mahogany backboard with a moulded edge and Bakelite name plaque engraved ‘Cutter Yacht Valkyrie, R.Y.S. 1893’. Scottish.

Provenance:

William Cranfield and thence by descent until Sotheby’s Marine Sale, London, April 1999 Hyland Granby Antiques, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts 2002 The Kelton Collection of Maritime Art & Artifacts

Not withstanding the name plate, this hull shows the second of three yachts named Valkyrie by the Earl of Dunraven. She was built in composite construction and was a close sister to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Both yachts were designed by George Lennox Watson

(see previous page) and built at the D&W Henderson shipyard at Meadowside, Partick, on the River Clyde. She sailed to the U.S. to compete in the 8th America’s Cup against Vigilant. The best-of-five races took place off Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Trailing 2-0, Valkyrie II lead for the whole of the vital third race, apparently the winner, until her spinnaker shredded at the last mark, handing Vigilant the series. Valkyrie II returned to Great Britain, where she maintained an active racing career until 1904, when, with George Watson himself on board, she was rammed by Satanita, ironically another Watson designed yacht, and sank off Holy Loch.