John Steven Dews

STRUCTURE Original canvas PAINT SURFACE The paint surface is sound, clean and ready to hang ULTRAVIOLET UV light reveals no sign of retouching. FRAME Held in a modern frame in excellent condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cowes Week originated in the 1800s with the first official event held in 1812 marking it as the longest running regular regatta in history.  The initial event was followed by three days racing officated by the Royal Yacht Squadron.  King George IV provided further endorsement of the event by provding The King's Gold Cup.  The present work shows the regatta of 1930, the beginning of arguably the most glorious decade of yacht racing in history.

Candida (K8) leads the way; designed by Charles Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson at Gosport in 1929 for Mr. H.A. Andreae, the wealthy merchant banker.  A magnificent Bermudian-rigged cutter, she measured 117 feet in length overall with a twenty foot beam.  She was designed principally as a response to a slight change in the International Rule in 1928, where a yacht's specifications were based on her length and sail area.  The famous yacht designer, Nathaniel Herreshoff proposed a system whereby the length of a yacht was measured at the waterline with an unrestricted area of sail.  The new formula stipulated a waterline length of between seventy-nine and eighty-seven feet, an overall length of 120 feet with a displacement limit if 160 tonnes. 

Close behind Candida comes Westward (5) who was built in 1910 at Rhode Island by the legendary Nathaniel Herreshoff who designed no less than five consecutive America's Cup winning yachts.  She changed hands twice before being purchased by T.B.F. Davis in 1924 and provided stiff competition for the Prince of Wales' Britannia (K1) which can be seen right behind Cambria approaching the mark.

Cambria (K4) in third place has just rounded the mark.  She was designed and built by William Fife at Fairlie; also a Bermudian-rigged cutter, she was owned by Sir William Berry, later Lord Camrose who owned The Daily Telegraph. 

Trailing Britannia by some distance comes White Heather II which was initially owned by Miles Kennedy but by 1928 had been sold to Lord Waring.  She was converted to a J-Class in 1930.

In final place comes Lulworth initially named Terpsichore, and built by the White Brothers of Southampton for Richard H. Lee and launched in the spring of 1920.  In the years up to 1930 she enjoyed great success; out of 258 starts, she was placed first on fifty-nine occasions, with fifty-two second places and twenty-six thirds.  She struggled, however, to compete with the size and power of the J-Class.