Topsail Collection

Topsail barge under sail on the Thames, London, c1905

Malpas Ferry looking towards Ferryside Cottage and the Ferry House on the St Michael Penkivel side, Cornwall
The ferry boat Leslie, licensed to carry eleven passengers, sits just offshore and a woman and two men are by another boat onshore. The man on the right is possibly photographer, John Charles Burrow

Sailing Barge Match on the Thames, July 1864
Engraving of a sailing barge match on the Thames, from the Illustrated London News, 23rd July 1864. This match was hosted by the Prince of Wales Yacht Club over a course from Erith to the Chapman

The 76 ton schooner Lisette under sail. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 76 ton schooner Lisette under sail. Lisette was built at Cowes in 1873

The schooner Atlas on the beach in the harbour at low tide, St Ives, Cornwall. 1904
The boat seen on the left bears the registration SS.118. The Atlas was built in 1840 in Wexford, Ireland. In 1902 she was owned by John Tregarthen Short, a coal merchant of St Ives

Black Head, St Keverne, Cornwall. 1908
A view of Black Head from Pedn Boar. Three twin-masted ships under full sail are under way up The Channel off the point. Photographer: Herbert Hughes

The schooner Atlas on the beach in the harbour, St Ives, Cornwall. 1903
Children make the most of the anchor cable as a seat in the sun at low tide. The small boat to the left of the Atlas, has the name Irene painted on the bow

The 140 ft schooner Heartsease under sail. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 140 ft schooner Heartsease under sail. Heartsease was built by J.G. Fay & Co. and later renamed to Adela

Grand Naval Evolutions (engraving)
1095628 Grand Naval Evolutions (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Grand Naval Evolutions)

The Accident to "Shamrock II"on 22 May, the Kings Visit to the Yacht and Narrow Escape (litho)
1593893 The Accident to " Shamrock II" on 22 May, the Kings Visit to the Yacht and Narrow Escape (litho) by Wright

A Voyage from England to Natal in the Union Steam-Ship "Arab"(engraving)
1054862 A Voyage from England to Natal in the Union Steam-Ship " Arab" (engraving) by Nash, Joseph (d.1922); Private Collection; (add.info)

The jibs of a full-rigged ship (litho)
6013468 The jibs of a full-rigged ship (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The jibs of a full-rigged ship)

The Athletic Sports of the Chatham Steam Reserve (engraving)
1045587 The Athletic Sports of the Chatham Steam Reserve (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Athletic Sports of the Chatham Steam Reserve)

The ketch Corinda under sail. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The ketch Corinda under sail

The yawl Pleiad under sail, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The yawl Pleiad under sail, 1911

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

The cutters Creole (3) and Ma oona (6) racing close-hauled, 1913. Creator
The cutters Creole (3) and Ma oona (6) racing close-hauled, 1913. Ma oona was designed by Alfred Mylne and built at McAlisters yard in Dumbarton in 1907. Creole was designed by George L

The racing cutters Creole (3) and Rosamond, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The racing cutters Creole (3) and Rosamond, 1911

The racing cutters Rosamond and Creole sailing close-hauled, 1911. Creator
The racing cutters Rosamond and Creole sailing close-hauled, 1911

The cutter Onda sailing under spinnaker, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Onda sailing under spinnaker, 1911

The yawl Imatra under sail, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The yawl Imatra under sail, 1913

The racing cutter Creole under sail, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The racing cutter Creole under sail, 1911. Creole was built in 1890 from designs of G L Watson for Colonel Villiers Bagot

Group of racing yachts before the start of the Cowes to Weymouth Race, 1913. Creator
Group of racing yachts before the start of the Cowes to Weymouth Race, 1913

Cutter heeling hard on upwind leg. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Cutter heeling hard on upwind leg

Unknown yawl and schooner under sail. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Unknown yawl and schooner under sail

Unknown schooner under sail. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Unknown schooner under sail

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

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

Group of cruisers on Cowes to Weymouth race, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Group of cruisers on Cowes to Weymouth race, 1913

The 96 ft ketch Julnar, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 96 ft ketch Julnar, 1911. Julnar was designed by William Fife and built at Southampton by Summers & Payne to the order of Sir Maurice FitzGerald, the Knight of Kerry, in 1909

The 3 mast auxiliary schooner Czarina. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 3 mast auxiliary schooner Czarina. Czarina was Benjamin Nicholsons largest auxiliary topsail schooner

The gaff cutter Wigeon under sail, 1910. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The gaff cutter Wigeon under sail, 1910

The cutter Citara under sail and towing tender, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Citara under sail and towing tender, 1911

The yawl Suzanne under sail, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The yawl Suzanne under sail, 1911

The 15 Metre cutter Ma oona sailing close-hauled, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre cutter Ma oona sailing close-hauled, 1914. Ma oona was designed by Alfred Mylne and built at McAlisters yard in Dumbarton in 1907

Topsail barge on the Thames with its top mast lowered, London, c1905. The barge is loaded with hay or esparto

Topsail barges at anchor on the Thames, some with topsails lowered, London, c1905

American Topsail Schooner, 1825. Artist: John Rogers
American Topsail Schooner, 1825. From Old Ship Prints by E. Keble Chatterton. [John Lane The Bodley Head Limited, London & New York, 1927]

Reefing topsails on board the training ship HMS Impregnable, Devonport, Devon, 1896. Artist: WM Crockett
Reefing topsails on board the training ship HMS Impregnable, Devonport, Devon, 1896. HMS Impregnable was a second-rate ship of the line that became a training ship at Devonport in 1862

Ships that pass by G. H. Davis
Ships that pass -- some notes for our readers who are spending their holidays by the sea shore. The ships are: cargo steamer, liner, coasting steamer, seagoing tug, oil carrier, racing yawl

ADMIRAL SCHOMBERGs PROPOSED NEW RIG FOR MEN-OF-WAR: A, Lower Mast. B, Trysail Mast. C, Lower Yard. D, Lower Topsail Yard. E, Upper Topsail Yard. F, Topmast Fidded abaft

The Steam Ship Iberia, with Cunninghams Patent Topsail, 1851 Engraving

Admiral Schombergs Proposed New Rig For Men-of-war: A, Lower Mast. B, Trysail Mast. C, Lower Yard. D, Lower Topsail Yard. E, Upper Topsail Yard. F, Topmast Fidded Abaft

The Steam Ship Iberia, With Cunninghams Patent Topsail, 1851 Engraving

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"Topsail: A Glimpse into the Maritime History of Cornwall" Step back in time to 8th July 1912, as we stand on Malpas Ferry gazing towards Ferryside Cottage and the Ferry House on the St Michael Penkivel side. The tranquil scene captures the essence of a bygone era, where ferries were a lifeline for coastal communities. Transporting us further back, let's sail down memory lane to July 1864 when the Thames witnessed an exhilarating Sailing Barge Match. The river came alive with majestic vessels competing against each other, showcasing their prowess and skill. Among these magnificent ships was the Lisette, a splendid 76-ton schooner crafted by Kirk & Sons of Cowes. With her sails billowing in the wind, she epitomized grace and elegance as she glided through open waters. Meanwhile, at St Ives harbor in Cornwall during 1904, we find ourselves captivated by another spectacle -the schooner Atlas resting on the beach during low tide. This picturesque sight reminds us of both nature's power and man's resilience against it. Further along Cornwall's rugged coastline lies Black Head in St Keverne. In 1908 this dramatic location served as a backdrop for maritime adventures that unfolded amidst crashing waves and towering cliffs – tales that still echo through time. Returning to St Ives harbor but this time in 1903, our attention is drawn once again to the enchanting presence of schooner Atlas upon its sandy shores. Here lies evidence of seafaring endeavors intertwined with daily life; a testament to human connection with both land and sea. As we delve deeper into maritime history, we stumble upon grand naval evolutions depicted vividly within engravings. These intricate illustrations transport us aboard mighty warships engaged in strategic maneuvers – reminding us of nations' strength displayed upon vast oceans. But not all stories are of triumph.