Charles Ernest Collection

The 205 ton J-class yacht Velsheda sailing close hauled, 1933
The 205 ton J-class yacht Velsheda sailing close-hauled, 1933. Velsheda was designed by Charles E Nicholson and built in 1933 for Woolworths founder William L Stephenson

Americas Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailing without topsail, 1914. Creator
Americas Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailing without topsail, 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson. She was launched in June 1914

Trivia, a 12 Metre class yacht sails close-hauled, 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Trivia, a 12 Metre class yacht sails close-hauled, 1939. Trivia was designed by Charles Nicholson for Vernon W. MacAndrew. She achieved first in her class in 1937, her first season

The 19-metre class Norada & Mariquita, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 19-metre class Norada & Mariquita, 1913. Norada was designed by Charles Nicholson and Mariquita by William Fife III. Mariquita is the only surviving 19-metre of the six that were built

The 23-metre cutter Astra sailing close-hauled, 1932. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 23-metre cutter Astra sailing close-hauled, 1932. Astra was designed by Charles E Nicholson for Adam Moritimer Singer and was launched in 1928. It was converted to J-Class in 1931

Istria sailing downwind under spinnaker, viewed from stern, 1912
Istria sailing downwind under spinnaker, 1912. Istria, was designed by Charles Nicholson and originally owned by the architect Sir Charles Allom

A Service Station - Seaplanes, Second World War, (1944). Creator: Charles Cundall
A Service Station - Seaplanes, Second World War, (1944). British aircraft of the Royal Air Force at the coast. Painting in a private collection. From " Britain In The Air", by Nigel Tangye

The Big Five J Class yachts racing downwind, 1934. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Big Five J Class yachts racing downwind, 1934

The launch of Shamrock IV with H. M. S. Victory in the background, May 1914. Creator
The launch of Shamrock IV at Gosport with H.M.S. Victory in the background, May 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson

The ketch Lady Camilla under sail, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The ketch Lady Camilla under sail, 1912. Lady Camilla, originally called Nyria, was designed as a cutter by Charles E. Nicholson and built in 1906. In 1912, under the ownership of Mr H

The racing cutters Istria and Mariska, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The racing cutters Istria and Mariska, 1912. Istria was designed by Charles Nicholson, Mariska was designed by William Fife

The ketch Lady Camilla sailing close-hauled, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The ketch Lady Camilla sailing close-hauled, 1912. Lady Camilla, originally called Nyria, was designed as a cutter by Charles E. Nicholson and built in 1906. In 1912, under the ownership of Mr H

The racing cutters The Lady Anne and Istria running downwind, 1912. Creator
The racing cutters The Lady Anne and Istria running downwind, 1912

The 19-metre cutter Norada sails close-hauled, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 19-metre cutter Norada sails close-hauled, viewed from lee quarter, 1911. Norada was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched 1911

The 19-metre cutter Norada sails in a following wind, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 19-metre cutter Norada sails in a following wind, 1911. Norada was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched 1911

The 19-metre class Norada & Mariquita racing close-hauled, 1913. Creator
The 19-metre class Norada & Mariquita racing close-hauled, 1913. Norada was designed by Charles Nicholson and Mariquita by William Fife III

The 19-metre cutter Norada sailing close reaching, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 19-metre cutter Norada sailing close reaching, 1911. Norada was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1911

The 15 Metre class sailing yacht Paula III, heeling on windward leg, 1913. Creator
The 15 Metre class sailing yacht Paula III, heeling on windward leg, 1913. Paula III was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913

The Americas Cup challenger Endeavour, 1934. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Americas Cup challenger Endeavour, 1934. Endeavour was designed by Charles Nicholson and raced by T.O.M. Sopwith in the Americas Cup

The Americas Cup challenger Endeavour, 1935. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The Americas Cup challenger Endeavour, 1935. Endeavour was designed by Charles Nicholson and raced by T.O.M. Sopwith in the Americas Cup

The racing yachts Astra and Endeavour, 1936. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The racing yachts Astra and Endeavour, 1936

The schooners Margherita & Germania, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The schooners Margherita & Germania, 1913

A group of 15-metre class yachts: Pamela, Maudrey, Paula III & Istria, 1913
A group of 15-metre class yachts beating upwind: Pamela, Maudrey, Paula III & Istria, 1913. A total of twenty 15-metre yachts were built between 1907 and 1917

The 15 Metre Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1913. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

The 15 Metre Istria sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre Istria sailing close-hauled, 1913. Istria, was designed by Charles Nicholson and originally owned by the architect Sir Charles Allom

The 15 Metre sailing yacht Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre sailing yacht Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1913. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

Sailing yacht Trivia running downwind under spinnaker, 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Sailing yacht Trivia running downwind under spinnaker, 1939. Trivia was an International 12 Metre designed by Charles Nicholson

Magnificent group of 1st Class Races: Shamrock V, White Heather and Candida, 1930

The 15 Metre class sailing yacht Paula III, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre class sailing yacht Paula III, 1913. Paula III was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913. It was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast which Nicholson also used

The gaff rigged 15 Metre yacht Paula III sailing close-hauled, 1915. Creator
The gaff rigged 15 Metre yacht Paula III sailing close-hauled, 1915. Paula III was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913

The 15 Metre Istria sailing close-hauled, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre Istria sailing close-hauled, 1914. Istria, was designed by Charles Nicholson and originally owned by the architect Sir Charles Allom

The 19-metre class Norada, Wendula & Mariquita racing close-hauled, 1911

The cutter racing yacht Terpsichore running downwind, 1922. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter racing yacht Terpsichore running downwind, 1922. Terpsichore was built in 1920 as a competitor to the Kings Britannia. It was later renamed Lulworth

The beautiful 15 Metre class sailing yacht Paula III, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The beautiful 15 Metre class sailing yacht Paula III, 1913. Paula III was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913

The 15 Metre class Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre class Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1913. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

The 15 Metre class Pamela sailing close to the wind, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre class Pamela sailing close to the wind, 1913. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

The majestic 15 Metre class Pamela sailing with spinnaker, 1913. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

The 12 Metre racing yachts Vim and Tomahawk, 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 12 Metre racing yachts Vim and Tomahawk, 1939. Tomahawk was one of the large Twelves built just before the war. It was designed by Charles Nicholson and comissioned by the aviator Thomas Sopwith

The towering 10, 450 sq ft sail area of Shamrock IV, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The towering 10, 450 sq ft sail area of Shamrock IV, 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson. She was launched in June 1914

The 15 Metre Paula III sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre Paula III sailing close-hauled, 1913. Paula III was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913. It was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast which Nicholson also used

The 15 Metre sailing yacht Paula III in fine form, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre sailing yacht Paula III in fine form, 1913. Paula III was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913

The 19-metre cutter Norada sailing close-hauled, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 19-metre cutter Norada close-hauled, 1911. Norada was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1911

Istria viewed from lee quarter, reaching, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Istria viewed from lee quarter, reaching, 1912. Istria, was designed by Charles Nicholson and originally owned by the architect Sir Charles Allom

Norada after launching, Portsmouth Harbour, 17th June 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Norada after launching, Portsmouth Harbour, 17th June 1911. Norada was designed by Charles Nicholson and launched from the Camper & Nicholsons boat yard in Gosport

The 15 Metre sailing yacht Pamela searching for wind, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 15 Metre sailing yacht Pamela searching for wind, 1913. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

The 12 Metre sailing yacht Westra racing on upwind leg, 1936. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The 12 Metre sailing yacht Westra racing on upwind leg, 1936. Westra, designed by Charles Nicholson, was the winning yacht in 1934 when she won 15 out of 35 races. She came second in 1935 and 1936

Istria sailing close-hauled, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Istria sailing close-hauled, 1912. Istria, was designed by Charles Nicholson and originally owned by the architect Sir Charles Allom

The majestic Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The majestic 15 Metre class Pamela sailing close-hauled, 1914. Pamela, designed by Charles Nicholson and launched in 1913, was fitted with the innovative Marconi topmast

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"Charles Ernest: A Legacy of Capturing the Majesty of Sailing" Step into the world of yachting history as we explore the remarkable work of Charles Ernest, a visionary creator who immortalized some of the most iconic moments on water. From breathtaking J-class yachts to elegant racing cutters, his lens captured it all. In 1933, witness the sheer power and grace of Velsheda, a 205-ton J-class yacht sailing close-hauled. The wind fills her sails as she effortlessly glides through the waves, leaving spectators in awe. Travel back to 1914 when America's Cup challenger Shamrock IV took to the seas without her topsail. Charles Ernest's keen eye captures this historic moment with precision and artistry. The year is now 1939, and a magnificent 12 Metre class yacht finds itself sailing close-hauled under Kirk & Sons' craftsmanship. Every detail meticulously portrayed by Charles Ernest showcases both beauty and technical prowess. Transport yourself further back in time to 1912 when Istria sailed downwind under a vibrant spinnaker. Viewed from stern, this captivating image reveals an exhilarating sense of freedom that only sailing can provide. Even amidst wartime challenges in 1944, Charles Cundall's painting depicts seaplanes at a service station - an unexpected yet poignant reminder that life goes on even during tumultuous times. Returning to thrilling regattas in 1934, witness five majestic J Class yachts racing downwind. Each vessel vies for victory while displaying their grandeur against an azure backdrop - truly a sight to behold. May 1914 marks another significant event as Shamrock IV is launched with H. M. S Victory standing tall in the background. This juxtaposition symbolizes tradition meeting innovation as two maritime legends unite. Lady Camilla takes center stage once more in Charles Ernest's portfolio from 1912; her ketch rigging gracefully cutting through the water.