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William Umpleby Collection

William Umpleby was a renowned photographer from Cowes, known for capturing the beauty and power of yachts in his stunning images

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William Umpleby Collection: The 205 ton J-class yacht Velsheda sailing close hauled, 1933
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William Umpleby Collection: The steam yacht Wanderer (later named Vagus ) hoisting sails
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William Umpleby Collection: Cremona crashes through wave, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The steam yacht Boadicea at anchor. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The steam yacht Joyeuse, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The motor yacht La Toquade at anchor, 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The sailing yachts White Heather and Shamrock, race downwind
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William Umpleby Collection: Hole torn in the hull of RMS Olympic after the collision with HMS Hawke in the Solent, 1911
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William Umpleby Collection: The schooner Meteor IV, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: Americas Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailing without topsail, 1914. Creator
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William Umpleby Collection: Sloop (Dragon? class) sailing with spinnaker, c1938. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 142 ton steam yacht Sapphire under way, 1920. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The steam yacht Aldebaran under way, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The Lady Anne making waves in a good breeze, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 19-metre class Norada & Mariquita, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The steam yacht Niagara, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The auxiliary schooner La Cigale sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: Steam yacht Liberty running east. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 76 ton schooner Lisette under sail. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The majestic cutters White Heather and Shamrock race downwind, 1912. Creator
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William Umpleby Collection: The Lady Anne spray over deck, sailing close-hauled, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: HMY Britannia before being sunk, July 1936. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 96 ft ketch Julnar, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: 1st Earl of Birkenhead with his daughter on board their yacht, (Isle of Wight?), c1925
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William Umpleby Collection: The Yarmouth One Design Greywing, 1922. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: Trivia, a 12 Metre class yacht sails close-hauled, 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The yawl Wendur sailing close-hauled, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 6 Metre Womba II running downwind, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The schooner Meteor IV, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The cutter Shamrock beating upwind. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: Stella sailing close-hauled, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 6 Metre class Lanka, Wamba and Stella racing on reaching leg, 1914
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William Umpleby Collection: Wamba II running downwind under spinnaker, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 6 Metre Stella, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The steam yacht Chimaera, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 6 Metre Vanda sailing broad reach, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 7 Metre Ancora (K3) sailing under spinnaker, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The J-Class yachts Shamrock V and Britannia, 1934. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The sailing yacht Sea Belle under way, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The steam yacht Surf at anchor, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The auxiliary sailing ship Sunbeam, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 23-metre cutter Astra sailing close-hauled, 1932. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: Saunders Shipyard (Interior), Cowes, 1938. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The luxury steam yacht Nahlin at anchor. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: The 105 ft ketch Thendara sailing with spinnaker. 1939. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
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William Umpleby Collection: Istria sailing downwind under spinnaker, viewed from stern, 1912
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William Umpleby Collection: The 15-metre Ostaria, Hispania and Sophie Elizabeth racing upwind, 1911
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William Umpleby Collection: The schooner Pampa. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes


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William Umpleby was a renowned photographer from Cowes, known for capturing the beauty and power of yachts in his stunning images. One such photograph depicts the majestic 205 ton J-class yacht Velsheda sailing close hauled in 1933, its sails billowing against the wind. Another masterpiece showcases the steam yacht Boadicea at anchor, a creation by Kirk & Sons of Cowes, exuding elegance and luxury. In another captivating shot, Umpleby captures Cremona crashing through a wave in 1913, displaying both her strength and vulnerability. The steam yacht Joyeuse also graces his collection with its timeless charm from 1914. Umpleby's lens transports us to different eras as we witness the motor yacht La Toquade at anchor in 1939 and observe White Heather and Shamrock racing downwind on their sleek sailing yachts. His work even takes us back to historic moments like Americas Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailing without topsail in 1914. Not limited to just yachts, Umpleby's talent extends to documenting incidents such as the hole torn in RMS Olympic's hull after colliding with HMS Hawke in the Solent during 1911. He also captures serene scenes like the steam yacht Surf at anchor in 1912 or the graceful motion of Sapphire under way in1920. From auxiliary schooners like La Cigale sailing close-hauled to smaller vessels like Lisette under sail, William Umpleby immortalizes these maritime wonders through his lens. Each photograph is a testament to his skillful eye for detail and ability to capture both grandeur and subtlety alike. Through William Umpleby's photographs, we are transported into a world where time stands still—a world where yachts glide effortlessly across vast oceans or rest peacefully at anchor; each image telling its own unique story of adventure, elegance, or resilience.