Yankee, Astra and Candida cross tacking in the Solent

Yankee was built for Gerard B. Lambert of Boston by G. Lawley at Neponset, Massachusetts, in 1930. Designed by Paine, Belknap & Skene, she was classed as a sloop but was extensively refitted to comply with the prevailing J-class rules when her owner accepted an invitation to race her at Cowes in the 1935 season. As it was King George V's Silver Jubilee that year, Cowes attracted an even greater throng than usual of notable yachts and there were many memorable races, not least the spectacle above, to reward the spectators.

Candida and Astra were both designed by Charles Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson at Gosport in 1929 and 1928 respectively. Both carried the new Bermudian rig extensively throughout the 1930's and survived the Second World War.