Lot Essay
British yacht racing grew apace after America's celebrated win at Cowes in 1851 (see lot 653) and was then even further stimulated by the first trans-Atlantic race in December 1866. Doubtlessly influenced by the pre-race interest generated by this latter event, numerous yachts were launched in 1866, one of which was Captain Hughes's Vanguard. Designed and built by M.E. Ratsey at Cowes, she was measured at 61 tons (Thames) and was 68 feet in length with a 14½ foot beam.
Vanguard's first season of 1867 was one of her best and, after an unfortunate start at the Royal Thames match (when Captain Hughes complained about the use of spinnakers without realising the Club had changed its rules to allow them), she went on to win the Royal Yacht Squadron's cutter race in memorably wild weather. To finish her maiden season in style, she then won the Queen's Cup at the Royal Western Regatta at Plymouth, a "notable match" according to the spectators. She also did well in 1870, winning five first prizes and one second, whilst in 1871 - by then owned by Mr. W. Turner - she took the first prize of the Season at the Royal Thames meeting. In fact, Vanguard was judged "crack cutter" of that year and earned the same title in 1872 when she won ten firsts and four seconds out of twenty-one starts.
Extensively altered and re-rigged as a yawl by Hutchings at Teignmouth in 1883, she was subsequently acquired by the Duke of Abercorn who renamed her Lohengrin some years before her disappearance from record about 1900.
Vanguard's first season of 1867 was one of her best and, after an unfortunate start at the Royal Thames match (when Captain Hughes complained about the use of spinnakers without realising the Club had changed its rules to allow them), she went on to win the Royal Yacht Squadron's cutter race in memorably wild weather. To finish her maiden season in style, she then won the Queen's Cup at the Royal Western Regatta at Plymouth, a "notable match" according to the spectators. She also did well in 1870, winning five first prizes and one second, whilst in 1871 - by then owned by Mr. W. Turner - she took the first prize of the Season at the Royal Thames meeting. In fact, Vanguard was judged "crack cutter" of that year and earned the same title in 1872 when she won ten firsts and four seconds out of twenty-one starts.
Extensively altered and re-rigged as a yawl by Hutchings at Teignmouth in 1883, she was subsequently acquired by the Duke of Abercorn who renamed her Lohengrin some years before her disappearance from record about 1900.