Ailsa and Britannia racing at the Royal Clyde Yacht Club Regatta

Britannia was designed by George L. Watson, and built at Hendersons on the Clyde for King Edward VII in 1893. She underwent numerous re-fits, eventually being modified to the American Universal Rule to allow her to race against the J-Class boats, which were becoming so popular. The 1935 sailing season was to be one of the best for the J-Boat class at club regattas in the United Kingdom, with 8 yachts entered to compete, including the American J-Boat Yankee, and the American schooner Westward. This was Britannia's forty-second season of active racing, and for King George Vs Jubilee year she had been completely refurbished in an attempt to make her competitive with the newer J-Boats. She had her copper bottom removed, a new metal mast and boom, a double headsail rig, rod rigging and a centerboard added.