Xyris Class Historic Sailing Yacht
Gadwall is the last of six Xyris yachts, built by Camper & Nicholson in their heyday, to the IRC 6 meter rule and to comply with Lloyd’s + 15 R requirements in 1939 and commissioned in 1945.
C&N yard number 476.
Her hull is carvel constructed from Mahogany and Oak. With a deck and coach roof of Tongued-Red pine, her toe rails and doors are Teak and keel is English Elm blasted with lead.
Gadwalls’ Mast and Boom are the original, hollow pine mast and a solid boom. She retains her original screw roller reefing system and her original winch and handles.
Her sail wardrobe includes an original suit by Rattsey & Lapthorn from the 40’s, including a very early spinnaker and a new suite of triple stitched bronze hanked sails again from Ratsey’s.
Sail Area 357 sq.
LOA 30 feet
LWL 23 feet
Beam 8 feet
Draft 4 feet 6 inches
Tons™ 7 (4.25 tones)
The six Xyris Class yachts were laid up in 1939 at the original Camper and Nicholson Gosport Yard. Then as the Second World War descended across Europe Camper and Nicholson put aside pleasure and leisure craft to assist with the War effort.
Gosport was bombed heavily during the war and it is a miracle and testament to the resolve of the men of the yard, that after the war all 6 Xyris class were commissioned and launched.
Gadwall was originally commissioned for Oliver Hook just before the War and was not completed till November 1946 whereupon she first entered Loyd Register of 1947 A1 and remained A1 until the late 80’s.
From her early commission Gadwall, like all her sisters moved through history touching and playing her role in the zeitgiest.
In 1948 she was purchased by William Lawrence Stephenson, he was 68 at the time and stepped down from founding Woolworths and challenging the Americas Cup with his J Valsheda, W.L. Stephenson sailed Gadwall for over 5 years.
At the same time, W.L Stephenson’s great friend C.E Nicholson owned her Sister “Cinder” Later to be named “Ellen Sophia” Which Charles Nicholson and His Daughter sailed against Gadwall regularly for many years.
Later Historic Owners would include David Latner Trainer ( of Farleys Rusk’s Fame ) , an MC and MBE holder, Famous Authors, an early Animal Welfare Champion and a Film Maker.
Gadwall like many other classic wooden yachts was lost for many years, laying on Roa Island after a stalled restoration. However, during this time she was completely refastened with silicon bronze screws and copper rovings used in areas below the waterline.
She was left fallow until 2016 when a collective from Hayling Island took on the herculean task of restoring her and bringing her back to glory.
From going back into the water in 2019 Gadwall’s restoration maintained her period features and the continued work focuses on her originality and ensuring she sails constantly and competes in the future.