All of the 6 Xyris class yachts have a history that is peppered with intrigue , adventure and the owners list reads like a peerage book of the influential, rich and famous.
471 CINDER nae. ELLEN SOPHIA ( 77Y )
Cinder was kept by C.E Nicholson from her commission and sailed extensively by the family. Especially with Charles’s Daughter and against Gadwall for sport.
At some point in the 80’s she found herself renamed Ellen Sophia and in the hands of Mr Inkster of Roa Island Club, meaning that there were 3 Xyris Class sailing or present in the waters around this club in the 70’s and into the late 80’s.
Ellen Sophia is currently in France where she is receiving a fairly extensive restoration.
472 SEADRAKE. nae. LAETTE
Seadrake is in an unknown condition, we believe the last record was laying Titchmarsh Marina. We are attempting to establish her condition and some more history.
473 XYRIS nae. FIDGET
Xyris was the first of the 6 sisters to be completed, and was planked up during the yard visit by Yachting Monthly at the start of the year of 1939.
Xyris first owner, J.F. Lapthorn, Author of the Plymouth Boys Brigade History, had the boat feature in the 1946 yachting year publication.
She was launched and sailed the summer and reportedly went on to win the Island Sailing Clubs Jubilee Race against a reported large and varied field.
Xyris was bought and renamed by the Fidget Syndicate, in late 1963, who sailed her up until her sinking off Bolt Head in 1985.
We hold a completed report of the insurance claim and a covering letter from the syndicate.
474 ROSALIA nae. LADY OF KENT ( 27Y )
Rosalia was renamed Lady of Kent , subsequently she was famously painted by Charles Eddowes Turner, renowned for his painting of the classic Liner Posters.
The Lady of Kent was sailed from 1947 to 1960 by Wilfred Neale and his wife and family, in 1997 she was reported to have only had 3 previous owners.
She was sailed around the Baltic and competed in various Lloyds Class B races.
The Lady of Kent is fondly remembered to this day by the descendants of Wilfred and his Wife.
A substantial restoration was carried out in 1997 and she was sold around that time after being advertised for £20,000, laying at the South Dock Marina, Rope Street, London.
Rosalia is currently laying St Just-in_Roseland and we are keen to establish her condition and some more history.
475 TWINK nae. AMPERE ( 7Y )
Twink maintained her name up until her recent purchase and refurbishment, bringing her up to concourse standard, racing and winning as Ampere.
She enjoyed extensive sailing as Twink as well as notoriously going missing ono ne of her early voyages, as reported in several newspapers at the time.
Twink was commissioned by Peter Hellyer, a 24-year-old pilot of the Air Fleet Arm and he was sailing out of Lulworth Cove, on the 3rd of May 1946 believed to be heading for Brixham Harbour.
Hellyer was presumed lost almost immediately and an alarm raised. The RAF sent out rescue planes, and the navy dispatched a frigate, the Burgh Head Bay. Over two days, the aircraft flew more than 5000 miles, and the frigate covered 500 miles. Neither of their crews saw a thing and the search was called off on the assumption – or hope – that Hellyer had reached a French port or was heading north to Yorkshire.
Twink and Hellyer re-appeared on the 10th at St Peters Bay, oblivious and bemused by the excitement surrounding him, he had simply sailed out to Gurnsey and spent the weekend there.
Twink was subsequently owned by the Film Actor Peter Finch, immortalised for his rendition in Network winning him an Oscar for Best Actor.
Currently Ampere is enjoying great success racing and competing in classic events.
Copyright: © Chris Brown 2020
476 GADWALL ( 64Y )
The last of the Xyris sisters and the only one to retain her original name.
Gadwall was given the sail 64Y in 1946 under Oliver Hooks ownership.