Westward Wins

This magnificent painting shows Westward leading the 'Big Class' on the Solent, one of the most challenging stretches of coastline for sailing.
The 323-ton Westward was built by Nat Herreshoff on Rhode Island in 1910 for Alexander Cochran.  She was initially commanded by one of the most famous racing skippers of all time, Captain Charlie Barr. Alexander Cochran was an avid yachtsman, and had already owned several exceptional yachts. He was inspired to approach Nathanael Herreshoff to build his new schooner because of the performance of the Americas Cup contender, Defender. ‘Captain Nat’ Herreshoff is now perhaps the best known of all American yacht builders.

Captain Barr declared at the launching of the 160ft schooner, “She’s a wonder”. The press celebrated her launch as “the new Herreshoff Flyer”. Only a month after her launch, she sailed to Europe to challenge the world’s most formidable schooners in their back yard . She won all 11 of her starts during her first season. Westward was purchased by T B Davis in 1924 and with her huge sail area, she took some beating. In July 2010, the inaugural Westward Cup Regatta was held on the Solent. This was organised by three of most prestigious yacht clubs in the world, namely the Royal Yacht Squadron, the New York Yacht Club and Yacht Club de Monaco. Initiated by the owner of Eleonora, a replica of Westward, the event replicated the style, class and atmosphere of the period when Westward and the Big Class yachts first raced in Cowes, the birthplace of elegant racing during the 1920s and 30s.

Each print is hand numbered and accompanied by a certificate signed by the Master Printer. The certificate is numbered to match the print.