River Solent Collection

1st Earl of Birkenhead with his daughter on board their yacht, (Isle of Wight?), c1925
Frederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead (1872-1930) with his daughter Lady Pamela Smith Berry, Baroness Hartwell (1915-1982) on board their yacht, (Isle of Wight?), c1925

German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, 1937. The Graf Spee attending the Fleet Review for the coronation of King George VI at Spithead, Hampshire

The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing on a broad reach, August 1912. Creator
The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing on a broad reach, August 1912. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874

Spectators watching yachts at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Spectators watching yachts at Cowes, Isle of Wight

Bloodhound at anchor with flags, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Bloodhound at anchor with flags, 1912. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874. Owned by the Marquis of Ailsa she had a successful racing career

Bloodhound at anchor with flags, August 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Bloodhound at anchor with flags, August 1912. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874

The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing downwind with spinnaker, 1911. Creator
The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing downwind with spinnaker, 1911. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874

The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing in light winds, 1908. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874

View of Spring Hill, Cowes, Isle of Wight, c1930. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
View of Spring Hill, Cowes, Isle of Wight, c1930. Spring Hill is an estate on the Isle of Wight containing the large landmark manor house of the same name

Bloodhound at anchor with flags, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Bloodhound at anchor with flags, 1913. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874. Owned by the Marquis of Ailsa she had a successful racing career

The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing close-hauled, leaves wake, 1911. Creator
The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing close-hauled, leaves wake, 1911. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874

Cowes Castle, Isle of Wight, c1930. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Cowes Castle, Isle of Wight, c1930. The clubhouse of the Royal Yacht Squadron

Bloodhound at anchor with prize flags, 1909. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Bloodhound at anchor with prize flags, 1909. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874

The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing close-hauled, August 1911. Creator
The gaff rigged cutter Bloodhound sailing close-hauled, August 1911. The 40 ton cutter, Bloodhound was designed by William Fife and built in 1874

Ryde, c1896. Artist: FN Broderick
Ryde, c1896. From Pictorial England and Wales. [Cassell and Company, Limited, London, Paris & Melbourne, c1896]

Ryde, Isle of Wight, 1814-1825. Artist: William Daniell
Ryde, Isle of Wight, 1814-1825. From A Voyage Around Great Britain Undertaken between the Years 1814 and 1825 by William Daniell

Spithead, c1880. Artist: W. P
Spithead, c1880. From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. III, by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris & New York, c1880]

Southampton - The Platform, 1895. From Round the Coast. [George Newnes Limited, London, 1895]

Southampton - The Western Shore, 1895. From Round the Coast. [George Newnes Limited, London, 1895]

Southampton - The Pier, 1895. From Round the Coast. [George Newnes Limited, London, 1895]

Lymington - The Bridge and the Town, From the River, 1895. From Round the Coast. [George Newnes Limited, London, 1895]

Southsea - General View of the Beach, 1895. From Round the Coast. [George Newnes Limited, London, 1895]

Portsmouth Harbour, c1900. Artist: Alfred John West
Portsmouth Harbour, c1900. Portsmouth Harbour is a large natural harbour in Hampshire, England. Photographic llusrtation from Sights and Scenes in England and Wales. [Cassell and Company Ltd. c1900]

Calshot Castle, 1859. An artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII on the Calshot Spit, Hampshire, England, between 1539 and 1540. To protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire

The Turret Armour-Clad Ship Devastation at Spithead, 1873 (1906)
The Turret Armour-Clad Ship Devastation at Spithead on the Occasion of the Naval Review in Honour of the Shah of Persias Visit, 23 June, 1873, 1906. From Cassells Illustrated History of England, Vol

The Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert III, 1937. The Royal Yacht at the Fleet Review in honour of the coronation of King George VI at Spithead, Hampshire. Victoria and Albert III entered service in 1901

Royal Yacht passing the battleship HMS Nile, Coronation Review, Spithead, Hampshire, 1902. Stereoscopic card detail

A salute by the Home Fleet, 1907 (1908). Artist: Queen Alexandra
A salute by the Home Fleet, 1907 (1908). This salute was offered to King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as they were passing in HMS Dreadnought

Southampton, Hampshire, 19th century. Artist: E Finden
Southampton, Hampshire, 19th century

Osborne House from the Solent, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, 1900. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne House and its estate from Lady Isabella Blachford in 1845

Hurst Castle, Portsmouth, 1860. Artist: W Mossman
Hurst Castle, Portsmouth, 1860. Hurst Castle is one of Henry VIIIs Device Forts built at the end of a long shingle spit at the west end of the Solent to guard the approaches to Portsmouth

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"Captivating Moments on the River Solent: A Glimpse into Isle of Wight's Maritime History" Step back in time to c1925, as the 1st Earl of Birkenhead gracefully sails down the River Solent aboard his yacht, accompanied by his daughter. The picturesque Isle of Wight serves as a stunning backdrop for this enchanting scene. Meanwhile, spectators gather at Cowes, Isle of Wight, eagerly watching yachts glide through the waters. Kirk & Sons of Cowes capture this lively atmosphere with their skilled lens, immortalizing the excitement and beauty that surrounds these sailing events. In 1912, Bloodhound majestically anchors in the river with flags fluttering proudly above her deck. This magnificent vessel becomes a symbol of power and elegance against an azure sky. August brings another momentous occasion as Bloodhound once again graces the river with her presence; her regal aura enhanced by vibrant flags waving in harmony with gentle breezes. The year is now 1911 when Bloodhound showcases her prowess while sailing downwind with a spinnaker unfurled—a sight that leaves viewers awestruck. In contrast, we witness her navigating light winds in 1908; every sail meticulously adjusted to harness even the slightest breath from Mother Nature. Spring Hill stands tall along Cowes' shoreline during c1930—an idyllic spot where one can soak up breathtaking views over the River Solent. Kirk & Sons expertly capture this tranquil haven amidst bustling maritime activities. Bloodhound continues to leave an indelible mark on history throughout different years—her resplendent figure anchored alongside prize flags flying high in 1913 and skillfully maneuvering close-hauled while creating mesmerizing wakes in 1911. Cowes Castle completes our journey through time—a majestic structure standing proud on Isle of Wight's landscape since c1930. Its grandeur reflects centuries of maritime heritage and the enduring allure of the River Solent.