3-043-847 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new schooner yacht Livonia, 1871. Yacht built for James Ashbury by Ratsey, of Cowes. 'The Livonia has during the last fortnight made her first appearance as a competing vessel in match-sailing, but cannot be expected to have yet found her most effective racing trim. Her first performance was from Southend to Harwich, where she came in first; but her time allowance to the smaller yachts disqualified her from taking the principal prize...In the present week she has been entered to compete in three matches on the Thames - those of the Royal London Yacht Club, the Royal Thames Yacht Club, and the New Thames Yacht Club, winning the first prize in the latter. The Livonia is a noble vessel, built expressly by her owner to compete with the American yachts, the New York Yacht Club having just accepted his challenge to sail against any one of them for the cup won from us in England by the famous America, in 1851. This cup Mr. Ashbury hopes to recover in October next. The Livonia is furnished with a magnificent suit of American cotton sails, by Mr. Charles Ratsey'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.