30' Nicholson Xyris Class Sloop (1939) - GADWALL

Recently restored 1939 30′ Xyris Class Sloop by Camper and Nicholson. Owned and sailed by W.L Stephenson.

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.

Still with her original boom and mast, as well as interior detail as was in 1946.

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.

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.