Oil on canvas
17 1/2” x 35 1/2” (45 cm x 90 cm)

Topaze was a wooden steam frigate with a screw propeller. Her armament was one 68pounder and twenty 32pounders. Topaze was launched May 12; 1858 This vessel is noted as the ship that brought the Easter Island statue back to the British Museum.

The background of the painting shows the Schooner-Yacht America on the right (identifiable by it’s distinctive shape; and by the blue swallow tailed pennant with white stars) winning the original America's cup in 1851.

The distant second place yacht; likely the cutter Aurora; is shown in the far right background.

To the left is the 223 foot royal yacht; Victoria and Albert; a paddle wheel driven steam yacht built in 1843 and replaced in 1855 by the Victoria and Albert II.

Placing the Topaze in the middle of this historic event is obviously artistic licence since she was not launched until seven years after the race and three years after the retirement of the Victoria and Albert.

As the American schooner passed the Royal Yacht in first position; and saluted by dipping its ensign three times; Queen Victoria asked one of her attendants to tell her who was in second place. Your Majesty; there is no second; came the reply. That phrase; just four words; is still the best description of the America's Cup; and how it represents the singular pursuit of excellence.