Meteor II Underway

watercolor, 23” x 20”

$3,500

In John Irving’s book "The King's Britannia," he described Meteor as "malice inspired, jealousy-endowed,” strong words indeed. He was referring of course to the German Emperor's insatiable desire to put one over his British cousin the Prince of Wales. At least he spares the designer, conceding that. "Watson had again done hi!? work well, for she was a beautiful ship in every way." In Britannia Watson had designed the "ideal" and certainly not exploited the Length and Sail Area Rule for all certainly must have known it was worth. Perhaps his Royal client had something to do with that. In Meteor he produced under the new Linear Rating Rule a boat with around 2000 square feet more sail area on a deeper hull of less displacement; a Britannia beater no doubt and just what the Kaiser ordered!