‘Viking’, Bailey’s Masterpiece, 1914

Viking is the largest surviving early racing yacht in New Zealand. Designed and built in 1893 by Bailey’s Boatbuilders Auckland for the wealthy Bloomfield brothers, Jack, Harry and Ernest and for more than 40 years was the largest yacht in New Zealand. She is widely regarded as Bailey’s Masterpiece.

The painting depicts Viking in full flight smoking past North Head in 1914. She is pinching up into a fresh south westerly breeze. The Logan designed and built launch Doreen is rounding up into the wind allowing the famous Auckland yachting photographer Henry Winkelmann to take a photo.