Sail Number:
Type: Gaff-rigged ketch
LOA: 100′ 0″ / 30.48m – LOD: 84′ 0″ / 25.6m – LWL: 61′ 0″ / 18.60m – Beam: 17′ 4″ / 5.28m – Draft: 10′ 2″ / 3.10m – Displacement: 68 Tons – Original Owner: Kenneth MacKenzie-Clark, Acharacle, Argyllshire Glasgow – Year Launched: 04/06/1923 – Designed by: William Fife III – Built by: William Fife & Sons – Yard Number: 707 – Hull Material: Teak/pine on oak frames – Former name(s): – ON: 147859 – Engine: Yanmar 4LH-DTE 140bhp, 1994
Historical:
The name Kentra – Derived from a small township near Acharacle (Although only originally owned for one year, the name Kentra lasted for 3/4 of a century.)
Sandeman – Like many traditional sailing vessels from the early 20th century KENTRA’s fortunes have ebbed and flowed throughout her life. She was built for Scottish industrialist Kenneth MacKenzie-Clark, whose son, also Kenneth, later art historian and noted broadcaster, famous for his “Civilisation” series of programmes probably sailed her more than his father. Completed in just six months she was launched in 1923 and within a year Charles Livingstone whose family founded the Cunard shipping line, bought her both to race and cruise. Under his ownership she flew the White Ensign of the Royal Yacht Squadron and became a worthy mother ship to smaller yacht class races in which many of his own designs participated. Later she led a relaxed and convivial existence in the Scottish west coast waters. In old age Livingston sold her to shipowner Barclay Hogarth, who kept her in pristine condition; albeit sailing little until his death; thereafter in 1952 she passed to Charles Brassey Thorne. Converting her to a stem head Bermuda ketch, he took her to the Mediterranean. There her beauty appealed to all and during this phase she attracted numerous distinguished and glamorous guests, including the Infanta Christina of Spain, Brigitte Bardot and Errol Flynn.
And God Created Woman
(1956) is a French drama film directed by Roger Vadim and starring Brigitte Bardot. Though not her first film, it is widely recognized as the vehicle that launched Bardot into the public spotlight and immediately created her “sex kitten” persona, making her an overnight sensation.
When the film was released in the United States by distributor Kingsley-International Pictures in 1957, it pushed the boundaries of the representation of sexuality in American cinema, and most available prints of the film were heavily edited to conform with the prevailing censorial standards of 1957.
An English-language remake also titled And God Created Woman was directed by Vadim and released in 1988.
When Charles Brassey moved ashore, she was to pass through several other hands, whether to sail in the Med or the Caribbean, eventually returning to the UK. Here she was to lie dormant for many years with refit and restoration in mind but truth to tell, very long in coming. Bought by the current owner in 1992, in 1993 he commissioned Fairlie Restorations to undertake the major rebuild which was to give her a completely new lease of life. The rebuild itself is a notable story, the full details of which are on record. Suffice to say here that her resurrection by a team of outstanding craftsmen with her original plans at their disposal, has resulted in the most magnificent example of the state of their art.
Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Notable Guest, and Reunion Information:
Owner: (1923-1924) – Kenneth MacKenzie-Clark
Owner: (1924-1936) – Charles Livingstone, Howbeck Road, Oxton, Birkenhead. (Royal Yacht Squadron) Cunard shipping line
Owner: (1936-1951) – Barclay Hogarth, Croy, Shandon, Dumbartonshire
Owner: (1951-1952) – Unknown Dutchman
Owner: (1952-1958) – Major Charles Brassey Thorne, re-rigged stemhead Bermuda ketch, removed bowsprit. Chartered boat in Palma and Cannes
Royalty: Infanta Christina, is the younger daughter of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía. As of 2015 she is sixth in the line of succession to the Spanish throne, after her brother King Felipe VI’s children, her sister Elena, and Elena’s children.
Actress: Brigitte Bardo
Actor: Errol Flynn
Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Cowpland (former owner of Belle Adventure) rescued vessel after Hurricane Donna, major refit in Antiqua
Owner: (1963-1970) Robert Debled-Florin, Brussels, Belgium. (Home port – Palma de Mallorca)
Owner: (1987) laid up at Shamrock Quay, Clynder for sale
Owner: (1990-1992) Vince di Domenica, rescued vessel, minor restoration by McGruer & Company at Rosneath
Owner: (1992-present) Ernst Klaus, acquired at auction in 1993 the owner commissioned Fairlie Restorations to undertake the major rebuild which was to give her a completely new lease of life. The rebuild itself is a notable story, the full details of which are on record. Suffice to say here that her resurrection by a team of outstanding craftsmen with her original plans at their disposal, has resulted in the most magnificent example of the state of their art.
