James Lloyd Ashbury
Encyclopedia
James Lloyd Ashbury was a British
yachtsman and Conservative Party
politician.
of Manchester, James trained as an engineer and joined the family company. When his father died in 1866 he inherited the business and a considerable fortune. His health was effected by the polluted atmosphere of Manchester, and Ashbury moved to the coast, where he took up sailing. As he attempted to advance in society he took up competitive yachting.
to build a 188 ton schooner
, the Cambria. Ashbury had a highly successful racing season in 1869, winning the Round the Isle of Wight Race. He was appointed commodore of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club in 1870, having been elected a member in 1867.
Ashbury was encouraged by the success of the Cambria in the Isle of Wight race, in particular because the champion American schooner Sappho had finished in last place. In October 1868 Ashbury wrote to the New York Yacht Club
, offering to be the first challenger for the America's Cup
. He subsequently exchanged letters with Gordon Bennett
, sportsman and owner of the New York Herald
, challenging him to a trans-Atlantic race, prior to competing for the cup on behalf of the Royal Thames Yacht Club
.
In July 1870 he raced the Cambria across the Atlantic Ocean
from Ireland to New York
in challenge against Bennett's yacht, the Dauntless. The Cambria won the race by arriving first off Sandy Hook
lightship
in 23 days 5 hours and 17 minutes, 1 hour 43 minutes ahead of the Dauntless. The race for the America's Cup was held on 8 August, with the Cambria facing 14 yachts of the New York Yacht Club. The race was won by the Magic, with the Cambria finishing in eighth place. Ashbury stayed on to take part in the club cruise, and entertained the President of the United States
, Ulysses S. Grant
on his yacht.
The race, however, was involved in controversy. There was disagreement over the format of the competition, with Ashbury seeking legal advice. Eventually it was agreed that the first yacht to win four races would be the victor. The Livonia was opposed by Franklin Osgood's Columbia
. The Columbia won the first two races, although Ashbury claimed the second on a technicality. The Livonia won the third race with the Columbia being damaged. The Sappho was chosen to rreplace the Columbia to continue the challenge and subsequently won the next two races and thus defended the cup for the New York Club. Ashbury refused to accept the decision, claiming to have won two races to the Americans' three and declared that he would continue racing. As no challengers appeared he claimed the final two races and demanded the cup. He returned to the United Kingdom without the trophy accusing the New York Club of engaging in "unfair and unsportsmanlike proceedings". The club responded by returning a number of trophies he had donated in the previous year.
. When a general election was called in 1868
, he put himself forward as a parliamentary candidate, claiming to be responding to an "extensively signed requisition". He was adopted as candidate by the Conservative Party
, pledging to give "general but independent support" to the government of Disraeli. He called for "reform not revolution" and the provision of education for every man woman and child. He failed to be elected, with the Liberals holding both Brighton
seats.
He was again a candidate at the next general election in 1874
and on this occasion he was elected along with his fellow Conservative, Major-General Charles Cameron Shute
. He was only to serve a single term in the House of Commons as the Liberals regained the two Brighton seats at the next general election in 1880
.
.
Ashbury disappeared into obscurity. The newspapers of September 1895 reported that the body of an elderly "gentleman of no occupation" known as James Ashbury had been found in his London lodgings, having apparently taken his life with an overdose of chlorodyne
. It was several days before his identity emerged. He was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery
.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
yachtsman and Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician.
Early life
The son of John Ashbury, founder of the Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company LtdAshbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company Ltd
The Ashbury Carriage and Iron Company Limited was a manufacturer of railway rolling stock founded by John Ashbury in 1837 at Knott Mill in Manchester, England, near the original terminus of the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Railway...
of Manchester, James trained as an engineer and joined the family company. When his father died in 1866 he inherited the business and a considerable fortune. His health was effected by the polluted atmosphere of Manchester, and Ashbury moved to the coast, where he took up sailing. As he attempted to advance in society he took up competitive yachting.
The Cambria
In 1868 he commissioned Michael Ratsey of CowesCowes
Cowes is an English seaport town and civil parish on the Isle of Wight. Cowes is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east Bank...
to build a 188 ton schooner
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
, the Cambria. Ashbury had a highly successful racing season in 1869, winning the Round the Isle of Wight Race. He was appointed commodore of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club in 1870, having been elected a member in 1867.
Ashbury was encouraged by the success of the Cambria in the Isle of Wight race, in particular because the champion American schooner Sappho had finished in last place. In October 1868 Ashbury wrote to the New York Yacht Club
New York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ...
, offering to be the first challenger for the America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
. He subsequently exchanged letters with Gordon Bennett
James Gordon Bennett, Jr.
James Gordon Bennett, Jr. was publisher of the New York Herald, founded by his father, James Gordon Bennett, Sr., who emigrated from Scotland. He was generally known as Gordon Bennett to distinguish him from his father....
, sportsman and owner of the New York Herald
New York Herald
The New York Herald was a large distribution newspaper based in New York City that existed between May 6, 1835, and 1924.-History:The first issue of the paper was published by James Gordon Bennett, Sr., on May 6, 1835. By 1845 it was the most popular and profitable daily newspaper in the UnitedStates...
, challenging him to a trans-Atlantic race, prior to competing for the cup on behalf of the Royal Thames Yacht Club
Royal Thames Yacht Club
The Royal Thames Yacht Club is the oldest sailing club in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters are located at 60 Knightsbridge, London, England, overlooking Hyde Park....
.
In July 1870 he raced the Cambria across the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
from Ireland to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in challenge against Bennett's yacht, the Dauntless. The Cambria won the race by arriving first off Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook is a barrier spit along the Atlantic coast of New JerseySandy Hook may also refer to:-Places:United States* Sandy Hook , a village in the town of Newtown, Connecticut* Sandy Hook, Kentucky, a city in Elliott County...
lightship
Lightship
Lightship may refer to:* Lightvessel, a permanently moored ship that has light beacons mounted as navigational aids* Light displacement, a displacement figure that measures a ship complete in all respects, but without consumables, stores, cargo, crew, and effects*Lightship, a type of blimp operated...
in 23 days 5 hours and 17 minutes, 1 hour 43 minutes ahead of the Dauntless. The race for the America's Cup was held on 8 August, with the Cambria facing 14 yachts of the New York Yacht Club. The race was won by the Magic, with the Cambria finishing in eighth place. Ashbury stayed on to take part in the club cruise, and entertained the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
on his yacht.
The Livonia
Returning to England, Ashbury commissioned a new yacht from Michael Ratsey. The Livonia was based on the lines of the Sappho, and was launched on 6 April 1871. Ashbury took his new yacht across the Atlantic to once again challenge for the America's Cup, this time on behalf of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club.The race, however, was involved in controversy. There was disagreement over the format of the competition, with Ashbury seeking legal advice. Eventually it was agreed that the first yacht to win four races would be the victor. The Livonia was opposed by Franklin Osgood's Columbia
Columbia (1871 yacht)
Columbia was the successful defender of the second America's Cup race in 1871 against English challenger Livonia.-Design:Columbia, a wooden centerboard schooner, was designed and built in 1871 by Joseph B. Van Deusen in Chester, PA for owner Franklin Osgood of the New York Yacht...
. The Columbia won the first two races, although Ashbury claimed the second on a technicality. The Livonia won the third race with the Columbia being damaged. The Sappho was chosen to rreplace the Columbia to continue the challenge and subsequently won the next two races and thus defended the cup for the New York Club. Ashbury refused to accept the decision, claiming to have won two races to the Americans' three and declared that he would continue racing. As no challengers appeared he claimed the final two races and demanded the cup. He returned to the United Kingdom without the trophy accusing the New York Club of engaging in "unfair and unsportsmanlike proceedings". The club responded by returning a number of trophies he had donated in the previous year.
Member of parliament for Brighton
By the 1860s Ashbury was living in BrightonBrighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
. When a general election was called in 1868
United Kingdom general election, 1868
The 1868 United Kingdom general election was the first after passage of the Reform Act 1867, which enfranchised many male householders, thus greatly increasing the number of men who could vote in elections in the United Kingdom...
, he put himself forward as a parliamentary candidate, claiming to be responding to an "extensively signed requisition". He was adopted as candidate by the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
, pledging to give "general but independent support" to the government of Disraeli. He called for "reform not revolution" and the provision of education for every man woman and child. He failed to be elected, with the Liberals holding both Brighton
Brighton (UK Parliament constituency)
Brighton was a parliamentary constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 until it was divided into single-member seats from the United Kingdom general election, 1950...
seats.
He was again a candidate at the next general election in 1874
United Kingdom general election, 1874
-Seats summary:-References:* F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* British Electoral Facts 1832-1999, compiled and edited by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher *...
and on this occasion he was elected along with his fellow Conservative, Major-General Charles Cameron Shute
Charles Cameron Shute
General Sir Charles Cameron Shute was a British army officer and Conservative Party politician.-Early life:Charles Cameron Shute was the eldest son of Thomas Deane Shute of Fern Hill, Isle of Wight, and Bramshaw, Hampshire and his wife Charlotte née Cameron, daughter of General Neville Cameron of...
. He was only to serve a single term in the House of Commons as the Liberals regained the two Brighton seats at the next general election in 1880
United Kingdom general election, 1880
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* British Electoral Facts 1832-1999, compiled and edited by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher *...
.
Later life and death
Following the loss of his parliamentary seat, Ashbury pursued his business interests, which rapidly failed. He purchased a large sheep station on the South Island of New Zealand, but due to mismangement it became a major financial liability. He was unable to pay creditors and spent many years in the courts, eventually facing bankruptcyBankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
.
Ashbury disappeared into obscurity. The newspapers of September 1895 reported that the body of an elderly "gentleman of no occupation" known as James Ashbury had been found in his London lodgings, having apparently taken his life with an overdose of chlorodyne
Chlorodyne
Chlorodyne was the name for one of the most famous patent medicines sold in the British Isles. It was invented in the 19th century by a Dr. John Collis Browne, a doctor in the British Indian Army; its original purpose was in the treatment of cholera...
. It was several days before his identity emerged. He was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery is a cemetery in Kensal Green, in the west of London, England. It was immortalised in the lines of G. K. Chesterton's poem The Rolling English Road from his book The Flying Inn: "For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen; Before we go to Paradise by way of...
.