Brand IV

Design and Construction

Brand IV was launched in 1909 as a 12-Metre yacht designed by the renowned Norwegian naval architect Johan Anker, built by his yard Anker & Jensen in Norway. The original owner was Dr. R. van Rees of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the boat’s original homeport is listed as Amsterdam. The hull is noted in the class register as a Design #82.

Racing Career

Brand IV brought significant success to Johan Anker, contributing to his reputation as a master designer of metre-class yachts. Her competitive performance in early Northern European regattas is documented in historical sources on Anker’s work.

Later History

Over her lifetime Brand IV changed names and ownership several times. Registry records list her other names as Isla II, Dora III, Ragna III, Elmari II and Solveig I. The yacht is listed in late-era class records as “Brand IV / ex-Isla II / ex-Dora III” and is considered one of the surviving early First-Rule 12 Metres.

Significance

Brand IV is historically important as one of the early 12-Metre yachts designed by Johan Anker, a designer whose work had lasting influence on the metre-class and Onshore naval architecture. Her lineage and survival make her a valuable link to the early era of metre-racing and yacht design.