Lady Edith

Design & Construction

Lady Edith was designed by Alfred Mylne and built by W. & R. B. Fife / W. Fife & Son at Fairlie, Scotland. She was constructed as yard number 703 and launched in June 1925. Built to the International 12 Metre Rule, Lady Edith reflects the refined craftsmanship and balanced proportions for which the Fife yard was renowned. She was originally completed as a gaff-rigged cutter, emphasizing traditional manual sailing and minimal mechanical assistance.

Early Ownership and Configuration (1925–1939)

Following her launch, Lady Edith was owned by Alfred Melson, with her home port in Greenock, Great Britain. An auxiliary engine was installed in 1925, reflecting evolving cruising and racing practices of the period. Over the following years, ownership passed through John Good, Major B. H. Piercy, Sir Robert Burton-Chadwick, Dr. Henri E. Lavielle, and E. Sparke-Davies.

In 1939, under Sparke-Davies, the yacht was renamed Kailua, re-rigged as an auxiliary sloop, and re-powered. Her home port at that time was Jersey, Channel Islands.

Post-War Modifications and Racing Era (1947–1964)

Following the Second World War, Kailua underwent further significant alterations. In 1947, the rig was changed to a Bermudan cutter, and the yacht was again re-powered. Ownership during this period included Major C. B. Thorne and later Lord Avebury. Additional engine work was carried out in 1953 and 1956, and the yacht carried a RORC rating of 39.17.

From 1953 to 1964, the yacht was owned by Sea Hawk Ltd., with home ports listed as London and Jersey. After this period, she disappeared from Lloyd’s Register, and her documented history becomes fragmented.

Years as Breitz Atao (c.1970–1993)

By around 1970, the yacht had been acquired by Jean-Pierre Cavalade of France and renamed Breitz Atao, with Nice as her port of registry. She was later based at Kuşadası Marina on the Turkish Aegean coast. During this period, the yacht fell into serious disrepair and was no longer actively maintained.

Restoration and Return to Original Form (2002–2004)

In the mid-1990s, Breitz Atao was purchased by Rahmi Koç of Turkey. After extensive research and planning, the yacht was transferred to RMK Marine, where a comprehensive restoration began in January 2002.

The refit was based on Beken of Cowes photographs, original Lloyd’s Register files, period scantling rules, and specialist rigging input from Mark Spencer. All non-original fittings were removed, most frames were renewed, the deck was completely rebuilt, sections of hull planking were replaced, and the sheer line was restored to its original profile. The yacht was returned to her original gaff-cutter rig, with historically accurate deck hardware designed for manual operation and without modern winches or fittings. The original Honduras mahogany interior joinery was carefully preserved and restored.

Lady Edith was re-launched in early 2003 and fully recommissioned for sailing by 2004.

Recent History

Now restored to her original identity as Lady Edith, the yacht is based in Tuzla, Istanbul. In 2008, she competed in the 48th Navy Cup in Istanbul, finishing third in the Classic Boat category, confirming both the quality of the restoration and her continued sailing capability.