The Boats Sailing for the Cup Given by His Royal Highness, 23 July 1782, with a View of St. Paul's &c.

A photo-processed print of an aquatint drafted and published by Henry Williams in 1783. The print depicts a 1782 match for the Duke of Cumberland's Cup open to all pleasure-sailing boats within the British dominions. Thames pleasure sailing became an important pastime starting in 1780 with support from the Duke. The Duke's role in the sport was so great that the collector of this print, Arthur H. Clark, attributed the Duke as the 'Father of Yachting' in his book, 'History of Yachting.'

Numerous single-masted vessels emerge from under the bridge as spectators in long rowboats and on the bridge watch the race. The dome of St. Paul's Cathedral looms in the background.