Beneteau Oceanis 44 Central Cockpit

Lord Dunraven had no hesitation when he decided to issue his second challenge; he immediately turned to George Lennox Watson and gave him carte blanche to design his new challenger. Watson was determined to win. To achieve his objective, his inspiration came largely from ideas developed by the Americans: wide beam, full lines, composite construction.

Valkyrie III was built by the D. & W. Henderson & Co. yard at Partick on the Clyde. Her frames were in steel, with wooden planking. She was given a steel mast. Launched in May 1895, Valkyrie III had her ballast increased after her first trials against Britannia.