James Lloyd Ashbury (1834 – 3 September 1895) was a British yachtsman and Conservative Party politician.
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The son of John Ashbury, founder of the Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company Ltd 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.[1] 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.[1]
In 1868 he commissioned Michael Ratsey of Cowes 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.[2] He was appointed commodore of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club in 1870, having been elected a member in 1867.[2]
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.[3] In October 1868 Ashbury wrote to the New York Yacht Club, offering to be the first challenger for the America's Cup.[4] 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.[5] 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.[2][6][7] 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.[1] Ashbury stayed on to take part in the club cruise, and entertained the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant on his yacht.[8]
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.[9] 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. 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.[1]
By the 1860s Ashbury was living in Brighton. 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".[10] 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.[11] 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.[1] 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.
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 mismanagement it became a major financial liability. He was unable to pay creditors and spent many years in the courts, eventually facing bankruptcy.[1]
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.[12] It was several days before his identity emerged.[13][14][15] He was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.[16]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Henry Fawcett and James White |
Member of Parliament for Brighton 1874-1880 With: Charles Cameron Shute |
Succeeded by John Robert Hollond and William Thackeray Marriott |