Britannia in her heyday.
A relic of British maritime history returns to Cowes on Monday, nearly 40 years after making headlines around the world.
The Uffa Fox designed Britannia was the first boat to be rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Owner John Fairfax completed the 5,300 mile journey in 6 months, in 1969. It remains the longest ever single-handed Atlantic row in history. Britannia will take pride of place at this year’s Cowes Week, where there will be an attempt to row around the Island. On 3 March, Britannia will make the journey from Christchurch (near Southampton) to the Isle of Wight, via a Red Funnel ferry sailing. She'll be welcomed by Ian Lallow. His family's Cowes-based Lallows Yard created her.