James Ashbury Esq. was probably one of the most colourful characters to be a member of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club throughout its entire history. Elected as a member on May 8th, 1867, he rapidly made his mark and was Commodore by 1870. In that year he raced his Schooner the 'Cambria' across the Atlantic from Ireland to New York in challenge against Gordon-Bennett's Schooner yacht the 'Dauntless'. Sailing under Royal Harwich colours the 'Cambria' arrived first off Sandy Hook light ship; thus winning the race. "A piece of plate" was accordingly given to Ashbury by Gordon- Bennett in the form of a most extravagant silver cup. The main purpose of the Atlantic crossing, however, was to challenge for the America's Cup, which the 'Cambria' did under Royal Thames colours, Ashbury's other club. The following year, 1871, Ashbury again challenged for the America's Cup with his new Schooner yacht the 'Livonia', this time through the Royal Harwich. He failed in his bid, and as now seems normal for this event, his defeat was accompanied by the usual acrimony as is born out by his persistent correspondence with the New York Yacht Club which was published for the Royal Harwich as "Ashbury's Reply" in 1872 as well as by Lawson's History of the America's Cup written a little later.

Early in 1872, Ashbury resigned as Commodore of the Royal Harwich, not as a result of any ill-feeling over the America's Cup challenges, but due to his lack of time to reach Harwich regularly and his acceptance of a similar position with the Royal London, a club nearer his home. During his short yet meteoric rise to yachting fame with the Royal Harwich, he generously supported the Club with donations of five fine oil paintings of the 'Cambria', 'Dauntless' and 'Livonia' as well as the Atlantic Trophy which he had won in 1870. Subsequently he kindly agreed to swap the cup for five hundred pounds worth of Mexican Railway Bonds, which the Club converted into shares in a Venezuelan Railway Company in 1880. After various turns of fortune, these shares were eventually sold to enable the Club to re-purchase another trophy, the 'Amazon's` Cup in the 1950s. As a gesture of appreciation for his generosity, the Royal Harwich elected Ashbury as an honorary member in 1890.

Although James Ashbury was a man of considerable presence, being impressive both in physique and beard, he was not a fit man. Wealthy as the son of a successful civil engineer, he took up yachting partly to restore his health. He quickly developed an enthusiasm for the sport matched by his pocket, and despite his relatively short active association with the Club, his contribution to the Royal Harwich was considerable. In the 1890s he retired to his Brighton home. In 1895 he moved to London where he died the same year in unfortunate circumstances, not entirely appropriate to his prowess as a yachtsman and gentleman.