YACHTING
BY
R. T. PRITCHETT
THE MARQUIS OF DUFFERIN AND AVA, K.P.
JAMES McFERRAN
REV. G. L. BLAKE, T. B. MIDDLETON
EDWARD WALTER CASTLE AND ROBERT CASTLE
G. CHRISTOPHER DAVIES, LEWIS HERRESHOFF
THE EARL OF ONSLOW, G.C.M.G., H. HORN
SIR GEORGE LEACH, K.C.B., Vice-President Y.R.A.
IN TWO VOLUMES—VOL. II.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY R. T. PRITCHETT
AND FROM PHOTOGRAPHS
LONDON
LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.
1894
All rights reserved
CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME
- CHAPTER PAGE
- Royal Yachts and English Yacht Clubs
By R. T. Pritchett, Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, K.P., James McFerran, and Rev. G. L. Blake. [1] - Scottish Clubs
By R. T. Pritchett and Rev. G. L. Blake. [72] - Irish Clubs
By R. T. Pritchett, Rev. G. L. Blake, and T. B. Middleton. [99] - The Thames Clubs and Windermere
By Edward Walter Castle, Robert Castle, and R. T. Pritchett. [152] - Yachting on the Norfolk Broads
By G. Christopher Davies. [190] - Yachting in America
By Lewis Herreshoff. [227] - Yachting in New Zealand
By the Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G. [287] - Foreign and Colonial Yachting
By R. T. Pritchett and Rev. G. L. Blake. [304] - Some Famous Races
By R. T. Pritchett. [324] - Racing in a 40-Rater in 1892
By R. T. Pritchett. [332] - Yacht Racing in 1893
By H. Horn. [349] - The American Yachting Season of 1893
By Lewis Herreshoff. [400] - The America Cup Races, 1893
By Sir George Leach, K.C.B., Vice-President Y.R.A. [416]
ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE SECOND VOLUME
(Reproduced by J. D. Cooper and Messrs. Walker & Boutall)
FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS
| ARTIST | TO FACE PAGE | |
| Old Flags | R. T. Pritchett | [Frontispiece] |
| Her Majesty the Queen going to Scotland | " | [6] |
| The Royal Yacht 'Victoria and Albert,' 1843 | " | [8] |
| 'Pearl,' 'Falcon,' and 'Waterwitch' | " | [12] |
| 'Mystery' winning the Cup presented by R.Y.S. to R.T.Y.C. | " | [14] |
| 'Corsair,' R.Y.S., winning the Queen's Cup at Cowes, 1892 | " | [16] |
| Yacht Club Burgees | Club Card | [48] |
| 'Irex' | From a photograph by Adamson | [58] |
| 'Yarana' | " | [64] |
| 'Arrow,' Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, 1876 | R. T. Pritchett | [68] |
| 'Reverie' | From a photograph | [70] |
| Northern Yacht Club cruising off Garroch Head, 1825 | From a painting by Hutcheson | [76] |
| Royal Northern Yacht Club, Rothesay | From a photograph by Secretary | [78] |
| The Start for Ardrishaig Cup | From a photograph by Adamson | [84] |
| 'Marjorie' | " | [86] |
| 'May' | " | [88] |
| 'Thistle' | " | [90] |
| 'Lenore' | " | [92] |
| 'Verve' | " | [94] |
| Yacht Club Flags | [104] | |
| 'Erycina' | From a photograph by Adamson | [106] |
| Royal Irish Yacht Club Cup, Kingstown, 1873 | From a picture by Admiral Beechy | [108] |
| Mermaids of Dublin Bay Sailing Club | [146] | |
| Start of 25-Tonners, R.T.Y.C., from Greenwich, 1848 | R. T. Pritchett | [170] |
| 'Decima' | From a photograph by Symonds | [176] |
| 'Gimcrack' | R. T. Pritchett | [240] |
| Model Room of New York Yacht Club | From a photograph sent by Secretary N.Y.Y.C. | [242] |
| 'Black Maria,' sloop, beating 'America,' schooner, in Test Race, New York, 1850 | Sent by Mr. Stevens of Hoboken, New York | [244] |
| International Race, 1886; 'Galatea' passing Sandy Hook Lightship | Photograph sent by Lieutenant W. Henn, R.N. | [258] |
| 'Volunteer' | From a photograph sent by General Paine, N.Y.Y.C. | [262] |
| 'Valkyrie' | From a photograph by Adamson | [308] |
| 'Yseult' | " | [328] |
| 'Iverna' and 'Meteor,' dead heat in the Clyde, July 4, 1892 | " | [330] |
| 'Queen Mab' | " | [346] |
| 'Samœna' | " | [352] |
ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT
| Varuna, Vendetta, and Lais (Vignette) | [Title-page] | |
| Dutch Yacht. (From drawing by Vandervelde, dated 1640) | R. T. Pritchett | [2] |
| 'Een Bezan Jagt,' 1670 | " | [3] |
| Lines of Cutter, 1781 | From Stalkart's 'Naval Architecture' | [4] |
| Yacht Stern, 1781 | " | [5] |
| Cowes Castle. (From drawing by Loutherburg) | R. T. Pritchett | [10] |
| Seal of Royal Yacht Club, Cowes | R.Y.S. | [11] |
| 'Pearl,' R.Y.S. | R. T. Pritchett | [13] |
| 'Dolphin,' R.Y.S. | " | [14] |
| 'Esmeralda,' R.Y.S. | " | [14] |
| 'De Emmetje,' Lugger | " | [15] |
| 'New Moon,' R.Y.S. | " | [16] |
| Chart of the Royal Yacht Squadron—(Queen's Course) | [19] | |
| 'The Lady Hermione' | From working drawings lent by Marquis of Dufferin | [26] |
| 'The Lady Hermione,' Deck Plan | " | [28] |
| 'The Lady Hermione,' Fittings | " | [30] |
| 'Foam,' R.V.S. 'In High Latitudes' | [38] | |
| View from the Royal Western Yacht Club, Plymouth | R. T. Pritchett | [40] |
| Chart of the Royal Western Yacht Club. Plymouth Course | Club Card | [41] |
| Chart of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club Course | Club Card | [44] |
| International Gold Cup. Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Won by 'Britannia' | R.V.Y. Club | [45] |
| First Race of the Mersey Yacht Club, June 16, 1845 | R. T. Pritchett | [47] |
| 'Queen of the Ocean,' R.M.Y.C., saving Emigrants from 'Ocean Monarch' | " | [47] |
| Chart of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club Courses | From Club Card | [48] |
| Chart of the Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club Courses | " | [51] |
| 'Madge,' 1880—Lines and Midship Section | G. L. Watson | [53] |
| 'Neptune,' Cutter, 1875—Lines and Midship Section | W. Fife | [61] |
| 'Reverie,' 1891—Lines and Midship Section | J. M. Soper | [70] |
| Northern Yacht Club Seal | From Secretary R.N.Y. Club | [72] |
| Chart of the Royal Northern Yacht Club Courses | Club Card | [73] |
| Royal Northern Flags | From Secretary R.N.Y.C. | [75] |
| 'Gleam,' 1834—Lines and Midship Section | Fife of Fairlie | [78] |
| Chart of the Royal Clyde Yacht Club Courses | From Secretary | [80] |
| 'Clara'—Midship Section | W. Fife | [91] |
| Chart of the Royal Forth Yacht Club Courses | Club Card | [97] |
| Yachts of Cork Water Club, 1720 | R. T. Pritchett | [101] |
| Chart of the Royal Cork Yacht Club | Club Card | [103] |
| Cork Water Club putting out to Sea, 1720 | R. T. Pritchett | [105] |
| Chart of the Royal St. George's Yacht Club Courses | [107] | |
| Outward Bound | Honourable Artists of the 'Iris' | [125] |
| 'Iris'—Section | " | [127] |
| 'Iris'—Section showing Permanent Legs | " | [128] |
| The Bailey, Dublin Bay | " | [130] |
| 'Graphic' Artists at Work during the Gale of October 5, 1892 | " | [132] |
| Her Majesty's Mails | " | [134] |
| Storm without, Calm within | " | [135] |
| Kingstown, Dublin Bay | " | [137] |
| Ringsend, Dublin | " | [141] |
| Monkstown, Dublin Bay | " | [143] |
| Ireland's Eye | " | [144] |
| 'King's Fisher,' 1776 | R. T. Pritchett | [151] |
| Commodore Thomas Taylor, of the Cumberland Fleet, 1776 | From a Family Portrait in possession of Robert Taylor, Esq. | [152] |
| 'King's Fisher,' 1770—Lines | Original Lines | [153] |
| 'King's Fisher,' 1770—Midship Section | " | [154] |
| 'Button,' 1776 | " | [155] |
| First 'Cumberland,' 1780—Midship Section | " | [157] |
| First 'Cumberland,' 1780—Lines | " | [158] |
| Second Cumberland, 1790—Lines and Midship Section | " | [160] |
| Yacht of Cumberland Fleet, 1781 | R. T. Pritchett | [161] |
| Circular of Cumberland Fleet, 1775 | [163] | |
| Officers' Badge, R.T.Y.C. | R. T. Pritchett | [168] |
| 'Mystery' passing 'Blue Belle,' 1843 | " | [170] |
| 'Phantom,' R.T.Y.C., 1853 | " | [171] |
| 'Cygnet,' 1846 | " | [172] |
| 'Dis,' 1888—Lines and Midship Section | J. M. Soper | [176] |
| 'Tottie,' Royal Corinthian Yacht Club | Photograph | [177] |
| Upper Thames Sailing Club and Club House, Bourne End, Bucks | R. T. Pritchett | [181] |
| Upper Thames Steam Yacht 'Cintra' | Photograph | [182] |
| 'Feeling It' off the Ferry | From a photograph by Brunskill, of Windermere | [184] |
| A Fair Start. Royal Windermere Yacht Club | " | [185] |
| Limit Angle of Counter | Club Book | [186] |
| Smart Breeze for racing Windermere | Brunskill, of Windermere | [186] |
| Chart of the Royal Windermere Yacht Club Course | Club Card | [187] |
| Fair Wind round the Buoy | Brunskill, of Windermere | [188] |
| Calm Weather | " | [188] |
| The 'Greyhound' | R. T. Pritchett | [191] |
| The Fisher's Home, the Broads | " | [192] |
| Regatta Time | " | [196] |
| Wroxham Pleasure Craft | R. T. Pritchett | [198] |
| Wroxham Broad | " | [200] |
| Smooth-water Bowsprit | " | [202] |
| River Waveney Craft | " | [206] |
| 'Greyhound'—Midship Section | G. C. Davies | [210] |
| 'Greyhound'—Lines of | " | [211] |
| 'Castanet' | R. T. Pritchett | [215] |
| Hull of the 'Castanet' | " | [216] |
| 'Mystery' Thames Boat ('Foreign' Boat) | " | [218] |
| A Start | " | [221] |
| In the Gloaming | " | [223] |
| Birds of a Feather | " | [225] |
| Commodore Stevens, Founder of the New York Yacht Club | Photo sent by Mr. Stevens, of Hoboken, U.S.A. | [227] |
| R.Y.S. Cup won by the 'America,' 1851 | [228] | |
| 'Trouble'—1816, Midship Section | Herreshoff | [237] |
| 'Maria,' Sloop, 1846—Midship Section | " | [238] |
| 'Wave,' 1832—Midship Section | " | [238] |
| 'Onkahya,' 1839—Midship Section | " | [239] |
| 'America,' 1851, N.Y.Y.C. | R. T. Pritchett | [246] |
| 'America'—Lines and Midship Section | Hunt's Magazine | [248] |
| 'Shadow,' 1872 | Photo, Stebbins, Boston | [250] |
| 'Shadow,' 1872—Lines and Midship Section | Herreshoff | [251] |
| Midship Section of American Yachts | " | [253] |
| 'Gracie'—Sail Plan | " | [254] |
| 'Gracie,' 1868—Lines and Midship Section | " | [255] |
| 'Puritan,' 1885, N.Y.Y.C. | Photo, Gubalman, New York | [260] |
| 'Gossoon,' Keel Boat, 1890 | Photo, Stebbins, Boston | [264] |
| 'Gloriana,' 1892 | " | [265] |
| 'Wasp,' 1892 | " | [267] |
| Fin-keel and Bulb | Herreshoff | [268] |
| 'Consuelo,' Cat-yawl | " | [269] |
| Herreshoff Catamaran | " | [270] |
| Newport (Centreboard) Cat-boat | " | [271] |
| 'Constellation,' 1889, N.Y.Y.C. | Photo, Stebbins, Boston | [274] |
| The Ubiquitous Cat-boat | R. T. Pritchett | [277] |
| Frascati and Pierhead at Havre | " | [304] |
| Chart of Havre Regatta Courses | Club Card | [305] |
| Harbour at Havre | R. T. Pritchett | [306] |
| Chart of Nice Regatta Courses | Club Card | [307] |
| Lateen Yachts, Bombay Club, 1887 | R. T. Pritchett | [315] |
| Chart of the Royal Bombay Yacht Club Sailing Course | Bombay Card | [317] |
| Fitted Races at Bermuda, 1863 | R. T. Pritchett | [319] |
| Bermuda Rig | " | [322] |
| Dutch Ice Boat of Present Time | " | [323] |
| 'Waterwitch' v. 'Galatea,' 1834 Start of Race for 1,000 Guineas | " | [325] |
| 'Corsair' v. 'Talisman' Race (1842), Running down Channel | R. T. Pritchett, from a picture by Condy | [326] |
| 'Corsair' v. 'Talisman' Race (1842), The Return | " | [327] |
| 'Corsair,' 1832—Lines and Midship Section | Michael Ratsey, of Cowes | [328] |
| 'Brilliant' and 'Ariel' Race, 1830 | R. T. Pritchett | [329] |
| Going Aloft | " | [333] |
| Diagrams showing Old and New Styles in Aft Sections of 40-Raters | J. M. Soper | [335] |
| Diagrams showing recent Styles in Fore Sections of 40-Raters | J. M. Soper | [336] |
| 'Irex'—Midship Section | A. Richardson | [337] |
| 'Irex'—Lines | Designed by Alexander Richardson | [338] |
| 'Corsair'—General Arrangements Plans | A. E. Payne | [339] |
| 'Corsair'—Midship Section | " | [340] |
| Lashing the Emperor's Racing Flag | R. T. Pritchett | [341] |
| Our Masthead Man | " | [341] |
| 'All aft, my Sonnies!' | " | [342] |
| 'Another Pull at the Mainsheet, my Lads!' | " | [342] |
| Close Hauled | " | [343] |
| Real Business | " | [344] |
| Torquay | " | [346] |
| Chart of Channel racing Westward | [347] | |
| A Close Finish, 'Queen Mab' and 'Corsair' | R. T. Pritchett | [348] |
| 'Iverna,' 1890 | Designed by Alexander Richardson | [354] |
| 'Iverna'—Lines and Midship Section | " | [355] |
| Chart of the Thames, Harwich and Cinque Ports Courses | F. S. Weller | [357] |
| 'Calluna' | From a Kodak photograph | [361] |
| Chart of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, Belfast Courses | From Club Card | [367] |
| Chart of the Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dublin Bay Courses | " | [371] |
| 'Navahoe,' N.Y.Y.C. | From a Kodak | [372] |
| Chart of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, Warner and Lymington Course | Club Card | [379] |
| Chart of the Royal Albert Yacht Club, Southsea Course | " | [381] |
| Chart of the Torbay Regatta Course | " | [383] |
| 'Satanita' | From a Kodak | [385] |
| Chart of the Start Bay Yacht Club, Dartmouth, Course | Club Card | [387] |
| Chart of the Royal Dart Yacht Club, Kingswear, Courses | " | [389] |
| 'Dragon III.' | From a Kodak | [398] |
| Chart of the New York Yacht Club. Regatta Course | N.Y.Y. Club Sec. | [405] |
| 'Vigilant,' Cup Defender | From a photograph by Stebbins, Boston, Mass. | [406] |
| 'Valkyrie' | Adamson, of Rothesay | [408] |
CHAPTER I
ROYAL YACHTS AND ENGLISH YACHT CLUBS
ROYAL YACHTS
By R. T. Pritchett
The innate love of the English for everything connected with seafaring, roving and adventure, burst prominently forth in the time of Queen Elizabeth, when Drake and Raleigh showed what could be done in small craft in 'ocean cruising,' and, with early Corinthian crews from Devon and the brave West, sallied forth and straightway laid the foundation of our navy, and our present numerous fleet of yachts. In 1604 an early designer, one Phineas Pett, built a yacht for Henry of Wales; and to him the Navy was much indebted for general improvement in line and build throughout the early part of the Stuart dynasty.
At the Restoration we begin in earnest the History of Yachting, and find King Charles II. taking most enthusiastically to yacht building and even racing. That mine of wealth for the details of every-day life, that minute recorder of modes and fashions, Samuel Pepys, Esq., F.R.S., Secretary to the Admiralty, first brings to our notice the aquatic taste of His Majesty. In his delightful 'Diary' we find:—
July 15, 1660.—Found the King gone this morning by 5 of the clock to see a Dutch pleasure boat below bridge, where he dines and my Lord with him.
In a further notice we find His Majesty winning the first yacht race in the Thames, over the course of the R.T.Y. Club, Greenwich to Gravesend and back—a wager of one hundred guineas.
January 13, 1660-1661.—Lord's Day. To the Globe to dinner, then to Commissioner Pett, to his lodgings there, which he hath for the present while he is building the King's yacht, which will be a very pretty thing and much beyond the Dutchman's.
January 15.—The King hath been this afternoon to Deptford to see the yacht that Commissioner Pett is building, which will be very pretty, as also that his brother Christopher Pett (son of Phineas Pett) at Woolwich is making.
Dutch yacht. From drawing by Vandervelde dated 1640.
November 8.—On board the yacht, which indeed is one of the finest things that ever I saw, for neatness and room in so small a vessel.
May 21, 1661.—To Deptford and took barge and were overtaken by the King in his barge, he having been down the river in his yacht this day for pleasure to try it; and I hear Commissioner Pett's do prove better than the Dutchman, and that his brother did build at Woolwich.
October 1, 1661.—Between Charles II. and his brother the Duke of York for 100 guineas. Sailing match from Greenwich to Gravesend and back. The King won.
July 22, 1662.—Lord Sandwich in yacht to Boulogne in foul weather.
September, 1662.—By water to Woolwich, on my way saw the yacht lately built by our virtuosoes. My Lord Brunkard and others, with the help of Commissioner Pett also, set out from Greenwich with the little Dutch 'Bezan' to try for mastery; and before they got to Woolwich the Dutch beat them half a mile. And I hear this afternoon that in coming home it got above three miles, which all our people were glad of.
July 31, 1663.—Sir William Petty's vessel, which he hath built on two keeles, a model whereof built for the King he showed me, hath this month won a Wager of 50l. in sailing between Dublin & Holyhead with the ... Pacquett boat. The best ship or vessel the King hath there, and he offers to lay with any vessel in the world.
'Een Bezan Jagt,' 1670.
It is about thirty tons in burden, and carries 30 men with good commodation, as much more as any ship of her burden also as any vessel of this figure shall carry more men. She carries 10 guns of about 5 tons weight. In coming back from Holyhead they started together, and this vessel came to Dublin by 5 at night and the Pacquett boat not before eight the next morning.[1]
September 17, 1665.—Lord's Day. To church to Gravesend in the 'Bezan' yacht, and then to anchor for all night—and with much pleasure at last to sleep—having very good lodging upon cushions in the cabbin.
Cutter, 141 tons, from Stalkart's 'Naval Architecture,' 1781.
October 1, 1665.—Lord's Day. Embarked on board the 'Bezan.' ... After supper on board the 'Bezan,' then to cards for a while and so to sleep; but Lord! the mirth it caused me to be waked in the night by the snoring around me.
1690.—Macaulay in his 'History' mentions a yacht. Caermarthen's eldest son—bold and volatile, fond of the sea, and living much among sailors—had a small yacht of marvellous speed.
1697.—Peter the Great is known to have added to the advancement of sailing and building yachts during his visit to this country.
1720-1737.—The Water Club of the harbour of Cork was established, to be held once every spring tide in April to the last in September, inclusive. The details of this doyen club will be found in its proper place, p. 99 et seq.
Yacht stern, 1781.
Amidst all the voluminous MSS. of the Admiralty secured and appropriated by Samuel Pepys, it is unfortunate that no sketch or drawing of the Royal yacht of Charles II. is to be found. Search is vain among the papers at Cambridge, where most of the Diarist's gleanings are preserved. We must, therefore, start with existing Royal yachts, beginning with that built for King George III. in 1814, and now lying in Portsmouth Harbour.
The Royal yacht 'Royal George' was laid down at Deptford, May 1814, designed by Sir Henry Peake, Surveyor of the Navy, and she was launched at Deptford in July, 1817. Her dimensions were as follow:
| ft. | in. | |
| Length between perpendiculars | 103 | 00 |
| " keel for tonnage | 84 | 4½ |
| Breadth, extreme | 26 | 80 |
| " for tonnage | 26 | 60 |
| Depth of hold | 11 | 60 |
| Burden in tons, 330 tons. | ||
The 'Royal George' was used on Her Majesty's accession, 1837; she was rigged as a ship, and was remarkable for excellent sailing qualities. The captain appointed was Lord Adolphus FitzClarence, G.C.B., &c. The 'Royal George' was laid up in Portsmouth Harbour, in charge of the Master and only fitted out when specially required for Royal service. The lieutenants, mates, assistant-surgeon, and crew were stationed on board a 10-gun brig, H.M.S. 'Pantaloon,' attached to the Royal yacht as tender. This vessel was employed in looking after fishermen, carrying mails, and on other services that might be required.
'Esmeralda,' cutter, under command of the second master, was also attached to the Royal yacht as tender.
On November 7, 1842, a new steam yacht, 'Victoria and Albert,' was laid down at Pembroke Dockyard, and on April 26 next year she was launched. She was designed by Sir William Symonds, Surveyor of the Navy. Construction: diagonal principle, Dantzic oak without, horizontal planking of Italian larch. This yacht, it may here be stated, was subsequently, when a new 'Victoria and Albert' was built, known as the 'Osborne.'
| Dimensions | ||
| ft. | in. | |
| Length | 200 | 0 |
| Extreme length | 225 | 0 |
| Beam | 39 | 0 |
| Over paddle-boxes | 59 | 0 |
| Speed 11.5 knots, and commissioned at Blackwall, July 1, 1843. | ||
In 1844, it is to be noted, it was ordered that the Royal yacht should carry the Royal standard at the main, the Admiralty flag at the fore, and the Union Jack at the mizzen, which order remains in force at the present time. In this year, it should perhaps be added, the Queen stayed at Osborne House, and in the following year the estate was purchased from Lady Isabella Blatchford by Her Majesty. The steam yacht 'Fairy' (screw) was built at this period.
| TRINITY YACHT 'VESTAL' | H.M.S. 'MONARCH' | 1842 THE ROYAL YACHT 'ROYAL GEORGE' | H.M.S. 'SHEARWATER' | H.M.S. 'BLACK EAGLE' | G.S.N. CO.'S 'TRIDENT' |
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN GOING TO SCOTLAND.
The paddle steam yacht 'Elfin' appeared in 1849. It was built at Chatham, from the design of Mr. Oliver Lang, of mahogany and on the diagonal principle.
| ft. | in. | |
| Length over all | 112 | 3 |
| Length | 103 | 6 |
| Beam | 13 | 2 |
| Over boxes | 25 | 6 |
| Burden in tons, 96 tons. Speed, 12 knots. Draught, 4 ft. 10 in. H.P. nominal 40. Indicated 192 H.P. | ||
Amongst interesting details which should here be recorded, it may be remarked that in August of this year Her Majesty in the Royal yacht visited Cork, and the Cove was henceforth called Queenstown. As regards the speed and capacity of the 'Victoria and Albert,' her capabilities for long cruises were tested in 1850. Leaving Plymouth Sound June 26, 8.45, she arrived in the Tagus off Belem, June 29, 3.10. Distance 772 miles in 66 hrs. 25 mins. Average speed 116/10 knots. Tried at a measured mile with anthracite and Merthyr coal mixed, three years afterwards, her average speed was 11 knots.
A new yacht, under the temporary name of the 'Windsor Castle,' was started at Pembroke in February 1854, but a few weeks later its progress was suspended to facilitate work for the Baltic and Black Sea fleets.
On January 16, 1855, the 'new' 'Victoria and Albert' was launched and christened, and the name of the old yacht (built 1843) changed to 'Osborne.' The new 'Victoria and Albert' was designed by Oliver Lang, Master Shipwright at Pembroke Yard.
Her Majesty's first cruise in the new yacht took place on July 12, and next day she steamed round the Isle of Wight in 3 hrs. 25 mins. The 'Victoria and Albert' proved an excellent sea-boat. In a heavy gale soon afterwards four line-of-battle ships drove; but Captain Denman reported of the new Royal yacht, 'Splendid sea-boat, and rode out the gale with extraordinary ease, not pitching at all, or bringing the smallest jerk on the cable.'
As for speed, she was tried from Cork to Madeira, and returned from the island, 1,266 miles, at an average rate of 10.8 knots. Cork to Portsmouth, 341 miles, 22 hrs. 7 mins., average 15.4 knots, is also noted.
The new yacht 'Alberta' (paddle steamer) was built in 1863.
| ft. | in. | |
| Extreme length | 179 | 0 |
| Extreme breadth | 22 | 8 |
| Over paddle-boxes | 41 | 0 |
| Burden in tons, 390. Coal stowage, 33 tons. Speed, 14 knots. | ||
All the fittings of the Royal yachts are as simple as possible, but the perfect quality of material is not to be surpassed.
The appointments on these vessels are as follows: The commander, three years; lieutenants, two years. One promoted at end of each year. Names of all officers to be submitted to the Queen.
THE ROYAL YACHT 'VICTORIA AND ALBERT,' 1843.
(First cruise, 1843.)
The 'Victoria and Albert' always lies off Cowes during the Queen's residence at Osborne in the summer. During the winter, when the Queen is at Osborne, she is in Portsmouth Harbour. The 'Alberta' always brings the Queen from Gosport to Cowes, and vice versâ, and, as a rule, members of any Royal family. The 'Elfin' runs regularly with messengers, bringing despatches as may be from time to time required; the whole fleet is under the command of Admiral Fullerton, A.D.C., who is always on board any of the yachts in which the Queen may embark. The 'Osborne' brings the Prince of Wales across to Cowes in the summer, when the Prince and Princess and family live on board, remaining generally for about three weeks. The 'Osborne' is an independent command, being the Prince's Royal yacht. The grandest view of the Royal yachts is obtained when Her Majesty inspects a fleet at Spithead. On these occasions the 'Victoria and Albert,' with the Queen and Royal family, the Lords of the Admiralty in attendance on board, is preceded by the Trinity yacht 'Irene,' the 'Alberta' being on the starboard, and the 'Elfin' on the port quarter. Next come the Admiralty yacht 'Enchantress,' and the Lords and Commons,—generally in troopships such as the 'Himalaya,'—others according to precedence.
The stately five-knot approach of these vessels is always very impressive, and forms a nautical pageant well worthy of the Queen of England and Empress of India, who has bestowed such munificent patronage on the various yacht clubs of her realms, having presented since the Accession no fewer than seventy-two valuable challenge cups to be sailed for by all classes, besides the annual cups to the R.Y.S. since 1843. The details of these will be recorded later on.