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. | ||