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.