ROYAL YACHTS
EMILY HARRIS C/O ROYAL THAMES YC
Above: Yachts of the Cumberland Fleet racing off Lambeth Palace in 1775, by Francis Swaine
Above: Contemporary model of the type of yacht sailed by members of the Cumberland Fleet in about 1788. It bears a close resmblance to the famous Bellissima
The King’s enthusiasm for sailing helped to lay the foundations for the sport in British waters and led to his being referred to as the ‘father of yachting’. The Royal family renewed its association with the Petts in 1660 when Phineas Pett’s sons were invited to build improved versions of the Mary. Peter Pett built the 49ft (14.9m) Katherine at Deptford for the King, while his younger brother Christopher constructed the 52ft (15.9m) Anne for the Duke of York. Each was manned by a crew of 30 and armed with eight guns. Unlike the Mary, neither was fitted with leeboards due their increased draught.
WAGER ON THE THAMES To see how the new yachts compared, the Royal brothers challenged each other to a race in the Thames estuary, as the noted diarist John Evelyn records in his entry for 1 October 1661: “I sailed this morning with his Majesty in one of his yachts (or pleasure boats), vessels not known among us till the Dutch East India Company presented
that curious piece (Mary) to the King; being very excellent sailing vessels. It was on a wager between his other new pleasure-boat, built frigate-like (Katherine), and one of the Duke of York’s (Anne); the wager 100 guineas; the race from Greenwich to Gravesend and back. The King lost it going, the wind being contrary, but saved stakes in returning. There were divers noble persons and lords on board, his Majesty sometimes steering himself. His barge and kitchen boat attended.” While the brothers clearly enjoyed their pleasure sailing, the larger Royal Yachts were frequently used in the course of the King’s official duties. Even though the King’s fleet of Royal Yachts continued to grow throughout his reign, he generally made the most use of his latest craft and allowed the others to be released for naval duties or placed at the disposal of senior Government officials. The ketch-rigged Fubbs of 1682 proved to be the fastest of Charles II’s Royal Yachts and was the second to be named after his mistress, Louise de
Right: The Duke of Cumberland, patron of the Cumberland Sailing Society, forerunner of the Royal Thames Yacht Club
Above: Silver yachting cup, the gift of the Duke of Cumberland, 17 June 1776
CLASSIC BOAT FEBRUARY 2012 43
EMILY HARRIS C/O ROYAL THAMES YC
EMILY HARRIS C/O ROYAL THAMES YC
EMILY HARRIS C/O ROYAL THAMES YC
C/O ROYAL THAMES YC
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100