THE ROYAL YACHTS. VICTORIA AND ALBERT." THE national pastime of yachting certainly deserves to take precedence of most craft-history in matters maritime in British waters. Of the Royal Yacht Squadron her Majesty the Queen has been the patroness ever since 1837, presenting annually a hundred guinea cup to be sailed for, members only. Immediately after the war in 1815, the numerous large yachts then in existence and frequenting Cowes were brought together by their enthusiastic owners, and a club was organised at Cowes by the most influential men of the day, and firmly established, with royal patronage and wealth to back it. Cowes in fact has been the one great centre of attraction, where, during the first week in August every year, the finest yachts and cruisers are concentrated, not only the competing craft, but the Royal Yacht of our own Royal Family, and the craft of other nations also, American, German, and French. When the Queen succeeded to the throne, the Royal Yacht was a sailing vessel, shiprigged, laid down in Deptford in 1814, from the design of Sir Henry Peake, and launched in July, 1817, as the "Royal George." She came therefore into the service of her fourth Sovereign when Queen Victoria succeeded to the throne. It will be interesting to compare the dimensions of this yacht for State progresses, with those of H.R. H. the Prince of Wales's Racing Cutter the 'Britannia," in 1898. 66 |