The Queen's visit to Scotland in 1842 sealed the fate of the "Royal George." The time had come when the uncertainty of canvas had to give way to the certainty of steam. Bad weather necessitated the Royal yacht being taken in tow by H.M. steamer "Shearwater," and the Admiralty yacht "Black Eagle"; her Majesty returning south in the "Trident," a steamship belonging to the General Steam Navigation Company.

From this time the "Royal George" has been laid up in Portsmouth Harbour, and attains this year the good age of eighty-two.

In 1842 a new steam yacht was laid down at Pembroke, November 9th, from the design of Sir William Symonds. Extreme length, 225 ft.; beam, 39 ft.; ditto over paddle boxes, 59 ft. ; speed, 11 knots; commissioned July 1, 1843. This was an early period of steamships; the right combinations had not been worked out; great vibration was produced by too much propelling force. 1855 produced a new "Victoria and Albert," a grand specimen of naval architecture, designed by Oliver Lang, master shipwright of Pembroke Dockyard. Length over all, 336'4 ft. ; beam outside paddle boxes, 66'6 ft. ; tonnage, 2,342; speed, 16.813 and 17 knots.

But now it is paddle boxes, or "side boxes," that are doomed, and her Majesty's new steam yacht, also built at Pembroke Dockyard, 1899, is up to date with twin screws, forced draught, telephones, and electric appliances; in fact a model of scientific construction and equipment, having a length of 380 ft. between perpendiculars; beam, 50 ft.; displacement, 4,700 tons; H. P. indicated, 11,000.

THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON.

(6 BRITANNIA."

THE most celebrated yachts of bygone days were certainly the "Pearl," the "Arrow," and the "Alarm." The "Pearl " was a 120-ton cutter, built in 1820 for the Marquis of Anglesey, by Santy the Smuggler who sailed from the Colne, a staunch supporter and prime mover at the foundation of the Royal Yacht Squadron. The “Arrow” was designed by her owner, Joseph Weld, Esq., of Lulworth Castle. She passed into the hands of Thomas Chamberlayne, Esq. The celebrated "Alarm' was built in 1830, also from the design of Joseph Weld. Her tonnage as a cutter, her first rig, was 193 tons. After the visit of the "America" in 1851, Mr. Weld lost no time in profiting thereby, and at once altered the bow of the "Alarm" by 20 ft., and gave her flat canvas, the mainsail and staysail, including jib, both laced to the boom for windward work, in which our visitor excelled.

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Coming to present days, we are proud to have amongst all the cracks of the period one vessel whose name will be handed down as the most perfect combination of racing and cruising qualities ever achieved; and what a good name she bears. It was a happy thought to christen her "" Britannia," for she well deserves it, representing in many details the best work that has been produced by the designer, the builder, the sailmaker, the skipper, and the crew. Her original owner, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, by his practical interest in every class of yachting at home and abroad, has developed each phase of the sport; even the small raters have had special patronage. When the Prince gave a £100 cup, in 1898, to be sailed for by these famous little fellows, they sailed in nearly a gale of wind. Of the Solent One class, eighteen started from the R.Y. "Osborne," and gave a grand display of what amateurs can make of bad weather in a splendid race won by "Tangerine."

The "Britannia was designed by G. E. Watson, and came out in 1893. Every one was anxious for her success, and she proved to be worthy of their confidence and hopes.