PALATIAL YACHT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 March 1926, Page 6

PALATIAL YACHT.

COMING TO NBW ZEALAND.

FLOATING TRBASII RB fcTOIUS

SYDNEY, March 5. One of the most, palatial yachts in the world, indeed, a veritable treasure store ako-at, will shortly be seen in New Zealand waters, where- the owner will engage iu fishing for three months. It is the property of Mr. Godfrey 11. Williams, a Welsh millionaire, and is now on a protracted world -tour, having left Fremantle (West Australia) this ,iveek for Launceston, it being the intention of the owner to go thence to New Zealand, and on to Sydney ._ The Surprise is a vessel of 1495 tons, and Mr. Williams is accompanied by his wife and two daughters, ail of whom have been cruising for the past two years in various parts of the world. Said to be worth £200.000, the furnishings .and fitting's on the Surprise are. wonderful to behold, lor they include almoist priceless pictures. Numbered amongst these are a Gainsborough and a Wilkie. Gold and silver plate used on board is worth another £30,00, including a centrepiece valued !tt £IOOO at one time the property of Napoleon. She carries valuable animals, too, for included amongst tlie complement are an Eskimo dog valued at £IOOO, world champion Pekingeses worth £3OO, and an old man monkey from the Panama. Mr. Williams, is the owner of liyrge estates in South Wales, including rich holdings in the, coalfields and is a member of the Godfrey-William s’ family, owners of the St. Donats castle for generations. -Olaimed to he the oldest castle m Wales, it is renowned in Welsh history as the original castle of Still'twyd, who made a pilgrimage in search of the Holy Grail. Sit. Donats was sold recently to an American syndicate, to be used for filming purposes. Tlie( yacht itself is fitted with all the latest ‘improvements, even carrying a hydroglider. She carries a crew of 50. " . Built originally for an American millionaire, she passed into the hands of King' Leopold, of Belgium, who used her "as the Roval vacht for thirteen years. In 1923 Mr. Williams bought the Surprise and refitted her. The chief engineer lias occupied the position for 27 years. She causes, intense interest everywhere she goes, as in all details she is regarded, for her size, as the most expensive craft- afloat.