YACHT'S LONG CRUISE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19469, 27 October 1926, Page 14

YACHT'S LONG CRUISE.

ARRIVAL OF THE SURPRISE. UNEXPECTED CALL AT PORT. SIX MONTHS IN DOMINION. Unheralded, the beautiful yacht Surprise, which paid an extended visit to Wellington earlier in the year, steamed up the Waitemata yesterday afternoon and came to an anchorage opposite Stanley Bay. On board was the owner, Mr. Godfrey H. Williams, of Abcrpargym, Wales, and his wife. With supreme grace and rhythm in all her lines and with the afternoon sun glistening on her pure white sides and yellow funnel, the Surprise presented a picture all too rarely seen in Auckland. Since* leaving Wellington early in June, the Surprise lias literally wandered about the waters off the Queensland coast and among Pacific Islands. From Wellingon she went to Sydney and remained there for three weeks. She then visited the Great Barrier Beef where an enjoyable time was spent in deep-sea fishing and catching turtles. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were also fortunate enough to secure a wonderful collection of sea shells. After cruising about the Barrier for two months, the Surprise called at Townsville for fuel and then set sail for Noumea, New Caledonia. She remained there a few days and headquarters were then established in the Bay of St. Vincent, about 30 miles north of Noumea. Mr. Williams and his officers fished and also had some deer shooting. Extended Stay in South Island. On the way to Auckland the Surprise called at Norfolk Island, when all on board were hospitably entertained by the resident commissioner. Fine weather prevailed for the greater part of the time and Mr. and Mrs. Williams and the crew kept in the best of health. Mr. Williams is glad to be back in New Zealand and said it felt like returning home. The itinerary of the Surprise involves a stay of about six months in New Zealand. She will remain in Auckland until about November 10, when Mr. Williams expects his four daughters to arrive from England. The vessel will then go to the South Island to visit Milford Sound and other fiords.

Subsequently Mr. Williams and his family will set up camp at the north end of Lake Wanaka, which will be made the base for' trout fishing and deer stalking. Mr. Williams also hopes to fish for Atlantic salmon in virgin waters, being intensely interested in the acclimatisation and breeding of these fish. During tho period Mr. Williams and his family are ashore, the Surprise will make her headquarters at some convenient port and will probably leave New Zealand for England about next March. Accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Williams on tho cruise is Mr. Robert Hutchison, of Masterton. While in Auckland tho Surprise will remain in the stream. Vessel's Varied Career. The Surprise has had an interesting career. Built in Scotland in 1896 for Mr Anthony Drexie, of Philadelphia, sho was sold to the King of Belgium, who owned her for 13 years. The next owners were Captain Jephron Cohen and the late Mr. F. G. Bourne, then president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, and she was afterwards sold to the Russian Government. On tho outbreak of the revolution the crew mutinied and murdered their officers, one of whom was put to death by being roasted in the furnaces. In 1918 the Russians took the vessel to Liverpool and she was kept there until 1921, when she was taken over by the British Admiralty and used for 16 months as the admiral's yacht in the Mediterranean. After that she was laid up in Portsmouth until .1923, when she was purchased by Mr. Williams, who is the owner of large estates in South Wales, including rich holdings in the coalfields. A vessel of 1500 tons and capable of 17 knots, the Surprise is equipped with every comfort for long sea voyages. Her appointments are rich and artistic and include many valuable art treasures.