LATE KING'S YACHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22469, 13 July 1936, Page 9

LATE KING'S YACHT

LAST OF BRITANNIA SUNK IN RAIN STORM TOWED BY DESTROYERS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. July 10 Stripped of all her fittings, the late King George V.'s yacht Britannia was-taken from Cowes by two destroyers in a downpour of rain and sunk last night. GREAT RACING CRAFT HISTORY OF HER CAREER CUTTER'S UNIQUE RECORD The Royal cutter Britannia, one of England's greatest racing yachts, was sunk off Cowes, the scene of many of her contests. As one of King George's most treasured possessions, it was fitting that such a . craft should end her days at sen.. Sir Philip Hunloke, who has handled the Britannia since 1912, was one of the few who accompanied the old craft on her last voyage. The Britannia's fine record was followed with almost a personal interest by every yatchsman of the Empire and her name rivals even the fame of the great Cutty Sark. Kintr George loved his craft with the true love of a sailor and whether ho was at the helm, with the Britannia thrashing through heavy weather at the head of the fleet, or whether he was on board when she sailed in light breezes, the only conditions in which she was never consistently prominent, his presence was always welcome. King Georgo and the Britannia were one of tlir> greatest stimulants yachting has ever received. Champion in Her First Season

Designed by the late George L. Watson, the Britannia was a veritable masterpiece. She was built by Messrs. D. and W. Henderson, of Glasgow, for Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, and was launched on the Clyde in 18913. Her first race was her first success. She beat the well known Valkyrie 11. and her appearance with other great cutters of 1893 caused a great sensation and introduced a new era in the sport. Five years later the Britannia was considered out of date and antiquated, but Watson's reputation was, and is still, vindicated for modern craft such as the Endeavour and Velsheda and the American Enterprise and Yankee diiler only slightly from the Britannia. In her first season the Britannia was champion of her class and won 24 trophies witli clear victories. It was in this year she met the celebrated American sloop Navahoe, which was racing in English waters. The two craft met in 13 races. The Britannia won 12 and finished first in every race. The following year the Britannia was matched with another American yacht, the Vigilant, which had the previous year successfully defended the America's Cup. When these craft first met on the Clyde, more than 100,000 people gathered to see the race. Excitement was intense and the Britannia added another victory to her credit. Altogether these two met on 17 occasions and tho Britannia was the victor in 12.

Befitting ol Famous Cralt The Prince of Wales sold the Britannia in 1897 to Mr. J. L. Johnston, of Sydenham Hill, London, and then she passed through further hands before she was repurchased by the Prince two years later. For 14 years she did not race, and on his accession to the throne, King Edward again sold the craft, but was her owner for the third time in 1901. As if waiting until designers could produce something worthy of her qualities, the Britannia did not race again until 1913, when she achieved considerable success under the command of King George. War years intervened and for some seasons after the Armistice yachting was .little heard of in the bigger classes. The refitting of the Britannia by the King proved the commencement of a speedv revival of the sport. From 1923 with one exception, the Britannia raced every season with remarkable and consistent success. In 19.'30, 37 years after her launching, she was pitted against the Shamrock V., the latest challenger for the America's Cup, and once again proved she could hold her own. The following year the Britannia made her appearance under the modern Bermuda rig, and was once, again eligible for J class comiietition. She underwent alterations in 1935, but met with no further success. In the gruelling raco round the Isle of Wight last year, King George sailed on the Britannia for the last time. Sailing in 723 races, the Britannia secured 231 wins and 367 prizes, a record unique in the annals of yachting.