THE YACHT VIKING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7336, 14 January 1911, Page 7

THE YACHT VIKING

CHARTERED BY LORD ISLINGTON.

The Auckland yacht Viking, which has just been chartered by his Excellency the Governor is the largest pleasure craft in the Dominion. Sho is a wnitehilledvMht,'and was built some fifteen years ago by Charles Bailey for the \ cssrs-Bloonfiekl, but is now owned by Mr J. L: E. Bloomfield, commodore of thelloval New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The Vildng was designed as a last cruisei, ami shortly after completion was matched against the Sydney 33-rater Volunteer which had previously won tho 500-g-uinea Centennial Cup, presented by tho " ft- Government. The race was from the Queen Ureet wharf round the island of Tiri Tiri and back. ,a distance of nearly forty miles. Immense interest wis taken in the event, which went to the Auckland boat after an exciting race. Of late the Viking has not been raced very much, but, with a leading wind, can still more than hold her own with cutters of more modern design. She has done a ..teat deal of cruising, however, and there is no better known craft at the Bay of Islands, Whangamumu, Whangaroa and other picturesque harbours ot tne lai north The big yawl, which has not been in commission this season, is a very fine seaboat, and possesses very roomy accommodation below decks. With such a powerful' cruiser Lord Islington should have many a pleasant day on tho island r studded waters of tho Hauraki Gulf.