Britannia (Royal Racing Yacht)
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:27 pm
His Majesty's Cutter Yacht Britannia is depicted on the 3-cents Canadian Silver Jubilee stamp issued in 1935. She was built in 1893 for King Edward VII--then Prince of Wales—by Messrs. D. & W. Henderson, of Glasgow, to the design of Mr. 0. L. Watson, and was a complete departure from the craft of her period, being intended to skim the surface of the water instead of driving through it and her advent received much adverse criticism. The yacht was even considered unsightly because she had not got the clipper or swan bow, but after winning twenty first prizes in her first season's racing her critics were silenced, her nearest rival having won only eleven. During the Britannia's long racing career her sail plan was altered and the mast, removed from her in 1932, was presented to the Royal Alfred Aged Merchant Seamen's Institution by His Majesty King George V, and is now in use at their Belvedere home as a flagstaff.
In compliance with the wish of the late King George V, the Britannia was towed into the English Channel and scuttled.
Canada SG340 Jersey SG407
In compliance with the wish of the late King George V, the Britannia was towed into the English Channel and scuttled.
Canada SG340 Jersey SG407