Royal Yacht Britannia (1893)

the first superyacht, royal, revolutionary

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The first superyacht, royal, revolutionary as she appeared when new before she became a J Class; "Britannia" won over 200 first prizes which is still an unbeaten record.

Britannia was arguably the most distinguished yacht ever sailed. She certainly had a huge impact on the public, promoting Yachting (which we now call sailing!) by annually visiting and racing at most major British ports adding glamour and Royal kudos.

Britannia was built by D & W Henderson of Clydeside especially for the Royal family whose links with yachting go back at least as far as the days of the "merry monarch", King Charles II. She measured 102 feet & set 10,000-sq. ft. of sail.

Launched to race against straight stemmed & clipper bowed Victorian cutters, her long convex overhangs were considered new, radical & ugly.

Britannia was crewed thought out her life mostly by fishermen from the village of Wivenhoe, Essex (see Wivenhoe's history of the Royal Yacht Britannia), and other River Colne villages.

This picture was researched by kind permission of Keith and Ken Beken from among their father / grandfather's original glass plates at Beken of Cowes. They also advised on colours of the yacht and her sails.

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For more see useful facts + excellent stories about Royal Yacht Britannia (1893).

By Gordon Frickers 762 x 1015mm (30" x 40"), oils on canvas, Original Sold ("Britannia" won over 200 first prizes, still an unbeaten record.)

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