Page:The history of yachting.djvu/230

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106
THE HISTORY OF YACHTING

Richmond was sold in 1685; and the Deal was sold in 1686.

Nine other royal yachts were built during this reign; the Katherme, 135 tons, built by Phineas Pett, at Chatham; the Portsmouth, 133 tons, built by Phineas Pett, at Woolwich, both in 1674; the Charles, 120 tons, built by Sir Anthony Deane, at Rotherhithe, in 1675; the Chariot, 142 tons, built by Phineas Pett, at Woolwich; the Mary, 166 tons, built by Phineas Pett, at Chatham, both in 1677; the Henrietta, 162 tons, built by Thomas Shish, at Woolwich, in 1679; the Isabella Bezan, 52 tons, built by Phineas Pett, at Chatham, in 1680; the Fubbs, 148 tons, built by Phineas Pett, at Greenwich, in 1682; and the Isabella, 114 tons, built by Phineas Pett, at Greenwich, in 1683.

This completes the list of royal yachts built during the reign of Charles II. It will be seen that four of these yachts were named after the older craft, which had disappeared. And so we find that at this early period the custom was established, which had long existed in the navy, and continues to the present day, to repeat the names of yachts. As a matter of sentiment, the idea is a beautiful one; but it does not commend itself to the historian. It has, indeed, led to a great deal of uncertainty and confusion, and will, in all probability lead to more.

Some interesting particulars are to be found in old State papers as to the monthly rate of wages paid to the officers and crews of royal yachts at this