EAST DONYLAND​ / ROWHEDGE

Newspaper articles from the year of Dagmar's construction

 

4 August 1865 - “THE PRINCE OF WALES’ NEW YACHT DAGMAR.- A splendid cutter yacht, named the Dagmar, of 36 tons measurement, has just been completed for his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales by the eminent yacht builders, Messrs. John Harvey and Co., of Wyvenhoe. The yacht is named in honour of the sister of the Princess of Wales, daughter of the King of Denmark. Its dimensions are, length on decks 50 feet five-tenths; main breadth, 13 feet six-tenths; depth 8 feet four-tenths; draught of water, 8 feet 6 inches; height of cabin floor to underside of deck, 6 feet 1½ inches. The internal fittings are of the most handsome modern and approved descriptions. The saloon, or centre compartment, is fitted with Spanish mahogany, walnut tree, and birds eye maple. It has a balance table, and there are book-cases, wine lockers, drawers, cupboard for decanters, wine glasses, &c. The fireplace has a handsome marble chimneypiece with mirror above. The ladies’ cabin aft is superbly fitted with mirror, couches, and spring cushions covered with crimson silk, marble washstand, and a salt water bath below the floor. From the saloon forward on the starboard side is a commodious cabin for the captain, with berth, washstand, drawers, and on the opposite side is the pantry with cooking apparatus, supplied by Paskell and Atkey, of Cowes, and well-arranged culinary utensils. From an iron tank under the floor fresh water is pumped up by a brass engine. The fore part of the yacht provides accommodation for four of the crew, with sleeping hammocks. The saloon, ladies’ and captain’s cabins, have all Brussels carpets, and red silk curtains are fitted for the skylights in the saloon and ladies’ cabin. The handles and finger plates on the doors are amber. All the furniture is French polished. The sails are fitted by Lapthorn, of Gosport, and the rigging is of the latest improvement. On the brass rudder head on deck is engraved “Dagmar” with the Prince of Wales feathers, and near it the builder’s name, “Harvey, of Wyvenhoe.” The yacht has been 10 weeks in building, and will cost about £1,500. She left her moorings at Saturday morning’s early tide for Osborne, Isle of Wight, in charge of Captain Potter, of East Donyland, with a crew from Wyvenhoe and East Donyland. The Dagmar, like many other yachts turned out from the hands of Messrs. Harvey, in which we may include the Aegidia, built for Lord Rendlesham, and still more recently the Zanthe, for Lord Alfred Paget, is a perfect specimen of yacht architecture. Since our last visit, Messrs. Harvey have at great cost made extensive additions to their ship building yard, which is immediately contiguous to the river and near  the railway station. The superiority of iron over wood in naval architecture being now universally admitted, they have found a larger area indispensably necessary for the construction of iron vessels. Several keels are now being laid down in the yard for Government vessels. A short time since a Timber Company was suggested to be formed at Colchester, and as in the construction of iron vessels a large quantity of foreign timber would be required, Wyvenhoe, the port of Colchester, which has now railway communication with all parts of England, would be the most suitable place for carrying on the business of such a company.”

 

 

4 August 1865 - “ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA - The sports of this Town Regatta were continued for some time after the closing of yesterday’s dispatch, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, having remained to witness them for about two hours, then returned to Osborne.

Last night the annual dinner of the members of the Royal Yacht Squadron took place at the Castle, and the attendance was more numerous than on any former occasion.... The cloth having been drawn, the Commodore said the first toast he had the honour of proposing was that of “Our Most Gracious Queen, the patroness of the squadron,” who manifested the deepest interest in its success, and was always a donor of a cup to be competed for at their regatta.

The toast was drunk with enthusiasm and all due honours.

The Commodore said the next toast he had the pleasure to propose was that of “His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,” who he was proud to say was now ranked as No.1 on the list of the Royal Yacht Squadron. When he signified his desire to become a member he would have been received as a matter of course, but he determined to go through the usual practice and submit to a ballot, and he (the Earl of Wilton) need hardly say that he was unanimously elected. He was also very proud to say that he was yesterday afloat in his new yacht the Dagmar, and, what was very flattering to them, he sailed not under the Royal standard but the flag of the Royal Yacht Squadron (cheers).  He therefore with pleasure proposed “The Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family,” which was drunk with loud cheering.”

 

 

12 August 1865 - “THE VISIT OF THE CHANNEL FLEET TO FRANCE. The ships composing the Channel Fleet are to sail for Cherbourg on Monday next. The fleet will remain at Cherbourg till the 17th inst. and then proceed to Brest, where it will probably remain about three days, and then meet the French fleet. The Prince of Wales will accompany the fleet in his new yacht, the Dagmar which left her moorings on Saturday [5th] for Osborne, and on Monday laid in Cowes roadstead with the R.Y.S. burgee flying.”

ALSO - “THE ISLE OF WIGHT. Cowes, Aug. 12. ARRIVALS:- August 2nd, The Dagmar, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, from Colchester.”

 

 

16 August 1865- The Prince of Wales is, we believe, the first Prince of the Blood who has owned a yacht since the days of Charles II. George IV., William IV., and our gracious Queen Victoria have had what are termed Royal yachts, but they are more state vessels than pleasure vessels. It will be a gratifying sight to witness the heir to the Throne on board the Dagmar, a cutter of six-and-thirty tons, accompanying the English fleet to Cherbourg. Every one loved the “Sailor King,” and the “Prince” will also be endeared to his future subjects by his love for manly pursuits.”

 

 

2 September 1865 - “THE ISLE OF WIGHT. COWES, 2 Sept. Yachts At and About the Station. The Dagmar, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.” [Still here on the 19th]

 

 

 

18 September 1865 - “The Prince of Wales’s yacht, the Dagmar, it is understood, has been specially adapted to use on the coast of Norfolk, to enable the Prince to enjoy the sport of wild fowl shooting in the vicinity of the Hunstanton Cliff, the Wash, &c., and on the return of the Prince to Sandringham is going round to King’s Lynn, to be accessible to his Royal Highness.- Court Journal.