EAST DONYLAND​ / ROWHEDGE

Stephanie was designed by Mr. C.P. Clayton. Her dimensions were:- Length overall, 62.4ft; length, load water line, 46.53ft; beam, 12.25ft; draft, 11ft; displacement, 24.4 tons; sail area, 2,565 square feet; and rating, 19.89. She was built with wood planking, keel, stem, and stern post, with steel frames, floors, beams, and stringers. She had a coppered bottom with turquoise blue topsides and was considered a very good-looking boat. 

 

THE YACHTSMAN – 21 June 1894 – “Stephanie… was launched from Messrs. W. White & Son’s yard on Tuesday (19th). His Serene Highness and many others being present.”

​

THE HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 1 May 1895 - “YACHTING - Mr. C. P. Clayton has appointed Lemon Cranfield to his 20 rater Stephanie, and she will be raced on the Thames, at Harwich, and at Dover, before taking part in the Solent regattas.- The Field.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 17 May 1895 - “THE RACING SEASON - THE FEATURE OF THE FLEET - A few changes have taken place in the ownership and the sailing-masters of last season’s boats, the most notable being that Lord Brassey has sold Dragon to Lord Lonsdale, and that Lemon Cranfield, of Neva, Formosa and Miranda fame, will sail Stephanie.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - No.58. Vol.III. Friday 24 May 1895 - “THE SKIPPER’S COLUMN - In the case of Prince Batthyany-Strattmann’s blue-hulled Stephanie, her recent alterations have, so far, not proved advantageous. With reduced ballast, fresh copper, 2ft. off her mast, and well-shaped and nicely rounded-off lead she ought to have done better. However, in the hands of a Cranfield as captain and an Essex crew, it is quite within the realms of possibility that she may yet shape considerably better as the season advances.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - No.58. Vol.III. Friday 24 May 1895 - “BRIGHTLINGSEA - Yachts on the station May 21st - [inc.] Shearwater, yawl; L’Esperance, cutter, Lord Dunraven; Carina, cutter, Hon. Admiral Montagu; Audrey, cutter, Lord Dunraven; Stephanie, cutter, Prince Batthyany-Strattmann; Namara, yawl, Mr. Paget...”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - No.59. Vol.III. Friday 31 May 1895 - “BRIGHTLINGSEA SAILING CLUB - In a light northerly breeze the annual fixture of this club came off in the Colne on Wednesday last, 22nd inst. The principal event was a match for 20-raters, and the entries were as follows:- Audrey, 20-rating, Lord Dunraven; Stephanie, 20, Prince Batthyany-Strattmann; Luna, 20, Mr. F.B. Jameson; Inyoni, 20, Lord Dudley; Dragon, 20, Lord Lonsdale. Course, starting from an imaginary line between the Committee-boat and two flags on the Mersea shore, down round a mark-boat moored midway between the Bar and N.W. Knowl; thence up the Blackwater, round a mark-boat moored in mid-channel off Bradwell Creek, back to the mark between N.W. Knowl and the Bar, to a mark-boat near Brightlingsea Creek. Two rounds. Prizes, £20 and £5.

At 11 a.m., with the wind straight down the Colne, a capital start was effected, the several competitors crossing the line almost simultaneously - Luna with a slight lead - and with a very light wind ran side by side to the Beach end, where, meeting a southerly wind, spinnakers were quickly taken in and all sheets flattened for a turn to windward. The weather-boats had the best of the start, Dragon taking pride of place, with Stephanie, Luna, Audrey, and Inyoni, in close company. The latter being to windward made a board for the west shore, and so got a clear wind from the leaders. The wind continued paltry and baffling, the first mark was rounded:- Dragon, 12h.2m.30s; Audrey, 12h.3m; Stephanie, 12h.3m.30s; Inyoni, 12h.3m.50s; Luna, 12h.5m.20s.

There was now a broad reach to the Blackwater mark, with the wind still very light. Stephanie, to cheat the tide, kept over on the west edge, and by so doing got the wind, which, although light and flukey, settled down into the north-west. She was close up to Dragon and Audrey, when she went for the Mersea shore; Dragon and Audrey followed her, and when the three started on the beat up the Blackwater, Stephanie was about 50 yards ahead of these two boats, and the upper mark was eventually reached as follows:- Stephanie, 2h.6m; Audrey, 2h.10m.3s; Dragon, 2h.11m.30s; Inyoni, 2h.20m; Luna, 2h.49m.

Spinnakers were now boomed out to port for a run down to the Bar mark. Inyoni carrying a little better breeze, came rapidly on to Audrey and Dragon, but Stephanie was too far ahead to allow any advantage to be taken with her. The Bar mark was rounded in a nice S.S.W. breeze - Stephanie, 3h.15m; Audrey, 3h.26m.29s; Dragon, 3h.27m; Inyoni, 3h.27m.40s; Luna, 4h.5m.

With a nice breeze and spinnaker well filling, Inyoni passed rapidly into third position, and running well, passed Audrey just as the wind came again straight down Colne. Spinnakers came in with a run, and sheets were flattened in for another turn to windward. The round finished thus:- Stephanie, (first prize) 3h.57m.51s; Inyoni, (second prize) 4h.18m.4s; Dragon, 4h.18m.32s; Audrey, 4h.19m.54s; Luna, not timed. The Committee wisely decided to stop the yachts on the first round.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - No.59. Vol.III. Friday 31 May 1895 - “SEA BREEZES - In the race for 20-raters at Brightlingsea, on the 22nd, Stephanie did remarkably well. She was well sailed by Lemon Cranfield, who was loudly cheered as he brought her in a winner.”

 

ESSEX COUNTY STANDARD - Saturday 8 June 1895 - “THE PRINCE OF WALES AT HARWICH - JUBILEE REGATTA OF THE ROYAL HARWICH YACHT CLUB - The Jubilee Regatta of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, which was formed in 1843 with the object of encouraging yacht racing, was held on Whit-Monday, and for a day or two previous, as well as on the regatta day proper and on the following day, the fine harbour was the scene of a grand yachting festival, there being a very large gathering of crack racing and other craft.... Glorious weather favoured yacht Sunday this year at Harwich, and in the brilliant sunlight the harbour, filled with craft, from the Heir-Apparent’s beautiful Britannia to the unpretentious little Luna, presented a scene delightful to the nautical eye. The town was filled with visitors, either interested in the regatta or trippers by the G.E.R. Company’s boats, which brought down a considerable number during the day.... The yachts in the harbour on Sunday evening included the following racing craft:- Britannia, Ailsa, Isolde, Carina, Caress, Luna, Audrey, Stephanie, Xanthe [etc].... 

MONDAY’S RACING -

The third match, at 10.50, for yachts not exceeding a rating of 20; first prize, £25, second prize, £10. Course out of harbour, round Cork Light Vessel, mark-boat with red flag, near stone-bench Buoy, up the river Orwell, round mark boat in Stratton Bight, terminating at the Committee vessel, twice round. This match was keenly contested, and anxiously watched by yachtsmen. The entries were:- Niagara (owner, Mr. Howard Gould); Stephanie (H.S.H. Prince Batthyany-Strattmann); Audrey (Earl of Dunraven); Luna (Mr. F.B. Jameson); Inyoni (Earl of Dudley); and Dragon (Earl of Lonsdale). A splendid start was effected, all the yachts getting away together. Niagara, though having the advantage in leaving harbour, soon fell into fifth place, which position she occupied until the beginning of the last round, and when in the vicinity of the Committee boat, forged ahead and gained first place for a few seconds. Audrey, however, catching the breeze, overhauled her and rounded the mark boat at the river Orwell a few seconds ahead. This lead she kept for some time, but the Niagara gradually crept up, and within a few lengths of the Committee boat a grand struggle ensued between her and the Audrey. The latter, however, by smart handling, which elicited loud applause, beat her by the small margin of ten seconds. Times:

Audrey 4h.7m.55s.

Niagara 4h.8m.5s.

Stephanie 4h.18m.7s. (sic... ? should be 8minutes)

Dragon 4h.9m.34s.

Luna 4h.9m.54s.

Inyoni gave up.

Captain Cranfield, of the Stephanie, lodged a protest against the 2nd prize being awarded to Niagara, on the ground that the latter had fouled his boom near the mark boat at Stratton Bight.”

TUESDAY’S RACING - Fourth Match, for yachts not exceeding 20 rating; first prize £20, second £10; course, out of harbour, round Court (sic) light vessel and mark boat with red flag, near Stone Bench Buoy, back to harbour, thence up River Orwell, round mark boat on Stratton Bight, terminating at Committee vessel, twice round. The following yachts entered:- Inyoni, cutter, Earl of Dudley; Luna, cutter, Mr. F.B. Jameson; Audrey, cutter, Earl of Dunraven; Niagara, cutter, Mr. Howard Gould; Stephanie, cutter, H.S.H. Prince Batthyany-Strattmann; and Dragon, cutter, Earl of Lonsdale. A capital start was effected, and a deal of interest was evidenced,. The Yankey (sic), Niagara, under usual working sails, was first to cross the line at 10.45.30, followed closely by Luna, who passed the American in grand style to windward. Audrey, Stephanie, Inyoni, and Dragon followed. Luna made short boards up the harbour, and the others stood off from the shore. On leaving harbour the relative positions could not be distinguished excepting in the case of Niagara, which was seen to be first, she having again overhauled Luna. In passing the committee boat on the first round, at 2h.52m.15s., Stephanie was leading, Niagara being 14min. behind, with Luna, Dragon, and Inyoni following, Audrey having given up. There was little or no wind and the yachts hardly moved, and in passing the committee boat a second time Stephanie and Niagara were the only ones in the race, the others having given up. After Stephanie and Niagara had rounded Stone Bench Buoy and returned to the committee vessel the race was stopped, Stephanie being declared the winner, her time being 5h.6m.21s.; Niagara being second.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 14 June 1895 - “BRIGHTLINGSEA - A number of yachts came into the Colne last week, including Carina, Admiral Montagu; Florinda, Mr. Wilder; Walrus s.y., Mr. Stamp; Audrey, Lord Dunraven; Stephanie, Prince Batthyany-Strattmann; Niagara, Mr. Howard Gould... A number of yachts came into the Colne last week... Stephanie and Audrey on the same morning [Wednesday 5th June] were brought up on to the hard for scrubbing, and went off with the evening tide...”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 14 June 1895 - “SEA BREEZES - As we predicted in our leading article of May 24th, the 20-rater Stephanie has considerably improved upon her form shown in the early Thames matches. This smart little craft, owned by H.S.H. Prince Batthyany-Strattmann, represents the I. and R. Austro-Hungarian Yacht Squadron in British waters, though, owing to the somewhat limited notions of the Austrian Board of Trade, she is not allowed to fly the Austrian ensign which requires that an Austrian officer be on board.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 2 August 1895 - “Stephanie, which was launched rather late in the season, seemed pursued by phenomenal ill-luck,” and she was sold by the prince later that month.

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - Friday 2 August  1895 - “THE SKIPPER’S COLUMN - Stephanie, which was launched rather late in the season, seemed pursued by phenomenal ill-luck, though even then she gave distinct indications of latent good qualities which this season have been further developed by sundry alterations to her lead and rigging.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 16 August 1895 - “Prince Batthyany-Strattmann has sold his 20-rater Stephanie to a foreign purchaser.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 13 September 1895 - “WINNING YACHTS - PRINCIPAL WINNERS, SEASON 1895 -

Stephanie (Lemon Cranfield) - 20 rating. Designer; Clayton. Starts; 28. Firsts; 6. Seconds; 2. Thirds; 2. Value of prizes; £145.

 

THE YACHTSMAN - 19 September 1895 - “COWES - Owing to certain defects in her copper sheathing and there not being sufficient water to allow of her going on Hansen’s Gridiron the Stephanie has not yet left for the Mediterranean, though otherwise she has been ready for sea for the last week, Messrs. Atkey and Son having adjusted her compasses on the 10th inst. But on Tuesday she was hauled up and the repairs at once attended to, so it is probable she will sail to-day (Wednesday). Captain Lemon Cranfield, who has had charge of her during the season, is to join her later on.”

 

THE YACHTSMAN - 26 September 1895 - “COWES - The 20-rater Stephanie has had her repairs attended to, and left for the Mediterranean on the 18th inst.”

 

THE YACHTSMAN - 26 December 1895 - “THE COLNE - Stephanie will have her same skipper to race her [in the Mediterranean] as at home, Capt. Lemon Cranfield, brother to the noted William, of Valkyrie fame.”

 

THE YACHTSMAN - 27 February 1896 - “THE COLNE - Capt. Lemon Cranfield and his crew go to join the 20-rater, Stephanie, this week.”

 

THE BELFAST NEWS-LETTER - Tuesday 17 March 1896 - “HYERES INTERNATIONAL REGATTA - March 8. Had the mistral not been on the rampage it is likely that yachtsmen would have left Hyeres with a little more pleasurable memories of the place than they did on Sunday, but it is hardly possible that anyone will care to renew the first gained racing experience of such an utterly out of the world locality. Les Salines, where the vessels had to ride, is quite an open roadstead, and with the wind out it would not be a comfortable place. It is about five miles from Hyeres, and, as its name implies, abounds in salt, with Sahara-like surroundings, while accommodation there is absolutely none... [Ailsa, Britannia and Satanita were competing here but competitors and classes are not mentioned]... The Samphire was not favoured by fortune any more than Satanita, or she would certainly have beaten the Stephanie, which was sailed by Lemon Cranfield. The latter was credited with having won a special prize given by the President of the Republic. It passes all knowledge to know how figures could be so engineered to arrive at the result, but the judge’s verdict was she had sailed one round of the course 18 sec. faster than Britannia - with corrections, of course... The weather was far too bad for the smaller raters to attempt a start.”

 

THE YACHTSMAN - 2 July 1896 - “NOTES AND NOTIONS - Mr. F.W.L. Popham has engaged Lemon Cranfield as sailing-master of the Corsair, and he took up the berth at the beginning of the Clyde “fortnight.”

 

THE GLASGOW HERALD - Wednesday 24 March 1897 - “MONTE CARLO REGATTA - .... Stephanie, without the crew which Leman (sic) Cranfield got together for her last winter, is now a rank outsider...”