Yacht-design has been considerably modified by contemporary existing
measurement rules. Thus, when in the ’eighties the only taxed
dimensions were, not length over all, but length on water-line and
sail area, the temptation to introduce overhang both at bow and
stern was irresistible. In _Jullanar_ the germ of the idea existed,
but it developed to its fullest extent during the ’nineties, and so
by a curious fatality one becomes witness of still another revival,
more strange and curious than all the others, the revival of
that which was indeed one of the most characteristic features of
the Egyptian craft in the early dynasties, the overhanging bow and
stern. In 1893 was built the _Satanita_, in which this last-mentioned
feature is well shown. (See Fig. 118.) This powerful beauty has on
the water-line 97·7 feet, and an extreme beam of 24·7 feet, and
a draught of 16·5 feet. Her sail area (Y.R.A.) was in her Solent
days 9923 square feet. The beautifully-fitting sails seen in the
accompanying illustration are in wonderful contrast to those hollow
bags used in the pre-_America_ days. In the same year was launched
King Edward’s (then Prince of Wales’) _Britannia_, which with Captain
Carter at her helm, won both fame and a considerable number of prizes
during the ’nineties. Her length on the water-line is 87·8 feet; her
extreme beam 23·66 feet; and draught 15 feet. The illustration in
Fig. 119 of the counter of _Britannia_ has been specially included
to give the reader some idea of the weight of her mainsail, which,
as will be noticed, is being hoisted by no less than fourteen
hands on the halyard, including the ship’s cook and steward. The
year 1893 was made memorable by the launch also of the _Valkyrie_,
one of the famous trio of yachts of the same name. She measured
on the water-line 86·8 feet; her extreme beam was 22·33 feet. The
illustration in Fig. 120 shows _Valkyrie I._ It was during this year
that beam, being no longer taxed, was allowed to show its value, and
ever since that time the tendency has continued for a more wholesome
type of boat, instead of the vicious old plank-on-edge class of craft.
[Illustration: FIG. 120. THE “VALKYRIE I.” OWNED BY THE EARL OF
DUNHAVEN.
_Photo. West & Son._]
[Illustration: FIG. 121. THE AUXILIARY SHIP-RIGGED YACHT “VALHALLA.”
1490 TONS. BUILT IN 1892.
_Photo. West & Son._]
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