LUXURY YACHT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1933, Page 8

LUXURY YACHT

MILLIONAIRE’S NEW PURCHASE

EARL OF INCHCAPE’S ROVER

lying in Falmouth Harbour recently was a wonder vessel, the 2000-ton yacht, Rover. It was owned by the late Earl of lnchape. A few months ago it was brought by Mr Reward Hughes, a young . American millionaire without having seen it. 'Mr Hughes is the tall and slim and brilliant young man who inherited a vast business, the Houston Tool Corporation, arid went into film producing without losing his fortune. When he spent some • £BOO,OOO on “Hell’s Angels” Hollywood magnates said he was crazy. But he is still making films —and “Seal-face” is an indication of their quality—while most of the “wise guys” are out of business. “I,had a yacht in America and arranged to sell it and buy Lord Inchcape’s Rover.” Mr Hughes said in London lately. ‘I had never seen the Rover, but bought it on the blueprints, photographs and the reports of Lloyd’s surveyors. My experience is that the English are the most honest race in the world.

“Well, the sale an America went wrong and I had two yachts oil my hands. But a month ago I got rid of my American boat, and as soon as I bail find time I, plan to go to Falmouth and take a look at the Rover. 1 even thought of bringing her into the Thames, but after looking at a lot of wharves and mooring-places I find there is no plape suitable.

'Mr, Hughes said ..lie had promised not to mention 1 the price, hut he said that it was, more that, the figure his interviewer mentioned, £60,000. The. Rover is one of the largest yachts in {he world, and the most luxurious ever built on the Clyde. When the Queen visited it some time ago she remarked that. Lady Inchcape’s boudoir was on of the most beautiful rooms she bad ever seen afloat. t

Lord Inchcape planned the yacht, bujb it was his wife who arrnged the decorations. The boudoir has windows instead of portholes, rose-tinted walls and ol,d gold furniture. The. dining room is an oblong'apartment with two long tables, at which sixteen people can be seated in' comfort. The decorations are modern,' and not unduly ostentations, but the carpet is so thick that no footsteps can be heard.’

Lord in.chc'ape > a 1 mutable hard worker, had a study fitted with every modern appliance, - with. a. secretary’s room next door • and, like all the rooms on board, it has diffuse lighting. Nearly all 'the rooms have three portholes, and each has.;a private bathroom with a marble floor, and silver fittings. The rooms are panelled and each has a telephone connected with private exchange, v,- . Mr Hughes .'stated that . he had bought the Rover as a substitute for a. summer home. It. will carry, he says, about a dozen ■ guests and a crew of thirty.