SOME ROYAL YACHTSMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 75, 24 April 1909, Page 4

SOME ROYAL YACHTSMEN.

KIXCi EDWARD'S PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE. The announcement that King Alfonso will allow some of his yachts to take part iu the races at Cowes this year recalls to mind the fact that most Euro'pean liionarehs are very fond of yachting and are the owners of magnificent vessels either for racing or cruising purposes. King Edward is particularly interested in yachling. and in the Alexandra he possesses one of the finest yachts of the day. Ilis Majesty has been a frequent visitor to Cowes in past years, and is an vxpcrienced yachtsman in every sense. The Queen shares with him his love for the sea, and she, too, has a practical knowledge of navigation. THE KAISEI! AS SKIPPER. Probably the most enthusiastic royal yachtsman, however, is the Kaiser; his 'fondness for the sport dates from his boyhood days, when he was taken for a short sail in a private gentleman's vessel. ''When 1 grow up to be a big man," lie said to his mother afterwards, "f am going to have lots of yachts—big ones, too!" And he has kept his word. His finest vessel is. of course, the llolienzollern, which has a speed of twentytwo knots. Simplicity, however, is the keynote of this yacht, and the Kaiser's own apartments on board are particularly free from gorgeous decoration. Wilhelm 11. is a fine sailor, and he himself often takes a hand at the wheel, lie has had more than one hairbreadth escape. On one Occasion when racing on one of his yachts the topmast was carried away, and came down close to the spot where lie was standing. The Kaiser has had many other tine yachts besides the llolicnzollcrn, among which niav be mentioned the Kai-eradler. the M.-teor. and the Princess Alice. . Ilis Majesty gives many prizes to he competed for at the Kiel and other regattas. The Kaiser's .brother, Prince Henry, is also a keen .yachtsman, and on one occasion he nf.-ed on the Ldiiua as a rival skipper against the Emperor, who steered the Meteor, which won the race. ' VKKSKUS THAT COST FORTUNES. ; The Tsar is in no way behindhand in his fondness for yachting, and he lias spent huge sums on various boats. The famous steam yacht. The Polar Star, which he formerly used, cost a million pounds, and she was one of the most beautifully decorated all - furni'-heil vessels in cxistenc.-. The Tsar is tile possessor of a number of sumptuous yachts, of which ihe finest are the Slaiulart. the Derjava. and the Tsarcona. The Standart is said to have cost C.)OI).IIOfl. and ill the decoration of this vessel the Tsarina took a personal interest. Probably the most magnificent yacht of all is that owned by the King of Siani. She is called the Maha-ChaUri. or "Most Iteantiful Craft," and cost more than the above-nientioiK-d I'olar Star. The Maliat'hakri is thoroughly armed, ami is ftiT-ni-licil iu the most sumptuous mairier that Oriental taste and imjenuily call devise.

SO.MK OTHKRS. 'Among other monarch* who go iu for yacht inn are the Kiag of Belgium, the Kimr of Greece, and King Maiioel of Portugal. Thi' late Kin-; Carlo.- of Portugal was also devoted to yachting, and frequently look'long cruises for the purpose of studying the interesting inhabitants of the sea. and for taking photographs and painting King Alfonso owns the fiiralda. which was sold about ten yearn ago to the Spanish (Jovernment; and his Majeslv is having a line new racing yacht built for him iu a Spanish shipbuilding yard. She is (0 lie caib'd the ilispauia, and when completed will be almost Ihe last word in ellieienev. U is somewhat unusual ft-r a foreign monarch to have his yacht built iu his own dominions, for most, of the linn-d royal yaelito of the world have be; 11 constructed either by English or Sco'tish shipbuilders. Naturally, the cost of royal cruises is very great., and im.narchs spend huge sums annually on the upkeep of their yachts. It is said, for instance, that when the Thar goes yachting it costs him nearly CIOOO a day. and although this may be an exaggeration. it cannot be so verv far oil' the mark.—M.A.P.