EAST DONYLAND​ / ROWHEDGE

 

AGREEMENT AND ACCOUNT OF CREW - YACHT

G.R. & R.O. Received 25 Jan. 1897

Name of Yacht; CARIAD

Official Number; 105513

Port of Registry; Southampton

Port No. And Date of Register; 53 in 1896

Registered Tonnage; 74  68/100

Nominal Horse Power of Engines (if any); Sail

Name of Owner; Earl Dunraven

Address of Owner; Adare Manor, Co. Limerick

No of Seamen for whom accommodation is certified; 14

[Handwritten insertions are in italics]

The Several Persons whose names are hereto subscribed, and whose descriptions are contained below, and of whom – blank – are engaged as Sailors, hereby agree to serve on board the said Yacht, in the several capacities expressed against their respective Names, until the said Yacht shall be paid off. From Southampton On a Yachting cruise to any Ports or Places in the Mediterranean. Black, Red, White and/or Baltic Seas & Countries adjacent the Continent of Europe & the United Kingdom Voyage not to exceed Six months & to end in the United Kingdom.

And the said Crew agree to conduct themselves in an orderly, faithful, honest and sober manner, and to be at all times diligent in their respective Duties, and to be obedient to the lawful commands of the said Master, or of any person who shall lawfully succeed him, and of their Superior Officers, in everything relating to the said Yacht, and the Stores thereof, whether on board, in boats, or on shore: in consideration of which Services to be duly performed, the said Master hereby agrees to pay to the said Crew as Wages the Sums against their names respectively expressed, and to supply them with provisions according to the Scale on the other side hereof  And it is hereby agreed, That any Embezzlement, or wilful or negligent Destruction of any part of the Yacht’s Stores, shall be made good to the Owner out of the Wages of the Person guilty of the same: And if any person enters himself as qualified for a duty which he proves incompetent to perform, his Wages shall be reduced in proportion to his incompetency: And it is also agreed, That if any member of the Crew considers himself to be aggrieved by any breach of the Agreement or otherwise, he shall represent the same to the Master or Officer in charge of the Yacht in a quiet and orderly manner, who shall thereupon take such steps as the case may require: and it is also stipulated that the Seamen shall receive the advances of wages entered herein against their names. And it is also agreed, That any Man guilty of misconduct shall be liable to be discharged by the Master at any port in Great Britain or Ireland. That the voyage shall be considered as terminated when the said Yacht is paid off. And it is also agreed, that The clothes provided by the Owner are Yacht’s Stores But will be given to each member of the crew when the said Yacht is paid off Provided he conducts himself to the satisfaction of the Master. Any member of the crew being paid off previously by reason of misconduct or otherwise shall forfeit the same No member of the crew allowed on shore without permission from Master or Officer in charge Any member of the crew found smuggling shall be liable to instant dismissal & forfeit all wages due.

Every AB & 2nd Steward who conducts himself to the satisfaction of the Master shall receive Three shillings per week conduct money when discharged.

 

In Witness whereof, the said parties have subscribed their Names on page 4 hereof, on the days mentioned against their respective Signatures.

Signed by Dunraven, Master, on the 27th  day of March 1896.

 

Date of Commencement of Voyage: 27.3.96

Port at which Voyage commenced: Southampton

Date of Termination of Voyage: 16 Oct. 1896

Port at which Voyage terminated: Southampton

Date of Delivery of Lists to Superintendent: 21/1/97

I hereby declare to the truth of the Entries in this Agreement and Account of Crew, &c. [signed] Dunraven, Master.

 

Signatures of crew, Age, Nationality, Port of engagement address & Home address, Ship in which he last served, and year of discharge therefrom, Date and Place of signing this Agreement, Capacity, Amount of wages per week, Date of discharge, Balance of wages paid on discharge, Signatures on release.

[All men signed 27 March at Southampton (except Chas. Cook), due on board “At once”, discharged from previous ship in 1896, discharged 16 October 1896 (except W. Lewis). All men except Dunraven were from Essex]

 

Dunraven, 55, - , House of Lords, London, 1896 Valkyrie, 27 March Southampton, Master, Agreement, 16 Oct. Southampton Discharged, Agreement.

B. Smith, 41, Essex, Albion St Rowhedge Essex, L’Esperance, Sailing Master, Agreement, £5. 19/-

David Lever, 40, Albion Street Rowhedge Essex, Idyuna, AB, £1.6/-, £5.19/-

John Fale, 27, Alma Street Wivenhoe Essex, Valkyrie, AB, £1.6/-, £5.19/-

Edward Percival, 28, Wivenhoe, Mary, AB, £1.6/-, £5.19/-

Ed. Roper, 26, Chapel Street Rowhedge Essex, Valkyrie, AB, £1.6/-, Deserted

Harry Dyer, 25, Albion Street Rowhedge Essex, Lady Rosa, AB, £1.6/-, £5.19/-

William Lewis, 40, East Street Tollesbury, Volant, AB, £1.6/-, Discharged 19 July

H(?) Green, X, 31, West Street Wivenhoe Essex, Valkyrie, AB, £1.6/-, £5.19/-

A. Smith, 22, Queen’s Road Wivenhoe, Coromandel, AB, £1.6/-, £5.19/-

E. Goodrum, 45, Southernwood Rowhedge, L’Esperance, Steward, £1, 14/- Week Board, 1/-

W.J. Scarff, 19, Albion Street Rowhedge, Wild Rose, 2nd Steward, £1, £6.2/-

Thomas Baker, 43, 1 Station Road Wivenhoe Essex, Kinlock, Cook, £1.10, 14/- Week Board, £2.4/-

John Clark, 34, 1 William Walk Colchester, L’Esperance, Mate, £1.12/-, £6.5/-

Chas. Cook, 29, Hamilton Villas Wivenhoe Essex, Aries, AB, £1.6/-, £3.5/-

 

THE TIMES - Tuesday 14 January 1896 - “At the present time there is a numerous fleet of British yachts in foreign waters, while many others are either fitting out or under orders for commission. The Mediterranean is, as usual, the favourite cruising locality, and the international regattas along the French Riviera, which commence on February 29 at Marseilles and run on to nearly the middle of April, are likely to attract more racing yachts than competed at the meetings held last year. Included among the foreign-going fleet above referred to are.... Ailsa, cutter, 283 tons, Mr. A. Barclay Walker; Britannia, cutter, 221 tons, the Prince of Wales.... Cariad (new), cutter, 150 tons, Lord Dunraven.... Fedora, s.s., 358 tons, Duke of Montrose....  Merrythought, yawl, 73 tons, Mr. C. Quentin.... Vanadis, s.s., 333 tons, Mr. H. O’Hagan....”

 

THE HAMPSHIRE TELEGRAPH - 25 January 1896 - “The new yacht Cariad, built to the order of Lord Dunraven, will be fitted throughout in a way quite distinct from the internal arrangements of the modern racer. Her cabins will be furnished in white enamel with tapestry panels, while everything will be done to ensure the comfort of those on board. For winter work the Cariad is to be rigged as a ketch, but she will probably be altered to a cutter for summer cruising.”

 

THE YACHTSMAN - 3 March 1896 - “SOUTHAMPTON - The Earl of Dunraven’s new big cruising cutter, Cariad, is nearly ready for commission. Captain Smith, late of L’Esperance, takes command of her.”

 

THE YACHTSMAN - 5 March 1896 - “NOTES & NOTIONS - The ex-skipper of L’Esperance will have charge of his lordship’s fine new cruiser, Cariad, some of the crew of which will help to race the 52-footer Audrey throughout the season.”

 

THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS - 7 April 1896 - “LORD DUNRAVEN’S NEW YACHT - .... the Cariad, which is ketch-rigged, is now (says the “World”) in Southampton Water awaiting her sailing orders. The Cariad is painted white, and is a very handsome vessel.”

 

THE LEEDS MERCURY - 29 May 1896 - “The Swansea Royal Regatta Committee have decided to invite the yachts Satanita, Ailsa, Lord Dunraven’s new yacht Cariad, and other first-class yachts to compete with the Britannia for a cup, value 100 guineas, on July 25th.”

 

THE BELFAST NEWS-LETTER - 5 August 1896 - “THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON - [Isle of Wight] Yesterday the club began its regatta with a handicap match for the Queen’s Cup, but the entries were small, and, as there was but little wind all day, the racing could not be pronounced a great success..... Cariad also entered but did not start.“ Entries were - Britannia, Meteor, Mohawk and Hester (skippered by Jonathan Cranfield of Rowhedge). Mohawk won, Hester second.

 

THE MORNING POST - 6 August 1896 - “THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA - .... Match for schooners and yawls of 40 tons, Thames measurement, built in Europe, belonging to a European Yacht Club, being a bona-fide cruiser, and not for yachts which generally race in handicap races. First prize, the German Emperor’s Cup, with 2nd and 3rd prizes added by the Club. Entries:- Foxglove, yawl, 51 tons, Sir John Burgoyne; Speranza, yawl, 101 tons, Mr. E. Revett; Freda, yawl, 120 tons, Mr. Wyndham Cook; Merrythought, yawl, 73 tons, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Corisande, yawl, 160 tons, Earl Cowley; Anemone, yawl, 96 tons, Mr. J. Haggas; Cariad, ketch, - tons, Lord Dunraven; Waterwitch, schooner, 159 tons, Mr. W. Nicholson; Gwendoline, schooner, 82 tons, Mr. H. Van Laun.

Course, from Cowes, round the Lymington Spit Buoy, thence round the Bullock Buoy, back to Cowes; distance, 50 miles. The handicap was:- Cariad allowed Corisande 13min.; Waterwitch, 15min.; Freda, 15 min.; Anemone, 30min.; Foxglove, 35min.; Speranza, 45min.; Merrythought, 50min.; and Gwendoline, 60min. The 2nd prize to go to a yacht of a different rig to that of the winner of the 1st prize, and the 3rd prize to follow the 1st prize.

Anemone took the lead, and maintained it all day, sailing a very good race, with Freda second and Corisande third for most of the time.... Anemone (first prize) 3h.41m.46s; Cariad 3h.43m.48s; Corisande 3h.47m.11s; Waterwitch 3h.51m.50s; Speranza (third prize) 4h.5m.4s; Merrythought 4h.23m.50s; Gwendoline (second prize) 4h.31m.13s.”

 

THE TIMES - Tuesday 11 August 1896 - “YACHTING - ROYAL LONDON YACHT CLUB REGATTA - Owing to a legal flaw in the will of the late Captain Charles Nottage, the bequest of a prize to the Royal London Yacht Club was declared to be invalid, but in its place Lady Nottage gave a cup to be competed for, and a good entry was made. Nine representative yachts of the cruising class started yesterday and an undeniably good handicap was made. In the first round the result was as open as well could be, but in the  latter half a backing of the wind to the westward gave one of the stern boats such a lift up that she won very easily. The Gwynfa, which was the lucky boat, was built many years ago at Cowes for Mr. Exshaw, a well-known French merchant…. It was plain sailing almost throughout, but in a beat home from Lepe to the winning line there were life and interest in the struggle for mastery and several changes in position. Lady Nottage, it may be said, was a spectator from the club balcony of the leading features of the race. Details follow:- CRUISERS’ HANDICAP for yachts of not less than 20 tons gross register belonging to members of any Royal or recognized yacht club. First prize, a piece of plate value £30, presented by Lady Nottage; second prize, £15, presented by the Royal London Club. Course from Cowes Roads round the East Stourbridge buoy, East Bramble buoy, and East Lepe buoy, returning to Cowes Roads, twice round - 36 miles.

The Hester allowed Namara (Cutter, 102 tons) and Maid Marion (Cutter, 72 tons) 10min.; Creole (Cutter, 54 tons) 14min.; Columbine (Yawl, 81 tons) 15min.; Anemone (Yawl, 95 tons) 39min.; Cariad (Ketch, 129 tons, Lord Dunraven) 41min.; Hirondelle (Yawl, 71 tons) 60min.; Gwynfa (Cutter, 57 tons) 64min.; and Gwendolin (Schooner, 62 tons)  73min.

The start was made at 10.30 in a fine fresh northerly wind, and Creole in a lee berth reached first through the line, Hester, Namara, Cariad, Maid Marion, and Anemone being actually overlapping. The only blot in the start was the poorly-judged distance of the Hirondelle and the Gwendolin. It was a reaching breeze to the East Stourbridge, and the wind was puffy enough to bring down the topmast of the Hirondelle off the Peel and the jibboom of the Gwendolin was flying away off the Motherbank. It was a pretty race along the wind to the East Stourbridge, and the timing was - Hester 11h.10m.0s, Namara 11h.10m.43s, Anemone 11h.12m.30s, Cariad 11h.13m.20s, Maid Marion 11h.13m.43s, Creole 11h.13m.58s, Gwynfa 11h.17m.0s, Hirondelle 11h.18m.32s, Gwendolin 11h.20m.40s.

The fleet came along the wind in Indian file past Cowes on to Lepe, and the only change was that Lord Dunraven’s cruiser went through the lee of the Creole. From Lepe they came with the wind on the side home, and the finish of the first round follows:- Hester 12h.15m.31s, Namara 12h.17m.5s, Maid Marion 12h.22m.15s, Anemone 12h.24m.17s, Cariad 12h.25m.38s, Creole 12h.25m.53s, Gwynfa 12h.48m.9s, Gwendolin 1h.20m.18s.

The last named two gave up. In sailing the last round there were some heavy puffs, and all the vessels were ploughing along in fine style. It was a desperately heavy soak of tide, and from Lepe to Cowes was a hard bore. On the last round there were no changes in positions, but as the wind was shortening it looked like a good coming-home fight. Hester had to beat over every inch of the ground from Lepe to Cowes, and was twisted about four times before she was able to weather the line. Namara, Maid Marion, Cariad, Creole, and Anemone were far more lucky, as they made a tack less, and better still the Gwynfa laid right through, and scored an undeniably lucky victory. The timing follows:- Hester 2h.35m.7s, Namara 2h.35m.48s, Creole 2h.42m.54s, Anemone (second prize) 2h.49m.6s, Cariad 3h.2m.4s, Gwynfa (winner) 3h.6m.42s.

It may be said that on the handicap allowance the order of merit was - Gwynfa, Anemone, Cariad, Namara, Creole, Maid Marion, and Hester, the Hirondelle and Gwendolin having given up.” [Hester skippered by Capt. Jonathan Cranfield of Rowhedge. Another account in The Standard (London) 11 August 1896.]

 

THE WESTERN TIMES - 23 September 1896 - “LOCAL NEWS - Lord Dunraven is at Dartmouth in his yacht Cariad.”

 

 

1897

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 8 January 1897 - “ROWHEDGE - Capt. B. Smith and crew left here on Monday last, to fit out Lord Dunraven’s ketch Cariad.”

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 9 January 1897 - “SOUTHAMPTON YACHTING NEWS - The Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven, is being fitted out for a southern voyage, and is at Summers and Payne’s, Southampton, getting ready for sea. She remains under ketch rig, but the mainmast has been shifted and also reduced in diameter, as for her first commission last year the spar was worked up stout enough to carry a cutter-boom.”

 

30 January 1897 - “The Cariad, ketch, the Earl of Dunraven, still remains at the yard of Summers and Payne, Belvidere, awaiting her sailing orders.”

 

6 February 1897 - “.... under orders for the Mediterranean, still remains at the Belvidere yard of Summers and Payne ready for sea.”

 

13 February 1897 - “.... sailed on Thursday for the Mediterranean.”

 

20 February 1897 - “....  [Cariad] which cleared from Southampton last week for the Mediterranean, returned to the Itchen on Thursday.”

 

6 March 1897 - “.... having completed her repairs at the Belvidere yard of Summers and Payne, has gone off the Royal Pier to await her sailing orders.”

 

PALL MALL GAZETTE - 10 March 1897 - “YACHTING - Though no sailing orders have yet been received on board the Earl of Dunraven’s cruiser the Cariad, there is every probability that by this day week the big ketch, with his lordship on board, will be under weigh, on a voyage of about six weeks’ duration, her destination in all probability being the Straits of Gibraltar.”

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 13 March 1897 - “SOUTHAMPTON - On the station : Cariad, ketch, the Earl of Dunraven, (Commodore Castle Yacht Club).”

 

20 March 1897 - “.... [Cariad] has left Southampton for Plymouth, where her owner has joined her, en route for the Mediterranean.”

 

17 April 1897 - “SOUTHAMPTON - .... [Cariad] has returned here from a cruise to the westward, and remains awaiting further sailing orders. Lord Dunraven has left London for Adare Manor for the Easter vacation.”

 

PALL MALL GAZETTE - 19 April 1897 - “YACHTING - The Cariad, Lord Dunraven’s ketch, which left Southampton about three weeks ago for a cruise, has returned to the big southern port, Penzance having been her last place of call.”

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 1 May 1897 - “SOUTHAMPTON - The yachts at the station include the Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven.”

 

15 May 1897 (Also 22nd and 29th May) - “SOUTHAMPTON - The yachts on the station include the Cariad , ketch, and Audrey, cutter, Earl of Dunraven.”

 

2 June 1897 - “THE GERMAN EMPEROR’S JUBILEE CUP - Up to Monday night the entries for the German Emperor’s Jubilee Cup were as follows:- Edwina, yawl, 65 tons; Gwynfa, cutter, 57 tons; Speranza, yawl, 101 tons; Corisande, yawl, 160 tons; Cetonia, schooner, 203 tons;  Asterope, schooner, 161 tons; Freda, yawl, 120 tons; Jullanar, yawl, 120 tons (skippered by Ben Barnard of Rowhedge); Lady Ruth, yawl, 47 tons; Merrythought, yawl, 73 tons (skippered by Charles Simons of Rowhedge); Creole, cutter, 54 tons; Amphitrite, schooner, 161 tons; Caress, cutter, 67 tons (skippered by William Wadley Cranfield of Rowhedge); Ariadne, schooner, 380 tons; Cygnet, yawl, 57 tons; Sibyl, cutter, 45 tons; Goddess, ketch, 176 tons; Cariad, ketch, 129 tons; Anemone, yawl, 96 tons.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 4 June 1897 - “SOUTHAMPTON - The Cariad, 120-ton ketch, has left Southampton for Kingstown, where her owner, Lord Dunraven, and party will join her for a cruise.”

 

PALL MALL GAZETTE - 4 June 1897 - “YACHTING - As we stated the other day, the Earl of Dunraven’s Cariad will take part in the Dover to Heligoland race for the cup presented by the Emperor of Germany. Previous to leaving Southampton for Queenstown the big ketch was measured, for the purpose of ascertaining her exact rating. Though the Cariad can be converted into a cutter, she will sail in the Jubilee contest as a ketch and under cruiser trim. Captain Smith is in command, except when the earl, who has qualified as a sailing master, is on board.”

 

THE [PORTSMOUTH] EVENING NEWS - Wednesday 16 June 1897 - “YACHTING - The Cariad, Lord Dunraven, which has just returned from Ireland, is under sailing orders for the German Emperor’s Jubilee Race.”

 

Cariad did not take part in the Jubilee race.

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 19 June 1897 - Southampton - “The yachts on the station include the Cariad , ketch, Earl of Dunraven.” Still here on 3rd July, 10th July, 17th July, 24th July.

 

PALL MALL GAZETTE - 13 July 1897 - “YACHTING - The Cariad, Lord Dunraven’s cruiser, is under sailing orders to leave Southampton on Saturday. Previous to starting, she will go upon the grid-iron at Summers and Payne’s yard for a scrub down, for of late there has been a very considerable quantity of long weed prevalent in Southampton Water, where the yachts are at their moorings.”

 

THE EVENING TELEGRAPH [Angus] - Tuesday 3 August 1897 - “YACHTING AT COWES - To-day, according to annual custom, is devoted by the Royal Yacht Squadron to one match, and that for the blue ribbon trophy of the yachting fraternity - the Queen’s Cup. A spanking sailing breeze from the south-east promises a good day’s sport. There were six starters, and the yachts were sent to the eastward over a 50-mile course at ten o’clock. The Britannia was first to cross the line, Cetonia followed, then Lorna, Meteor, Arethusa, Corisande, and Cariad. Cetonia and Arethusa passed the winning side of the playboat, and lost seven minutes in correcting the mistake. The fleet crossed on the starboard tack, after which short boards were made in order to work free of the Cowes crowded roads. Corisande and Cariad took to the Northern Channel, while Britannia and Meteor worked under the lee of the island shore.”

 

THE EVENING TELEGRAPH (Angus) - Wednesday 4 August 1897 - “ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON - Another day with scarcely any wind ushered in the regatta of the leading Yacht Club of the world. The Queen’s Cup was won yesterday by Britannia after a most uneventful race, in which she and Meteor practically sailed alone, the other competitors being so far astern that they might as well never have started so far as the racing was concerned. The Cetonia and Arethusa got over the line too soon,  and had to return. Whilst doing so, Cetonia ran down a small boat with Mr. Kirk, the photographer, on board. Mr. Kirk had to climb on board by the bobstay, and so had a day’s unexpected racing, as there was no time to land him. The race between Meteor and Britannia was close enough, as the latter only won over the shortened course by under two minutes on the reduced time allowance....” Entries were - Meteor, Britannia, Lorna, Arethusa, Cetonia, Corisande, and Cariad. The course was from Cowes round to Bullock buoy, then back round the Lymington Spit buoy to Cowes. Distance - 50 miles. The handicap was as follows:- Meteor allows Britannia 16min.; Cetonia, 33min.; Lorna 52min.; Corisande 61min.; Cariad 65min.; and Arethusa 85min.”

[Only Britannia, Meteor, and Lorna completed the course]

 

THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS - Wednesday 4 August 1897 - “YACHTING AT COWES - The second day’s proceedings of the Royal Yacht Squadron’s regatta at Cowes to-day were not likely to be any more interesting than those of yesterday, owing to the absence of wind. There were two races, one for the crack cutters and the other for the cruisers of the cutters.... [for the latter] Merrythought, Creole, Namara, Maid Marion, Amphitrite, Anemone, Seabird, Latona, and Cariad. These were started over a long course to the Bullock in the east and Lymington in the west.... “ No mention of Cariad. [Namara beat Maid Marion and Creole]

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 14 August 1897 - “The Cariad.... arrived at Scilly on Thursday....”

 

2 October 1897 - “SOUTHAMPTON - Summers and Payne have hauled.... Cariad....”

 

THE MORNING POST - Friday 29 October 1897 - “MARRIAGE OF THE KNIGHT OF GLIN AND LADY RACHEL WYNDHAM-QUIN - The marriage of Desmond FitzJohn FitzGerald, Knight of Glin, with Lady Rachel Wyndham-Quin, eldest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Dunraven, took place yesterday at noon in Adare Church, Limerick. The Bishop of Limerick performed the ceremony....”  Then follows an extensive list of hugely expensive wedding gifts to the bride.... gold and silver, antiques, jewels, household items, ornaments,  etc, and....  “Mr. Goodrum, steward of the yacht Cariad, silver-mounted paper cutter.”

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 30 October 1897 - “SOUTHAMPTON YACHTING NEWS - .... At the Belvidere yard the Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven, and Audrey, 20 rater racing cutter, belonging to the same owner, have been hauled up side by side....”

 

 
1898

 

THE STANDARD (LONDON) - Wednesday 4 May 1898 - “The Earl of Dunraven leaves town to-day for his yacht Cariad in which he will proceed to Lisbon in order to be present at the celebrations in honour of the navigator Vasco da Gama, at which he has been deputed to act as representative of the Royal Geographical Society.”

 

THE STANDARD (LONDON) - Thursday 5 May 1898 - “The Earl of Dunraven has entered his yacht Cariad in the race for the Vasco da Gama Cup, at the Regatta to be held at Cascaes on the 15th inst.”

 

THE TIMES - Monday 9 May 1898 - “YACHTING - Lisbon International Regatta, which will form part of the Vasco da Gama celebrations on the 15th inst., is not likely to attract many British yachts. Lord Dunraven’s ketch Cariad, of 79 rating, which left the Solent on Tuesday last, will be a competitor in the principal sailing event.”

 

THE TIMES - Monday 16 May 1898 - “THE VASCO DA GAMA CELEBRATIONS - LISBON, May 16.- The festivities in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of India by Vasco da Gama began to-day, although the official inauguration is fixed for the 17th and four days’ public holidays have been decreed from that date. To-day there was an international regatta, and a fair was opened, which is one of the principal sights in connexion with the fetes.  Whole streets in the centre of the city and many in the outskirts are profusely decorated with garlands of paper flowers and thousands of flags of all colours and nations except British, which, as usual on such occasions, are conspicuous by almost complete absence. Illuminations are also very extensive and costly, whole streets being covered with gas jets, and the city presents the gayest appearance imaginable. The whole combined effect is that of an immense village fete.

Six of her Majesty’s ships from the Channel Squadron arrive to-morrow. Ships from Italy and the Argentine Republic are also expected. The following are already here:- The Dagmar, Denmark; the Oldenburg, Germany; the Pothnau, France; the Kaiser Franz Josef I, Austria-Hungary; the Saga, Sweden. Two large Russian ships also arrived this afternoon.”

 

THE STANDARD (LONDON) - Monday 16  May 1898 - “The King of Portugal on Saturday invited the commanders of the nine foreign warships now lying in harbour at Lisbon to come on board the Royal yacht Adamastor with him to witness the Cascaes Regatta in connection with the Vasco da Gama fetes. The Vasco da Gama Cup was won by Lord Dunraven’s Cariad, which beat the King’s yacht Lia. Six British war vessels are expected at Lisbon to-day.”

 

THE STANDARD (LONDON) - Wednesday 1 June 1898 - “COWES - THE RETURN OF THE CARIAD - The Earl of Dunraven, who has been attending the Vasco da Gama celebration at Lisbon as the representative of the Royal Geographical Society, has just arrived at Cowes on Monday in the yacht Cariad, bringing with him the Vasco da Gama Challenge Cup, won by him at the recent international regatta, which in accordance with the conditions of the race he handed over to the Royal Yacht Squadron, to be held by that body subject to the challenge of any yacht club. The cup is a very handsome trophy in tazza form, supported by a cluster of arcaded medieval triple columns springing from an hexagonal base, and designed after the model of the cloisters of the monastery at Belem, which was erected by King Manuel as a thank-offering on the return of Vasco da Gama from India. The top of the tazza represents in high relief the fleet of Vasco battling with the waves of a stormy sea. The cup is a very fine reproduction of the best period of Portuguese art. After depositing the Cup at the Royal Yacht Squadron Castle, Lord Dunraven proceeded to London”

 

PALL MALL GAZETTE - Wednesday 1 June 1898 - “YACHTING - THE RACING AT COWES - .... Lord Dunraven’s fine ketch Cariad was in the roads, much envied as the winner of a handsome cup at Lisbon, where she had distanced all rivals....”

 

THE TIMES - 20 June 1898 - “MATCH FOR THE GERMAN EMPEROR’S  HELIGOLAND CUP - .... Lord Dunraven’s Cariad will not be a starter owing to the vessel having been chartered for a term....”

 

THE CORNISHMAN - Thursday 28 July 1898 - “PENZANCE - The fine yacht Cariad, belonging to the Earl of Dunraven, is now hired to Mr. D’Oyley Carte. Mr. Carte is an invalid and many who saw him on board the Cariad at Penzance felt deep sympathy for the gentleman who for so long “staged” the joint productions of Gilbert and Sullivan with such success.”

 

THE STANDARD (LONDON) - Friday 12 August 1898 - “The Earl of Dunraven left town yesterday for a cruise on his yacht, the Cariad.”

 

THE DEVON AND EXETER GAZETTE - 6 October 1898 - “The Earl of Dunraven has returned to town, after cruising round the West Coast of Ireland in his yacht the Cariad.”

 

 

1899

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 18 March 1899 - Southampton - “The Cariad, ketch, the Earl of Dunraven, which is fitting out....”

23 March - Southampton - “Ways are being laid down for the launching of the Cariad, ketch, the Earl of Dunraven, which has had new copper.”

1 April - Southampton - “The firm [Summers and Payne] launched the Cariad, ketch, this week, and she is fitting out for her owner, the Earl of Dunraven.”

22 April - Southampton - “Fitting out at the Millstone Point yard are.... Cariad, ketch....”

29 April - Southampton - “On the station: .... Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven (Commodore Castle Yacht Club).”

Still there 27th May, 10th  June.

24 June - Plymouth - “...the Cariad, ketch, Lord Dunraven, sailed ....” [Tuesday]

 

ROYAL CORNWALL GAZETTE - 29 June 1899 - “LOCAL GOSSIP - Falmouth has had in its harbour recently more than the ordinary number of yachts. Latest arrivals include the Cariad, the Earl of Dunraven, from Fowey....”

 

THE ISLE OF WIGHT OBSERVER - 22 July 1899 - “ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUB - Arrivals - .... July 19th - Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven.... Departures - July 20th - Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven....”

 

THE ISLE OF WIGHT OBSERVER - 29 July 1899 - “ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUB - Arrivals - .... July 24th - Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven....”

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 12 August 1899 - Southampton - “On the station: .... Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven (Commodore Castle Yacht Club).”

 

SHIELDS  DAILY GAZETTE  - 25 August 1899 - “For some little time back Mr. G.L. Watson has enjoyed a well-earned yachting holiday as the guest of the Earl of Dunraven on the Cariad. The Cariad’s cruise at this time has been confined largely to the waters of the West of Ireland.”  [G.L. Watson designer of Valkyries I, II and III, the German Emperor’s Meteor I, Britannia, etc]

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 14 October 1899 - “The Earl of Dunraven has returned to London from Adare Manor, county Limerick, for the opening of Parliament. His yacht, the Cariad, ketch, arrived at Southampton on Thursday.”

 

21 October - Southampton - “Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven, has gone into the yard of Summers and Payne.”

 

 

1900

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 3 February 1900 - “.... in the sale list.... Lord Dunraven’s ketch, Cariad....”

 

30 June - “The Cariad, ketch, belonging to the Earl of Dunraven, has been hired by Mr. D’Oyley Carte, and is fitting out at the Belvidere yard of Summers and Payne.”

 

7 July - Southampton - “Among the yachts on the station are.... Cariad, ketch, Mr. D’Oyley Carte....”

 

THE ISLE OF WIGHT OBSERVER - Saturday 14 July 1900 - “ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUB - Arrivals - July 7th - .... Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven.... Departures - July 9th - .... Cariad, ketch, Earl of Dunraven....”

 

HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER - 1 September 1900 - “DARTMOUTH ROYAL REGATTA - The annual regatta at Dartmouth was commenced on Thursday.... In the match for sailing cutters belonging to yachts in harbour Fiona (Mr. G Neilson) was first, Norseman (Mr. S.R. Platt) second, Matador (Admiral Bembridge) third, Cariad (Mr. D’Oyley Carte) fourth.”

 

THE WESTERN TIMES - Monday 3 September 1900 - “DARTMOUTH ROYAL REGATTA - Private sailing match between the cutters of the yachts Matador, Admiral Bainbridge, and Cariad, Mr. D’Oyley Carte. Matador had long the best of the start going up the harbour with a fine breeze, while Cariad lay becalmed on the line. For the first round Matador held a long lead, but going down the second time Cariad was favoured with a slant, and pulled up. The difference at the finish was only a few seconds. Times:-

Matador (winner)  3.0.30.  3.33.55

Cariad 3.4.55.  3.34.20”

 

In 1900 Cariad was sold to a Mr. Miller