Diksia.com - Britannia yacht is a term that refers to the former royal yacht of the British monarchy, which was in service from 1954 to 1997. It was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660, and the second royal yacht to bear the name Britannia. The first was a racing cutter built for the Prince of Wales in 1893. Britannia yacht was a symbol of the British royal family and a witness to many historic events and ceremonies. It travelled more than a million nautical miles around the world, visiting over 600 ports in 135 countries. It also hosted many dignitaries, celebrities, and heads of state, as well as the royal family’s personal holidays and honeymoons. In this article, we will explore the history, features, and current status of Britannia yacht, and why it is considered a royal legacy.
History of Britannia Yacht
Britannia yacht was built at the shipyard of John Brown & Co. Ltd in Clydebank, Dunbartonshire. It was launched by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 April 1953, and commissioned on 11 January 1954. The ship was designed with three masts: a 133-foot foremast, a 139-foot mainmast, and a 118-foot mizzenmast. The top aerial on the foremast and the top 20 feet of the mainmast were hinged to allow the ship to pass under bridges. Britannia yacht was also designed to be converted into a hospital ship in time of war, although this capability was never used. In the event of nuclear war, it was intended for the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to take refuge aboard Britannia yacht off the north-west coast of Scotland.
Britannia yacht sailed on its maiden voyage from Portsmouth to Grand Harbour, Malta, departing on 14 April and arriving on 22 April 1954. It carried Prince Charles and Princess Anne to Malta in order for them to meet the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the end of the royal couple’s Commonwealth tour. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh embarked on Britannia yacht for the first time in Tobruk on 1 May 1954.
Britannia yacht served as the royal yacht for 43 years, during which it undertook 968 official voyages. Some of the most notable ones include:
- The Queen’s first Commonwealth tour in 1953-1954, which covered 40,000 miles and 13 countries.
- The Queen’s visit to the Soviet Union in 1973, the first by a British monarch.
- The Queen’s Silver Jubilee tour in 1977, which included visits to Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands.
- The handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, which was Britannia yacht’s last official voyage.
- The royal family’s personal holidays and honeymoons, such as Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 1986.
Britannia yacht was decommissioned on 11 December 1997, in a ceremony attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and 12 senior members of the royal family. The Queen shed a tear as the royal standard was lowered for the last time, marking the end of an era.
Features of Britannia Yacht
Britannia yacht had a tonnage of 5,769 gross tons, a length of 412 feet, a beam of 55 feet, a height of 123 feet to the top of the mainmast, and a draught of 15 feet. It had a propulsion system of two Pametrada steam turbines, generating 12,000 horsepower, and a speed of 21.5 knots. It had a range of 2,400 nautical miles, and a capacity of 250 guests. It had a crew of 21 officers and 250 Royal Yachtsmen, who were volunteers from the general service of the Royal Navy. It also had a detachment of Royal Marines, and a contingent of Royal Marines Band members who embarked whenever Britannia yacht was on duty away from home port.
Britannia yacht had five decks, each with different functions and features. The decks were:
- The Sun Deck, which was the uppermost deck and had a sun lounge, a veranda bar, and an admiral’s bridge.
- The Boat Deck, which had the ship’s wheelhouse, the captain’s cabin, the royal apartments, the drawing room, the dining room, and the veranda.
- The Promenade Deck, which had the state entrance, the state drawing room, the state dining room, the ante room, the royal bedrooms, the royal lounge, and the children’s quarters.
- The Main Deck, which had the officers’ mess, the officers’ cabins, the sick bay, the cinema, the laundry, the bakery, the galley, and the pantry.
- The Lower Deck, which had the engine room, the boiler room, the generator room, the workshop, the storerooms, and the crew’s mess and cabins.
Britannia yacht was furnished and decorated with elegance and simplicity, reflecting the Queen’s personal taste and style. It had a mixture of modern and traditional elements, such as chintz fabrics, polished wood, brass fittings, and paintings and photographs of the royal family. It also had some unique features, such as a Rolls-Royce Phantom V car on board, a garage for the Queen’s personal Rover, a floating garage for a launch boat, and a mini post office.
Current Status of Britannia Yacht
After its decommissioning, Britannia yacht was transferred to the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, a registered charity that operates and maintains the ship as a visitor attraction and an events venue. Britannia yacht is permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal, Leith, in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it attracts over 300,000 visitors each year.
Visitors can tour all five decks of Britannia yacht and learn about its history, features, and stories through audio guides, exhibits, and displays. They can also enjoy homemade soups, sandwiches, and cakes, along with specialty teas and coffees, in the Royal Deck Tea Room, which was formerly the officers’ mess. They can also shop for souvenirs and gifts from Britannia yacht’s online gift shop, which offers a range of products, such as books, clothing, jewellery, and food.
Britannia yacht is also available for hire for private and corporate events, such as weddings, receptions, dinners, and conferences. It can accommodate up to 450 guests, and offers a variety of catering options, entertainment, and services. It also has a luxury hotel, the Fingal, which is a former lighthouse tender that was converted into a 23-cabin boutique hotel, moored next to Britannia yacht.
Britannia yacht is a royal legacy that preserves and showcases the history, culture, and traditions of the British monarchy and the Royal Navy. It is a unique and memorable attraction that offers a glimpse into the life and times of the royal family and their former floating palace.
Britannia yacht is more than just a ship. It is a symbol of the British royal family and a witness to many historic events and ceremonies. It is also a museum, a tea room, a gift shop, an events venue, and a hotel. It is a royal legacy that deserves to be visited and appreciated by anyone who is interested in the history, culture, and traditions of the British monarchy and the Royal Navy. Britannia yacht is a must-see attraction for anyone who wants to experience the royal lifestyle and the royal history.
