Prince Charles sailing Bloodhound
The classic 1930s ocean-racing yacht Bloodhound, owned
by Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip in the 1960s and aboard
which Prince Charles and Princess Anne learned to sail, was
purchased by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust in 2010. She
is usually on display alongside Britannia in Edinburgh as
part of the Royal Sailing Exhibition. During July and August,
Bloodhound sails to Oban, where she is available for a day sail
around the Western Isles, crewed mainly by former Royal
Yachtsmen from Britannia.
Experienced sailors
Members of the Royal Family, and particularly Prince Philip,
have always been keen sailors. Prince Philip owned
Coweslip, designed and built by the legendary Uffa Fox,
and was given the International Dragon Class Bluebottle as
a wedding gift. Bluebottle, skippered by the Sailing
Master Lt Cdr Graham Mann, was part of the British Olympic team for
the 1956 Melbourne Games and won a bronze medal. In fact,
Britannia's paint scheme was taken from this very same
racing yacht. However, as the Royal children grew older, Prince
Philip wanted a larger yacht, with sleeping accommodation, that
could undertake family cruises.
Glittering career
Built in 1936 by the famous Camper & Nicholsons yard in
Gosport, Bloodhound was one of the most successful
ocean-racing yachts ever built, winning scores of races in the
south of England and also crossed the Atlantic to compete in
Bermuda.
Cowes Week
On the back of this outstanding race history Bloodhound
was acquired by the Royal Family in 1962 and Prince Philip had much
success competing with her at the famous Cowes Week Regatta around
the Isle of Wight. During this sailing festival Britannia
hosted not only the British Royal Family, but members of other
Royal Families and many dignitaries.
Western Isles
During Royal ownership Bloodhound would also accompany
Britannia in the Western Isles when the Royal Family had
their one true family holiday every year. She had a permanent crew
of three and one Skipper was a descendent of Sir Francis
Drake. It was during these happy times that the young Royals
learned to sail on Bloodhound. When not in Royal use,
Bloodhound and her crew were made available to
yacht clubs across the country, used to teach thousands
of young people how to sail.
Beautifully restored
In 1969 Bloodhound was sold and not replaced by the
Royal Family. Bloodhound then effectively retired from
racing. Over time she gradually fell into considerable disrepair
and very nearly became beyond salvage. However in 2003 she was
purchased by Tony McGrail, a yacht surveyor and classic yacht
restorer. Over the next 3½ years she underwent a major internal and
external refit to bring her back to her original pristine
condition.
Find out
about a private day sail
on Bloodhound
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visit Britannia
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