Page:The history of yachting.djvu/177

Rh length of mast, and the height of freeboard, this yacht, answers the description of the Mary as to tonnage—she also carries 8 guns. Her hull, being foreshortened, renders it difficult to form an opinion as to her length. The drawing has no date or writing upon it, but all the facts tend to warrant the belief that this is an unfinished portrait of the Mary.

It is pleasant to reflect upon the fact of the young monarch turning out and going down the river "by five of the clock" on that August morning so long ago, eager to see his new yacht. It is also pleasant to know that there are many young yachtsmen to-day—and, for that matter, old ones too—who would do the same thing, or something very much like it; for what yachtsman has not felt a keen pleasure upon seeing his yacht for the first time, either building, fitting out, ready for sea, or after an absence from her; a feeling only less joyful than would be his delight at meeting the lady of his love.

The Admiralty Papers record on November 3, 1660, an "Estimate by Peter Pett of the charges of building a new yacht of eighty tons for the King at Deptford; total 1335 pounds sterling." This appears to be the first record of the use of the word "yacht " in English literature.

On November 8, 1660, Pepys records that, "In the afternoon Commissioner Pett and I went on board the yacht (Mary), which indeed is one of the finest things that I ever saw for neatness and room in so small a vessel, Mr. Pett is to make one