For myself, after yachting for nearly a quarter of a century, I can safely say that it has afforded me more unmixed pleasure than any other sport or amusement I have ever tried. Everything about it has been a source of delight to me--the vessels, the skippers, the crews, the cruises. I do not think I have ever felt dull or bored on a yacht, and even now, in the evening of life, I would willingly contract to spend my remaining summers on board a 200-ton schooner.
I fear that I can scarcely hope to contribute to the present volume of the admirable Badminton Series anything that is very new or original. Although my voyages have extended over a long period, and have carried me into nearly every navigable sea, I have for the most part followed well-known tracks. The seamanship, as practised in the 'Sunbeam,' has been in conformity with established rule; the navigation has been that of the master-ordinary.
It would be hardly fair to fill the pages of a general treatise with autobiography. As an introduction, however, to the remarks which follow, my career as a yachtsman may be summarised in the most condensed form.
Twelve voyages to the Mediterranean; the furthest points reached being Constantinople, 1874 and 1878; Cyprus, 1878; Egypt, 1882.
Three circumnavigations of Great Britain.
One circumnavigation of Great Britain and the Shetland Islands, in 1881.
Cruises with the fleets during manoeuvres, in 1885, 1888, and 1889.
Voyages to Norway, in 1856, 1874, and 1885. In the latter year Mr. Gladstone and his family were honoured and charming guests.
India, Straits Settlements, Borneo, Macassar, Australia, Cape of Good Hope, 1886-87.
Two voyages to the West Indies, 1883 and 1892, the latter including visits to the Chesapeake and Washington.
[Illustration: 'Sunbeam,' R.Y.S. (Lord Brassey).]
In 1889 the 'Sunbeam' was lent to Lord Tennyson, for a short cruise in the Channel. The owner deeply regrets that he was prevented by Parliamentary duties from taking charge of his vessel with a passenger so illustrious on board.
The distances covered in the course of the various cruises enumerated may be approximately given:--
_Distances sailed: compiled from Log Books_
+-------------------------------------------------------------+ Year | Knots | Year | Knots | Year | Knots | Year | Knots +-----+-------+------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ 1854 | 150 | 1864 | 1,000 | 1874 | 12,747 | 1884 | 3,087 1855 | 250 | 1865 | 2,626 | 1875 | 4,370 | 1885 | 6,344 1856 | 2,000 | 1866 | 4,400 | 1876 } | 1886 } 1857 | 1,500 | 1867 | 3,000 | 1877 } 37,000 | 1887 } 36,466 1858 | 2,500 | 1868 | 1,000 | 1878 | 9,038 | 1888 | 1,175 1859 | 2,300 | 1869 | 1,900 | 1879 | 5,627 | 1889 | 8,785 1860 | 1,000 | 1870 | 1,400 | 1880 | 5,415 | 1890 | 8,287 1861 | 800 | 1871 | 5,234 | 1881 | 5,435 | 1891 | 1,133 1862 | 3,200 | 1872 | 9,152 | 1882 | 3,345 | 1892 | 11,992 1863 | 900 | 1873 | 2,079 | 1883 | 13,545 | 1893 | 8,500 +-------------------------------------------------------------+
