fitting that the Heir to the throne of the seas should be an
accomplished yachtsman. His first racing-yacht was the _Aline_ and his
next one, the _Britannia_, was for a time the most successful of large
racing-yachts. Many splendid cups and pieces of plate graced the buffets
of Sandringham and Marlborough and marked the victories of the Prince;
though any prize moneys won in this way were always handed over to his
Captain and crew as an addition to their already handsome pay.

His Royal Highness was a capital sailor. In returning from his Canadian
and American tour in 1860 his ship was driven out of its course by a
severe storm and so much alarm was caused by the delay that a British
fleet was sent out to search for it; but, different as were the
conditions of travel in those days, the Prince was not found to be any
the worse for his stormy experience. In after years when cruising along
the coasts of Europe, or traversing the Pacific and Indian oceans, he
met with many a storm and severe strain, so far as weather was
concerned, without effect. It is said, however, that he was troubled
somewhat by rough weather in the English Channel. As Commodore of the
Royal Yacht Squadron his patronage did very much in making the sport
popular and fashionable and in creating the Cowes Regatta as a great
yachting function. To this Royal Yacht Club every consideration in the
way of prizes was given and the Queen, the Prince, the Emperor William
of Germany, and Napoleon III. of France, offered prizes or trophies,
from time to time. As Commodore--which office he accepted in 1882--His
Royal Highness had as predecessors the Earl of Yarborough, the Marquess
of Donegal and the Earl of Wilton. The Vice-Commodore for many years was
the Marquess of Ormonde.

THE NAVY AND LOVE OF SHOOTING

On July 18th, 1887, the position of the Heir Apparent was recognized and
the Navy complimented through his appointment by the Queen as Honorary
Admiral of the Fleet. Some criticism was expressed in a portion of the
Radical press mainly, it was stated, through ignorance of the Prince's
real qualifications as both a seaman and yachtsman. Upon his accession
to the Throne no single action was more popular than King Edward's
retention of this latter title and the interest which he continued to
show in the Navy. His Majesty took as great interest in Sir Thomas
Lipton's efforts to win the America Cup as he had in the previous
attempts of Lord Dunraven. Sir Thomas