The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-22
KINGS YACHT
HILDEGARD
A FREIGHTER

New York, Dec. 22-The most famous
pleasure boat in the world, the bark
rugged auxiliary yacht Hildegard, whose
cabins and decks have been the scene
OF gay parties in which King Edward and
his guests, George Gould and his friends,
Howard Gould and his guests, and the
owners were the principal figures, Is
doomed TO the very bitter hunlilia-
ton OF being transformed into a common
ordinary freight conveyance on the Hack
ensack river.
Frank r. Loag Of Hackensack, N. j..
the well known bridge builder, and Ja-
cob T.. Swayze saved the boat from the
disgrace OF being sold at a public auc-
ton sale, and purchased her few days
ago for a sum less than $4,000.
She Is now tied TO the dock at Kauf-
mans pavilion at Little Ferry, ~. j., on
the Hackensack river.
BUILT FOR PRINCESS.
The Hildegard was built for the Prince
OF Wales at Lockport, England. in 1874.
1--WE had made up our minds to dis
mantle the Hildegard and reconstruct her
so as to carry on a general freighting
business" said Contractor Long to a re-
porter but we may change our minds
at the last minute.
There are so many romantic and his
torical associations connected with this
old boat: so many alleged sensational do
ings have been added to her record as
a racing yacht, and her career has been
so interesting to the public at large that
we do not care TO be responsible for wfp-
ing her out Of existence completely
"It is a big jump from the $4,000 pleas
ure craft OF the Prince OF Wales to a
freight vessel OF the crooked waters OF
the Hackensack river. and although she
is now our property for a small consider
alton we have some sentiment In the mat
ter
I'VE find the Hildegard with a 15-noot
draught. This is necessary TO control the
enormous sails, but the keel is too deep
for the Hackensack river. so that places
us In a little predicament in the start. We
will give the historic boat every consid-
GRAFTON. however.
II examined the boat yesterday ard
found everything in excellent condition.
Ii would be a shame TO break UP the hull.
which is make of Chinese teakwood and
mahogany. and win never rot under
water. The interior decorations and fur
nishings are new. so is the electric light
ing plant.
KINGS ONLY WINNER
I'm the card room is a table said to have
been used during the baccarat scandal.
when Lady Brooke was on board the
Hll0eKdIus ana pdib biy p'N0ussC VI hob
penings aboard the yacht she was called
the 'Babbling Brooke.
This feature alone makes the old boat
valuable as a curio.
The records also show that the Hide
gard in 1877 won a big yacht race and was
the only boat the king ever owned tnat
won a cup. II was the Queens cup, Of
fered by the Royal Yacht squadron"
George j. Gould once owned this yacht.
II was said he paid $4,000 for II. Then
Howard Gould cruised in her.
While in his possession on July 4, 1894.
there was premature explosion OF fire.
works at Larchmont and Frank ID. Now
bray. the steward. was seriously injured.
He aftcrw ard sued TO recover $4,000 from
Gould for injuries sustained.
In 1897 engines were put in her which
furnished a speed OF ten knots an hour.
Next was put In an electric light plant
and a s6 900 church organ owned by Mrs.
George Gould.
General b. NJ. Whitlock next owned the
Yacht. paying $2l 900 for her. Blakeley
Hall owned her for while, and then ten
bachelors. members OF the New York
Yacht club. fell into possession of the
pleasure palace and registered a vow that
no women should ever cross the gunwale
during the period OF their possession.