The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-04-17

S this the social Swan Song OF the head
/ of the Vanderbilt family? "For-SaIe-
the Steam Yacht Valiant"
IN England and America this most
ma gnlfcent Of floating palaces has been
advertised for sale-at $50, 900, though 1t
cost fully 100000, with its luxurious fit
tings, and IS still as seaworthy and as
perfectly appointed as when first
launched. some sixteen years ago.
In all that time the yacht Valiant has
held its record as the queen Of the world
pleasure regatta. Why should W. Is.
Vanderbilt, Sr., wish to sell it-and at
such a sacrifice? Why? The answer, IA
m!lar to the smartest society on both
sides of the Atlantic, is that the Valiant
has become a monument to too many
painful memories.
The period Of the building Of the Vail
ant corresponds with the period when the
social ambitions Of the former Mrs. w. K.
Nanderbit-now Mrs. O, II. p. belmont
were at their loftiest height. when she
had determined to entrench herself as I'M
doubted autocrat Of American society by
marrying her daughter. Consuelo. as near
TO the English throne as marriage could
place any girl not Of royal or at least,
OF noble blood,
The early voyages OF the Valiant more
than any other influences, threw Consueio
Vanderbilt and the young Duke Of MARI
borough into each others society, brought
the Duke 70 Newport for the courtsnip
which lifted Mrs. W. X. Vanderbilt
though separated from her husband-!nto
social leadership with powers and au-
thority at that time absolutely unique.
he 4'g -. -.,- -ff,rr u,
s.. Thomas Church, in New York, on
November 6, ! $50, which made her daugh-
ter a duchess of Great Britain and
mistress Of Blenhe!m. England's nobIest
Gucal palace.
With such a triumph in view, the
yacht Valiant was built and furnished
and embellished as no floating palace ever
WAS before. or has been since. That is
the credit side of the Valiant's ledger.
Now look al the debit side.
The Valiant's Debit Side.
The divorce 0; w. k Vanderbilt,
owing to differences which begun in 1892,
but eliminated on board the Valiant
three years later.
The American father and mother Of
an English Duchess unable to visit or to
receive her or her noble husband except
separately.
An American ducal mother-in-law and
father-in-law socially ignored by their
daughters sovereign.
The owner of the yacht Valiant find
ing his income reduced by 100000 a
year. settlement upon his Duchess daugh-
ter. and $3.50 900 yearly alimony TO that
Duchesss mother.
The marriage OF his former wife to
the guest on board the Valiant whose
presence there was largely respoAsible for
their final separation.
The additional drain upon W. K Van
oerbilt's income wherewith to restore
the glories of BlenheIm and establish the
Duke and Duchess In a London palace.
The rupture between the Duke and
Duchess which w. X. vsnderbilt's voy-
age on the Valiant to the Mediterranean
20 meet the Duchess was powerless to
patch up.
The scandal Of the separation OF the
Duke and Duchess of ELECTROMAGNETIC
Vanderbilt alliance with British royalty
gone to smash by-word In society all
ever the world
The grave matrimonial differences In
the family OF William K. Vanderbilt.
ia marriage hopefully and proudly
planned in tina hsydsy of the yacht
Naliants career
Add TO the foregoing the embarrass-
ments and complications and misfor-
BY The circumstances Of tho second