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Show THE FIRST KNOWN YACHT. Dutch Vessel Built In 1660 la the Earliest Recorded. Though vessels answering to tho chnractor of yachts wero In uso by royal personages from nn early date Queen Elizabeth, for Instance, had ono built at Cowos, Isle of Wight, In 1588 tho word "yacht" was not used until un-til 1C60, when tho Dutch presented a "Jacht," nnmed the Mary, to Charles II. In Evolyn's diary, under Oct. 1, 16G1, occurs tho entry: "I sailed this morning with his majesty In ono of his yachts, vcssols not known among us till tho Dutch East India company presented that curious piece to tho king, being very excellent sailing vessels." ves-sels." Yacht racing commenced In 1662, when Charles II., who had somo yachts built for him by Sir Phlneas Pett, wagered ?500 that a yacht of his wouldbeat a Dutch ono owned by his brother, tho Duke of York, afterward James II. But tho growth of yacht sailing was slow and It Is not until 1720 that an authentic record of a yacht club is found, In which year the Cork Harbor Yacht club now known as the Royal Cork Yacht club was formed. |