The Royalist
The Royalist (not to be confused with many Royal Navy ships of the same name) was a 142-ton topsail schooner probably built in Cowes in 1834 as a gentleman's yacht for Rev F.T.Lane, but purchased by James Brooke in 1836 with money he had inherited from his father. He intended to use it for an expedition to the East Indies in the course of a circumnavigation of the globe[1], in preparation for which he cruised in the Mediterranean in 1837[2]. As a vessel of the Royal Yacht Squadron[3][4] it was permitted to fly the White Ensign and be accorded the same rights as ships of the Royal Navy. When armed, with '6 six-pounders, a number of swivels, and small arms in abundance', it was effectively a private warship and was instrumental in Brooke establishing his foothold in Sarawak from his first visit in 1839 until becoming the first White Rajah of Sarawak in 1841. The Royalist is last heard of in Brunei in September 1843, and is said to have been sold early in 1844[5].
In modern Sarawak, there are several references to this well known ship, such as The Royalist Pub in Kuching.
References
- ↑ J.Roy.Geog.Soc.(1838),pp.443-448: Proposed Exploring Expedition to the Asiatic Archipelago by James Brooke, Esq.
- ↑ J.Roy.Geog.Soc.(1838),pp.129-134: Sketch of the Island and Gulf of Symi, on the South-western Coast of Anatolia, in February 1837. By James Brooke, Esq.
- ↑ [1], New Sporting Magazine (Jan 1841)
- ↑ [2], Guest and Boulton (1902) The Royal Yacht Squadron - Memorials of its members, ...
- ↑ Runciman,S. (1960), The White Rajahs
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