Lot 29: Peter Monamy (British, 1681-1749)

The Royal Yacht 'Carolina', with King George I aboard, returning to England during a stormy crossing in 1726
signed 'P.Monamy' (lower left)
oil on canvas laid down onto board
78.7 x 111.7cm. (31 x 44in.)

During his short reign from 1714-27, George I - or 'German George' as his new subjects constantly referred to him - made regular visits to his home in Hanover at a time when continental travel was almost unknown amongst the sovereigns of Europe. In twelve years, the King made six such journeys home to Germany and when he returned to England on the last of these, in January 1726, the weather was so stormy that his yacht "Carolina" and her escorts were unable to get up the Thames estuary. After three highly uncomfortable days at sea, the royal flotilla finally hove-to off Rye where, to the astonishment of the town's inhabitants, the King disembarked onto the beach and continued overland to London.

Built at Sheerness in 1700 and originally named the "Peregrine Galley" after her designer Peregrine, Lord Danby, the "Carolina" was specifically refitted as a royal yacht at Deptford in 1716 at which time she was renamed in honour of the new Princess of Wales, later Queen Caroline, the consort of George II. The first royal yacht to be ship-rigged, she was 197 tons burden and measured 87 feet in length with a 22½ foot beam. Armed with 20 cannon and 12 swivel guns, her sumptuous accommodation was fitted at the time of her conversion in 1716 and she was the largest royal yacht then in commission, remaining so until 1749 when the new "Royal Caroline" was launched.

A very similar but less detailed version of this work is known to exist elsewhere in commerce, as are various versions of the work depicting the King's landing on Rye beach. Monamy also painted another fine view of "Carolina" returning home from a later visit to Hanover in 1729 with George II aboard which is held in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace.