Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
One thing I am absolutely certain of is that yacht designers in days of yore really had an eye for beauty, and designed yachts for their beautiful lines and aesthetic appeal. No so today I am afraid.
Which is why I am happy to share Frank Robb’s story of ‘Verona’ – a real and delightful beauty judging by the photo of her sailing. Robb wrote: “The news of the untimely death of Mrs. Mary Rogers, of Somerset West, on board her lovely three-masted schooner ‘Verona’ at Malta brings back mixed memories for me. This ship was once the pride of Durban Bay, and she was the largest yacht on which I ever served- about 300 tons of perverse beauty.
“There seems to be something about these big, powerful, classic yachts that appeals to South Africans. In view of the small population, a disproportionate number of them have been owned by fellow-citizens – A. W. Flitton with ‘Cariad’ and T. B. Davies with his magnificent schooner ‘Westward’ immediately spring to mind.
“‘Verona’ is one of the famous yachts. Originally she was built for Mr. Singer (of sewing machine fame) regardless of cost at a time when fine design, the best materials and pride of workmanship were allied as never before or since – and even to-day, her lines and the quality of the shipwright’s work remain to evoke admiration for an ideal which can scarcely be repeated again.”
This is another delightful story of a beautiful yacht from days of yore.
READ IT ALL HERE: 1961 05-06 – SA Yachting – verona – OCR
