Medicine Chest from RYS Yacht St George

English, c.1900, marked in red lettering 'S.Y.2ST. GEORGE", and marked with the brand 'TABLOID' to the top, marked to the inside lid ' Burroughs, Wellcome and Co., London' constructed of steel plate finished in green with gilt corners, with folding lid, wooden interiorfitted out with 35 of 36 bottles, each with labels and stoppers, width 39cm

Note: some bottles contain original contents so cannot be posted by Flints Shipping department. Buyer to arrange collection or own courier/shipping company.

Provenance: bought at Christies auction lot 43, 11 Jul 1997

The RYS yacht St George. She was built by Ramage and Ferguson of Leith in 1890 and was owned by Ernest James Wythes CBE (1868-1949) from 1890 until 1918. He was elected into tthe RYS in 1890 and remained a member until his death in 1949.

The following is an extract from a book "The Cruise of the St George, RYS to see the World" written by George Fyfe MD in 1893 about her cruise around the world:

"The St George is a three-masted auxiliary-screw steam yacht, and next to the Royal yachts is one of the largest and finest of the Royal Yacht Squadron, of which her owner is a member.

"She was built at Leith, by Ramage & Ferguson, from the design and specifications of a first-class yacht architect (Mr Strorey) for her owner's use (E.J. Wythes, Esq) and has cost about £50,000.

"The predominant idea in her construction has been to combine strength and sailing qualities and special adaption for navigation in distant seas, with elegance of yacht-like symmetry, and every home like convenience and indeed luxurious comfort for the sea-farers aboard of her.

"The St George is a hundred and ninety-two feet long and thirty-two feet beam, 1,000 tonnage, double bottomed of teak and steel, first-class engined, and with every thing in duplicate in case of break downs where repairs could not be effected; capable of steaming twelve knots an hour (sic) and of doing fifteen under canvas, for which she is specially rigged with arrangements for feathering her screw to favour her sailing speed; electric lighted all over and electric search light if at any time needed.

"As to our cabins they are like elegantly upholstered bedrooms, ten feet high and nearly twelve feet square, with marble baths and hot and cold water arrangements. "The saloon is thirty feet wide, well-lighted and ventilated, with open fireplace and overmantle, richly furnished, decorated and upholstered; has organ, piano, and well-selected library, chiefly travel, science, and fiction; as well as ample lounging and writing conveniences. "The reception and smoking room on the deck is in keeping with the saloon, and forms an elegant and luxurious lounge for wet days and evenings. The fact is, until we were rudely disillusioned by the "heasy-hosy" sensations of the choppy sea of the Atlantic, that we were soon to make the acquaintance of, we could readily beguile ourselves into thinking that we were not aboard at all, but living in an elegant home on shore.

"As to what I have jocosely called our "live stock" there are fifty-three all told, consisting of thirty-seven A.B.s and ship's officers, nine in steward's department, and seven gentlemen including the owner and myself. "Our table is an exceptionally excellent one in viands, wines, beverages, &c., as well as in the no less important matters of cooking and waiting.
"Add to all this that the owner is the kindest and most thoughtful of hosts, and his friends aboard excellent..."

The yacht was taken up for war service in March 1915 and renamed Oriflamme. She was then lent to the Director of the Naval Intelligence Division and based on the Humber, but nothing is known of her activities. She ceased her active service in June 1918 and, after being renamed Wallington, was used as a base ship on the Humber.