The smack-rigged ship on the 31/2p stamp is a Royal yacht, and her wearing the King's Standard may show that she was carrying a British ambassador. She was possibly the first yacht ever built in England (for Charles II in 1660, by Peter Pett, Commissioner of the Navy)." Charles II had two yachts built and designed in England, the Catherine and the Mary. The latter was fitted with leeboard s like the Dutch yachts of the period; the Catherine was not but was described as "built frigate-like" by Evelyn. I am wondering if Monamy has shown both these yachts in the painting, for the yacht in the distance certainly has a frigate-like stern of the period.
The Catherine was 49 ft on the keel, with a breadth of 19 ft. and a draft of 7 ft. She was built by Peter Pett for the King at Deptford. The vessel is described as "low in the water carries 10 brass guns, and is so shaped and built that it can keep the sea. Sail, mast and gaff of the shape that is usual in this country. The stem is upright, after a new fashion, formed of a strong piece. "It is not tarred outside and the Irish timber of which it is made shows all the better its nature and ruddy colour which is agreeable to the sight; to tar this wood or to preserve it with paint or otherwise is not necessary, for it is the finest wood to be found in Europe, and resists all worm and rot.
SG115 Sea Breezes 11/74