Built most probably on one of the yards of the Dutch East India Company in Amsterdam, and donated to Charles II after his restoration to the throne.
Charles II made his journey from exile back to England partly by a yacht once owned by the Prince of Orange.
During the voyage on the yacht from Breda to Rotterdam the King expressed such an admiration for the yacht, that one of the Burgomaster (mayor) of Amsterdam Mr. Cornelis van Vlooswick pressed hem to accept a yacht as gift from the city of Amsterdam (most probably the VOC.)
She was commissioned in August 1660 under command of Captain John de Gens.
Tonnage 92 ton (bm), dim. 20.42 x 5.61m., length of keel 15.24m.
She had a shallow draught and had a pivoting leeboard on both sides.
Armament: 8 – 3pdrs.
Crew 30 maximum.
Her cabins were decorated with gold leaf, and her furniture was covered with the finest leather.
Carried as figure-head a “unicorn”.
She was the first yacht outside the Netherlands.
She was used by the King for pleasure and for racing.
The Mary was also used for errands and the transport of government officials.
25 March 1675 on a voyage from Dublin to Chester she grounded on the Skerries, south side under command of Captain William Burstow with on board 74 persons including the Captain.
39 Passengers and crew survived but 35 died under which the Earl of Meath and Captain Burstow.
The survivors were rescued after two days from the rocks by a vessel from Beaumaris.
July 1971 was the wreck discovered in a depth of 12.2 m water.
Netherlands Antilles 2010 200c sg?, scott?
Source: http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/explor ... ID=SLR0369 Shipwreck Index of the British Isles by Richard & Bridget Larn. British Warships in the age of Sail 1603-1714 by Rif Winfield.