When in 1897 King Chulalongkorn (or King Rama V) of Siam (Thailand) visited 14 European states, he made the voyage on board the Royal yacht MAHA CHAKRKRI or also given as MAHA CHAKRI.
During this voyage she carried a crew of 291 men including an orchestra of 25 men.
He visited also the Tsar in his Peterhof palace in St Petersburg
She was built as a yacht but classified as a light protected cruiser with a ram bow under yard No 114 by Ramage & Ferguson, Leith, Scotland for the Royal Thai Navy.
27 June 1892 launched as the MAHA CHAKRKRI.
Displacement 2,500 tons, dim. 88.39 x 11.99 x 4.19m. (draught)
Powered by triple expansion steam engine, 3,000 ihp., speed 15 knots.
Bunker capacity 250 ton coal.
Armament: 4 – 4.7 inch, 10 – 6 pdr
Crew 318.
September 1892 completed.
In Thailand was she also used as a Nautical Academy when not used by the King.
1916 Stricken and sent to Japan in 1917 for scrapping and to remove the engine and other usable parts for a new built Royal yacht under construction by Kawasaki Shipbuilding Co in Kobe.
She was not scrapped as many sources give but refitted in a cargo vessel.
The Otago Daily Times give for 10 January 1918.
“The Royal yacht of Siam (Thailand) the MAHA CHAKRKRI which had been lying at anchor at Kobe for more than a year has been purchased for 1,300,000 yen, and is undergoing repairs at Kobe. She is 4,201 tons deadweight and has been renamed the TAIKO MARU.
She has been chartered by Messrs Suzuki and Co. Kobe, and is intended for the Australian service.”
1918 Was she bought by Nansho Yoko Goshi Kaisha, Amagasaki, Japan refitted in a cargo vessel, renamed TAIKO MARU.
1921 Sold to Naviera Layetana, Barcelona, Spain, renamed in LAYETANA.
09 June 1921 on a voyage from Helva to Bordeaux loaded with iron ore she foundered off Faro, Portugal.
Russia 1997 1500 r and envelope. Thailand 1997 2B and envelope.
Source: Internet. Mr Gennadiy Sitnikov. Register of Merchant Ships completed in 1892.
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz Dictionary of disasters at Sea during the age of Steam by Charles Hocking.