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CLASSIC BOAT JUNE 2019
Peter Beckett’s offer to share the contents of an old family photo
album with the readers of Classic Boat shed new light on the story
of the Victorian Broads racing yacht Sayonara, which has sailed
on her native waters as Buttercup since 1928. The album once
belonged to Peter’s grandfather William (Bill) Beckett who owned
Sayonara before the outbreak of World War One. It depicts a
family cruise on Sayonara by Peter’s great grandfather,
Thomas Beckett, grandfather Bill and great uncles Arthur
and Edward, who were all in the drapery business in
Peterborough, not far from Thomas's birthplace
in Stalham, Norfolk. It is thought the majority
of these images were taken by Arthur.
The entire collection of images within Peter’s
treasured album spans the gamut of life on board
Sayonara, from racing to peeling spuds, swabbing
down the decks, several visits to the whisky cask lashed to
the lazarette and a priceless set showing the well known
Broadland character and duck hunter “Scientifi c” Fuller of
Rockland who would visit, chat, drink and sell a duck or two.
These latter photos help date the set to August 1913 thanks to the
calendar on display within Scientifi c Fuller’s houseboat. As such
these photos provide a fascinating glimpse into a lost world that
was about to be brought to an abrupt halt by the carnage of the
First World War.
SAILING
IN 1913
LARGE FORMAT
Arthur Beckett sets his
viewfi nder on the distinctive
church at Burgh St Peter
A complete photo album depicts cruising
on the Broads before World War One
UNDER SAIL
Sayonara under sail