Sail Number: D 5 / ESP 1
Vessel Type: 15 Metre Class Racing Cutter
LOA: 99’0″ / 30.2m – LOD: 76’0″ / 23.2m – LWL: 49’0″ / 14.9m – Beam: – 13’9″ / 4.2m – Draft: 9’6″ / 2.87m – Displacement: 40 tons – Sail Area: 2,777 sq. ft. / 258 sq. m – Original Name: Hispania – Original Owner: The King of Spain, S.M. King Alfonso XIII – Designed by: William Fife III – Launched: Monday June 21, 1909, at 1800 hours – 4,000 people gathered in Pasajes (Spain) – Built by: Karpad de Pasajes – Hull Material: Mahogany planking 42 mm thick, over steel and elm frames – Homeport: Puerto Sherry
Historical:
International 15-Metre HISPANIA, was designed by William Fife III, built by Karpad de Pasajes of Spain for the Spanish King H.M. Alfonso XIII. With over 4,000 people in attendance she was launched on Monday June 21st 1909, at 1800 hours.
Hispania participated in international regattas and celebrated many a triumph while promoting Spanish bays as one of the world’s main centre stages for sailing and water sports. The First World War interrupted the competitions. In 1916 it was acquired by a Norwegian ship owner and in 1936 it returned to England where it was almost abandoned. The English navy seized her and all the ship’s metal items were removed to be melted as war material. Later it was acquired by an English merchant and used as a floating home in England until 1998.
Her glorious days as a racer and the memory of her royal background slowly vanished as she was cast into oblivion and used as a floating home in England over the last 30 years. When Dr. William Collier, a Classic Yacht historian, and Jonathan Syrett of Camper & Nicholsons International, patron founder and member in charge of the International Relations of the Real Fundación Hispania, sought and found the yacht, she was in an almost deplorable state, with a missing keel and her hull buried in the mud.
Their unique “discovery” was immediately reported to Emilio Espinosa, the President, and José R. Bono, Public Relations and member in charge of Sponsorships, who traveled to the United Kingdom specifically to examine the boat, with the determination of buying, restoring and returning her to Spain for a re-launch on the regatta scenes and assign her the noble duty of training young navigators. This is how a strong urge to rescue the yacht from total ruin cropped up, and eventually HISPANIA was bought, transported to Fairlie Restorations in The Hamble, England, for full hull refit and later returned to Spain for her complete restoration and aesthetic work in Astilleros de Mallorca.
So far eleven long years of struggle and over 3 million euros have been spent on HISPANIA’s reconstruction before introducing her back into society, but her recent public presentation has made every effort worthwhile. HISPANIA’s recovery and revival are now a reality and a valuable achievement for all to share.
The Return of Hispania
On Saturday 18th of August 2007 the Real Fundación Hispania gathered numerous celebrities and guests in a remarkable celebration to praise the true essence of its existence, the return of HISPANIA. Whoever attended the event with a general knowledge of HISPANIA’s background could well observe this was a story of pride, passion and heritage, three ingredients which enhanced the yacht’s natural distinction to an almost sentimental uniqueness.
In a praiseworthy presentation the Real Fundación Hispania guests and attendees finally witnessed the long-awaited re-launch of a fully restored HISPANIA making a glamorous entrance into the Muelle de Golondrinas to a heart-throbbing opera session of Carmina Burana. A well-patterned blend of lights, sounds and performances designed an exhilarating ambience to complement the historical occasion while HISPANIA was escorted towards her audience for appraisal.
In all its sequences the presentation raised a series of emotional moments. Distinguished personalities, devoted seamen, general public and her unconditional saviors joined to share a sole purpose in a symbolic act to honor HISPANIA’s return from Rags to Riches after her several years of costly reconstruction. Throughout the act HISPANIA’s royal roots provided the touch of innate splendor in her general appearance while her magnificent restoration work, illuminating mastery and sacrifice, earned her vigorous applause and profound admiration.
Hispania sails under the harbor of Puerto Sherry which is also its port base and where most of its crew comes from. On board Hispania, there is a crew of 19-20 people very necessary and very trained to handle a surface of sail that can reach 500m2.
Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):
Owner: (1909) – King H.M. Alfonso XIII
Comments</h3
Christin Castberg Bråthen – May 19, 2021
Hello
You are writing on this page that this beautiful boat was owned by a Norwegian ship owner in a period from 1916. The man was the father of my grandfather, and his name was Jørgen Theodor Stang, called I.B. Stang. I have some photos from my grandmother showing young lucky people. Did You know this? I am living in Norway, and writing a familiy book. I hope it is OK that I use some photos and the description?
Perhaps You want some photos back from me?
Best regards Christin Castberg Bråthen