Sir W. Reardon‑Smith and the Training Yacht Margherita

Arrival at Swansea Docks

William Reardon‑Smith

The arrival of Sir W. Reardon‑Smith, the veteran shipowner now nearing seventy years of age, brought a notable stir to Swansea Docks, where his distinctive yacht Margherita became an immediate object of curiosity and admiration. Long regarded for her fine lines and unmistakable character, she drew spectators to the quayside as she eased into the harbour, her presence lending a touch of maritime elegance to the busy port. For Swansea, a town deeply shaped by shipping and the fortunes of the sea, the appearance of such a yacht — and of Sir William himself — carried a certain symbolic weight, reminding onlookers of the long‑standing ties between the port and one of Britain’s most respected shipowners.

A Hobby of Training Boys for the Sea

Sir William’s visit was made all the more striking by the lively company aboard the Margherita. For many years he had taken a personal interest in training boys for a life at sea, believing that early discipline, practical seamanship, and exposure to the realities of maritime work could shape character and open doors to opportunity. On this occasion he travelled with twelve to fifteen spirited young lads, each clearly thriving under his mixture of firmness, humour, and genuine encouragement. Their presence brought a youthful brightness to the yacht and to the dockside scene, embodying Sir William’s conviction that the sea, properly approached, could be both a teacher and a path to advancement.

Further Background on Sir W. Reardon‑Smith

Born in Appledore, Devon, Sir William Reardon‑Smith rose from the humblest beginnings as a boy apprentice aboard sailing vessels to become one of the most influential shipowners of the early twentieth century. His formative years at sea instilled in him a deep respect for discipline, perseverance, and the transformative power of maritime training — values that later shaped both his business philosophy and his philanthropic work. By the early 1900s he had established the Reardon Smith Line, a major force in British cargo shipping, particularly in coal and grain, and his reputation for fairness, efficiency, and concern for the welfare of his crews earned him widespread admiration. During the First World War, his fleet played a vital role in sustaining Britain’s supply lines, and his services to shipping were recognised with a knighthood. Yet despite his commercial success, Sir William never lost his affection for the sea itself. Many of the boys who trained under him later recalled the experience as formative, remembering his blend of strictness, humour, and genuine interest in their futures. His ties to Swansea were long‑standing, the port being central to his shipping interests, and even in later life he remained a vigorous yachtsman, following regattas and maintaining an active presence in maritime affairs. His legacy extended into education and seafaring welfare, supporting institutions that promoted maritime training and opportunities for young people — a lasting reflection of his belief that the sea could shape character and offer a path to advancement.

The Yacht Margherita

Yacht Margherita

The Margherita herself had a distinguished pedigree. Built by Camper & Nicholson of Gosport in 1913–1914, she was originally conceived as a steel racing schooner, designed for speed, balance, and the graceful power characteristic of the firm’s finest work. Her long hull and sweeping sheer made her a favourite subject of the celebrated yachting photographers Beken & Son of Cowes, whose images capture her poised and purposeful stance under sail. Sir William acquired her in 1925, adapting her to serve both as the Reardon‑Smith family yacht and as a practical training vessel for the boys of the Reardon Smith Nautical School, founded in 1921. Although she had begun life as a 300‑ton boom‑spirit yacht, she was later altered and reduced to 150 tons, fitted with a powerful paraffin motor, and refitted internally to accommodate her new educational role without sacrificing her elegance.

Western Mail

Her arrival at Swansea in the summer of 1926 drew particular attention, and the Western Mail reported on the visit in June 1926, noting the unusual character of the vessel, the spirited company of boys aboard her, and the interest she aroused along the dockside. Each summer she undertook cruises along the west coast of Britain, carrying around twenty boys who learned sail handling, navigation, discipline, and the rhythms of life at sea. Sir William believed deeply that “the knowledge of seamanship gained on a sailing vessel cannot be acquired as thoroughly in any other way,” and the Margherita became the embodiment of that philosophy — a floating classroom where tradition and modernity met. Her blue ensign, unfurled against the clean lines of her hull, made her an impressive sight as she followed the regatta races along the coast, her movements combining the pleasure of yachting with the seriousness of maritime training. A surviving photograph held by Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales confirms her ownership period of 1925–1932, showing her under way with the unmistakable Camper & Nicholson profile: long‑hulled, balanced, and built for both speed and grace. Her sale in 1932, forced by the economic downturn following the Wall Street Crash, marked the end of an important chapter in the early history of the Nautical School, which thereafter lacked a dedicated training vessel until the mid‑1950s.