The Rt Hon W H Smith MP

The Rt Hon W H Smith MP
Title:The Rt Hon
First name:W
Middle name(s):H
Surname:Smith
Post-nominals:MP
Year elected:1880
Last year on list:1891
MembershipMember
The Rt Hon William Henry Smith, having made his fortune from the railway bookstalls, decided to go into politics. In 1877, surprisingly perhaps, he was made First Lord of the Admiralty. Consequently he was lampooned as Sir Joseph Porter by Gilbert and Sullivan in HMS Pinafore. He lost office when the Government fell, and having always been interested in the sea, in 1880 bought a yacht "Pandora" 500 tons with which he cruised extensively.

He was later Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.

His great grandson, David Acland, RYS Member 1959-date, has two fine paintings of the yacht flying the white ensign by de Simone.

Yachts Owned

NameRig ClassfromtoMMSI
Pandora Steam Ship 1881 1891  

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