The 3rd Marquis of Donegall

The 3rd Marquis of Donegall
Title:The 3rd Marquis of
Surname:Donegall
Year elected:1825
Last year on list:1881
Elected as:Earl of Belfast
MembershipMember
Commodore1847-1848
Vice Commodore1827-1847
He was the Earl of Belfast throughout the time he owned his five yachts on the Squadron list, only inheriting the Donegall title in 1844, during his time as Vice Commodore.

He was the first Vice Commodore of the Club, and stood in as Commodore for only a year after the Earl of Yarborough died.  He remained a Member for another 33 years afterwards.

The family seat was Dunbrody House, near Arthurstown, County Wexford; it is now a hotel.

George Hamilton Chichester, 3rd Marquess of Donegall KP, GCH, PC  was styled Earl of Belfast between 1799 and 1844.   He was the eldest son of the extravagant George Chichester, 2nd Marquess of Donegall, by his wife Anna May, daughter of Sir Edward May.  After Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, he served as a Captain with the 11th Hussars.  He was MP for Carrickfergus, 1818-20, Belfast 1820-30, and Antrim 1830-41 before taking a seat in the House of Lords.  He served on the Privy Council, as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, and as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard. He was also Lord Lieutenant of Antrim from 1841 to 1883.
He was one of the most passionate and competitive yachtsmen of his day, and his rivalry with Joseph Weld and Thomas Assheton Smith resulted in spectacular challenges and personal clashes.  He was a brilliant Vice Commodore of the Squadron (1827-1847) but a divisive and unsuccessful Commodore (1847-8).  After selling his brig Waterwitch to the Navy in 1834 he never bought another yacht.

Yachts Owned

NameRig ClassfromtoMMSI
Therese Cutter 1825 1827  
Harriet Cutter 1825 1828  
Louisa Cutter 1828 1832  
Emily Brigantine 1830 1832  
Waterwitch Brig 1832 1834  

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