2-995-621 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Embarkation of the Prince of Wales in H.M.S. "Hero" at Plymouth for Canada, 1860. The future King Edward VII goes on a royal visit to North America - sailors manning the yards. 'The men-of-war were dressed with flags from stem to stern. Some distance outside the Breakwater was seen the Channel Fleet, with sails all set, and lighted up by the setting sun. At ten minutes after seven the entrance of the Royal yacht into the Sound was announced by a Royal salute from the Ariadne and the citadel...About half-past eight his Royal Highness embarked on board H.M.S. Hero (91 guns), Captain Seymour, C .B.; and at seven the following morning, accompanied by the Ariadne frigate, under salutes from the St. George and Emerald, the citadel, and a battery on Mount Edgcumbe, left the Sound. The Channel fleet at this time lay south west of the Eddystone, and about four miles off the port. As the Hero approached them they opened into two lines, and the Hero passed between them and took the lead with a fair wind down the Channel'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.