THE BUILDER'S MODEL FOR H.M. KING VICTOR EMMANUEL III OF ITALY'S PRIVATE STEAM YACHT IELA, 1914, ORIGINALLY BUILT AS S.Y. RANNOCH, 1902, BY RAMAGE & FERGUSON

the 40in. carved and laminated hull with bilge keel, propellers, portholes, carved stern and finely carved female figurehead with trail boards, boarding companionway, lined and lacquered decks with gilt and silvered fittings as appropriate including anchors on davits with studded chain, bell, companionway, anchor winch, deck lights, ventilators, panelled passenger accommodation with grab rail, wood and gilt brass binnacle, stove light, bridge and overbridge, with helm, telegraph and chart table, awning stanchions, stayed funnel with safety valve extension pipe and hooter, wood capped deck rails, six fitted boats swung-out in davits including steam launch, capstan, racks, masts with standing and running rigging and other details, mounted on raised plush-lined plinth on two ebonised supports with original glazed mahogany case on an associated stand with carved scrollwork legs with castors and shaped apron, measurements including stand -- 72 x 71 x 20in. (183 x 180 x 51cm.); together with a framed set of four black and white photographs of the yacht and some of her interiors

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An archetypal product of the golden era which spawned her, Iela was originally named Rannoch when she was designed for Mr T.V. Smith of London by Cox & King in 1902. Built at Leith by Ramage & Ferguson, she was registered at 546 tons Thames and measured 184ft in length overall, with a 26-foot beam. Powered by her builders’ own 3-cylinder engine, she was rated 100A1 by Lloyd’s Register and had the sleek lines which typified her breed. By 1912, she had passed into the ownership of Mr Gerard Craig Sellar of Cromwell Road, London but, at the end of that year, he put her up for sale and she was purchased by H.M. King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, and thereafter kept in Naples. He already owned a smaller steam yacht, also named Iela (329 tons) and built in 1891, and initially kept both for his personal use until the Italian state acquired an official yacht, Savoia II (ex-Citta di Palermo) in 1925. Even though the King used her a great deal, he also made considerable use of his two personal yachts throughout his reign, the older Iela having been disposed of before the commissioning of Savoia II. In 1939 the King sold his beloved Iela to Mario Pesce, sadly she was bombed and sunk by Allied aircraft on September 9th, 1943 at Secche della Meloria, a tiny island off Livorno.

Condition Report

Fine overall condition throughout.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.