Royal Dahabiyas and Yachts

sent by Joe Rossano

Better late than never, this week, I learned what a "dahabiya" was. I am knee deep in translating a book, and an entire chapter was about this family's dahabiya, and I was grateful the author explained the word. Then, I received this from Joe, and thought to myself it was an uncanny coincidence. Nevertheless, I am happy to share this with all of you. 

 

Royal Yachts

Depending on how the term is defined royal yachts date back to the days of antiquity with royal barges on the Nile in ancient Egypt.

Later the Vikings produced royal vessels. They followed the pattern of longships although highly decorated and fitted with purple sails (purple sails remained standard for royal vessels the next 400 years).

In England Henry V sold off the Royal Yachts to clear the Crown's debts. The next royal vessels in England were built in the Tudor period with Henry VIII using a vessel in 1520 that was depicted as having cloth of gold sails. 

 

Royal Dahabiyas ('Golden Boat')  The Dahabbiyas are beautifully crafted wooden ships. Royal Dahabiyas, refitted, and now available for charter and deluxe Nile cruise.

 The Dongola

 

The dahabeya was built in approximately 1835, used by Egypt former royal families and later on celebrities of the 1950's era for pleasure trips. Because of its being painted in gold the Dongola and similar boats were called 'dahabeya' which means 'Golden Boat'. The Dongola is not air-conditioned .

Sample Suite on board the Dongola Dahabia

The Zaraffa, Previously owned by His Majesty Sultan H. Kamel, King Fouad's father

The First Sultan of Egypt after Egypt's independence from the Ottoman Empire after WWI)

Sultan Hussein Kamel was the son of Khedive Isma'il Pasha, who was ruler of Egypt from 1863 until 1879.Kamil was appointed Sultan of Egypt after the deposition of his nephew, Khedive Abbas by the British. Egypt was declared a British protectorate in 1914 at the beginning of World War 1

These moves brought to an end the nominal control of Egypt by the Ottomans

The dahabeya was built in the late 1800 's , fully restored with today's comfort , used by Egypt former royal families and later on celebrities of the 1950's era for pleasure trips. Because of its being painted in gold the Dongola and similar boats were called 'dahabeya' which means 'Golden Boat'. The Zarafa is air conditioned

Sailing on a dahabeya means exploring the Nile in a traditional style being able to enjoy visits of some unique places and monuments unattainable by modern cruise ships. Other memorable experiences are the BBQ on isolated islands or joining the 'chef' for green-grocery shopping in rural markets and villages.

The Dahabbiyas are beautifully crafted wooden ships, outfitted in colonial style with oriental and Egyptian touches. The interiors boast period furnishing, and each cabin has its own distinct style and interior .

The Kassed Kheir

Thorncycroft#1050 (1926) KASSED KHEIR Paddle steam yacht 237ft9in 480hp=9,17jts King of Egypt shipped in pieces

King Fuad of Egypt's handsome new yacht, the Kassed kheir. Built by John Thornycroft and Co Ltd, Southampton.

Le roi Fouad à bord du yacht royal Kassed Kheir

The luxury yacht "Kassed Kheir" of the former Egyptian King Farouk is now a hotel ship. The boat is anchored on the Nile  and  offers luxury accommodation and entertainment programs on board.

le Kassed Kheir au départ de Louxor

King Fouad 's Steamship : The Sudan

His Majesty King Fouad 's Steamship : The Sudan offers 21 state room including 5 suites

Built for King Fouad toward the end of the nineteenth century, it is no re-creation of the grand era, but the real thing, lovingly restored, and the last of its kind to cruise the great river. You’ll cruise as princes, kings, ambassadors and royal retainers once did, to ancient temples and villages bypassed by time. Perhaps you’ll be inspired as Agatha Christie once was, on this very ship, to write a great mystery.

The dahabeya was built in approximately 1900, the Royal Dahabbiyas were originally painted in gold and these Royal boats were called 'dahabeya' which means 'Golden Boat'. Each stateroom has two windows and has access to the promenade deck.

Four of the steamer five suites , located at the bow and upper deck , and the fifth " King Farouk" suite , is located at the bow ( main deck). Average square meter space for the cabin is about 20 - 23 square meter , suites are about 30 square meter .

The Sudan is faithful to its origins, with authentic fixtures and period furniture, rich woodwork, leather upholstery, brass bedsteads, paneled passageways, and wooden decks. Yet modern conveniences are integrated in the most sensitive fashion, including luxurious plumbing with large tubs, and air conditioning. Untouched since the glory days is service that anticipates every need and caters to every request.

Farida Suite on board the Steam Ship : The Sudan

Al-Amirat ( Princesses ) State Room on board the Steam Ship : The Sudan

King Farouk Steamship : The S/S Misr

Cabins are always : Upper decks

King Farouk 's Steamship : Misr ( Egypt) offers 16 state room and 8 suite 

Built for the Royal Navy towards the early years of the twentieth century : 1918 , implementing for the first time Stevenson Link reversing system for a vertical steam engine. The steamer was purchased and later converted into a luxury Nile steamer for King Farouk. it is no re-creation of this grand era, but the real thing , lovingly restored, among the last of its kind to cruise the great river.

One of the invitations cards that was found on board did read "on the occasion of celebrating the birthday of his majesty King Farouk I , The governor of Cairo requests the honor of your company on board the Misr Nile Steamer at 08 P.M. on February the 10th, 1939" . The name of that Nile Steamer ship "Misr" is the Arabic for Egypt and the interior decor reflects the style of the period with each cabin having its own individual style. Each Sailing is limited to 45 guests maximum .

The steamer is about 63 meters long and offer 24 cabins including 8 suites all are fully air-conditioned , all are with private facilities.Each stateroom has large panoramic window. The steamer offers eight suites , the suites are very much in demand , and it is first come , first serve, we regret that we do not offer any wait listing for the suites. Average square meter space for the cabin is about 18 - 20 square meter , suites are about 30 square meter.

 The main staircase on board King Farouk Steamer

 Sample cabins

The lounge

The bar and lounge 

The dining room

 

Of course if you don't care to travel with other people, and believe in the adage "He travels fastest who travels alone". You can always rent a rowing boat and go solo

SS MAHROUSSA

SS MAHROUSSA at Alexandria, Egypt, September 29, 1994.
Photo by and copyright Kevin M. Anthoney

The graceful 478 by 43 foot, 3,762 gt iron hulled SS MAHROUSSA was built in England for the King of Egypt and was the royal yacht until the monarchy was overthrown. At that time she was renamed EL HORRIA (AL HORREYYA) and has since served as a naval training ship and, off and on, as the presidential yacht. She is considered to be an historical shrine by the Egyptian Navy at Alexandria.

She was rebuilt in 1905/6 in Italy and became one of the earliest ships of any size to be fitted with steam turbines. Her greatest claim to historical fame is that, as the Egyptian royal yacht, she was the first ship leading* the procession through the brand new Suez Canal in 1869. Sometime in the latter 19th century, she was cut in two and had approx. 40' added to her length. She was recently reboilered in Alexandria.

When the Suez canal was opened in 1869, first vessel through was L'Aigle*, imperial yacht of Napoleon III of France. Right behind it was Mahroussa, the royal yacht of the Khedive of Egypt. Yacht is in this case a misleading term - Mahroussa was an ocean-going steamer, as big or bigger than many of the liners of its time. She was designed by Oliver Lang (designer of Queen Victoria's first steam yacht, the Victoria and Albert) and built in 1865 at their Poplar works on the Thames by the Samuda Brothers, who were among the pioneers of iron shipbuilding and beginning to specialise in ironclad warships. The original design had paddle wheel propulsion, but the ship was converted in 1905 to turbines and triple screws.

In 1976, at the age of 111 years, she steamed to New York to take part in the U.S. bicentennial celebration. The ship's condition is immaculate, and duty in her is considered a great honor in the Egyptian Naval Forces. EL HORRIA goes to sea about three times a year, usually just for the day.

* Which of the two was first?

Mahroussa aka. El Horria 1866–1951. Built for Isma'il Pasha, the Khedive of Egypt. She passed the Suez Canal during its opening. Lengthened twice, converted from paddle steamer to screws. Now serves as a school ship for the Egyptian Navy.
It was built by the Samuda Brothers on the River Thames and designed along the same lines as HMY Victoria and Albert II, and remained in service with the Egyptian royal family until
it had two significant alterations, being lengthened by 40 feet in 1872, with a further 16.5 feet being added in 1905. The 1905 rebuild was undertaken at the Pointhouse Shipyard of A & J Inglis in Glasgow, Scotland and included the replacement of its two paddle wheels with triple screws powered by steam turbines built by Inglis at their Warroch Street Engine Works in Glasgow. Inglis were one of the first companies to be granted a license by the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company Wallsend for the construction of steam turbines in their own works. Still in use in 2001 as a 'superyacht.

Le Mahroussa pavoisé pour transporter le roi d'Egypte en 1927. Courtoisie de M. Amr Talaat

 

La grande salle à manger d'apparât du yacht royal El Mahroussa en 1927. Courtoisie de M. Amr Talaat.

Arrivée en 1938 de la Reine-Mère Nazli en Iran acceuillie par l'impératrice Taj el Moulouk. les deux souveraines sont suivies par leurs enfants. Au second plan l'on aperçoit le Yacht Royal égyptien "Le mahroussa" qui est à quai.

Protocol in the Desert

By HP-Time.com

Monday, Feb. 05, 1945

In Yenbo bay the royal Egyptian yacht Mahroussa lay elegantly at anchor. From her graceful cutaway stern the royal Egyptian standard flapped idly in a Red Sea breeze. The rocky hills echoed with right royal salvos fired in salutation between ship and shore. Smart young King Farouk of Egypt had come to call on wise old King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia.

Onto the Mahroussa's immaculate deck stalked the eldest of Ibn Saud's 40 sons, a dozen of his dignitaries. King Farouk inclined his plump person in a cordial bow. Then they all went ashore, where a city of silken tents had sprung up overnight. For the first time ever, massive, majestic Ibn Saud, absolute ruler of the biggest, near-medieval Arab state, and King Farouk, ruler of the wealthiest, most progressive Arab state, exchanged the traditional obeisances of greeting. The two sovereigns had long been rivals for the leadership of still unborn Pan-Arabia.