3-065-939 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Departure of the Emperor of Russia in his yacht from Gravesend, 1874. Alexander II leaves England. 'The Imperial yachts Derjava and Livadia and the Russian corvette Vitiaz lay in the middle of the Thames. The river was crowded with yachts, schooners, steamers, and boats...The scene on the river was extremely fine. The sun shone, the east wind rippled the water, so that its little waves glistened like silver...the Russian and English flags were flying on all sides. The music of the Russian National Anthem, played by the Marines' band on board the Triumph, could be just heard by those ashore. The guns of the ships thundered a salute...and the seamen and spectators cheering meanwhile...Steam was quickly got up, and at half-past three the Derjava slipped her moorings and steamed slowly down the river, followed by the Livadia and the Triumph. His Imperial Majesty stood on the paddle-box as the yacht moved away. He waved his flat cap repeatedly to the people on shore, who replied by waving their handkerchiefs and hats, and by cheering lustily...It was about a quarter past six in the evening when the guns of the Channel squadron thundered England's farewell to the Emperor of Russia'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.