Capsized Catamaran

Divers have been inspecting a capsized catamaran just off shore from the oldest dry dock in Plymouth at Mutton Cove. Washfords are leading the salvage operation. In the sixties and seventies multihulls became more popular in the quest to go faster on the water. Catamarans were built to exact and innovative designs and used synthetic and lighter, stronger materials. Competitive racing and catamaran challenges attempted to mirror the famous America's Cup Catamarans.

The statue standing beside the dock is known as King Billy and depicts William IV, third son of George III and younger brother and successor to George IV. He was the last king and penultimate monarch of the House of Hanover and a naval officer. He reigned from 1830 to 1837 and the figurehead came from a 120-gun warship, the Royal William. A fibreglass replica replaced the monument at the historic 1775 Mutton Cove Covered Slip Number One in the 1990s and the original wooden one has since been restored and is housed at Black Yarn Stores in Devonport Naval Dockyard. William IV also lent his name to the Royal William Yard originally the stores or victualling for the Royal Navy but now a successful urban redevelopment. An aircraft carrier may also be seen in the distance.