The Houseboats, West Mersea. Staying on HISPANIA. Another copy of this postcard was mailed 1955.
This card is used in Mersea Island by John Marriage, with the caption:
The houseboat HISPANIA was beached at West Mersea from 1935 until 1997. For some years, including 1938 when this picture was taken, she was made available as a holiday home for visitors. Later she became the permanent home of Alan Mole and his family. She was built in 1909 as a racing yacht for Alphonso, King of Spain, and in her prime was capable of carrying 4,000 square feet of canvas. She was raced until 1935 when she was brought to Mersea for conversion to a houseboat. Alterations included the removal of her huge wooden mast and lead keel and the addition of a large rectangular cabin on the deck. In 1997 the old boat was purchased by the Spanish government and removed to the south coast of England.

After a joint restoration by Fairlie in the UK and Asterilleros del Mallorca in Palma, Hispania yacht was relaunched March 2011 by current owner Fundacion Isla Ebusitana. [ www.charterworld.com ].
She was to be found competing in classic yacht regattas in the Mediterranean in 2013.

Built 1909, Astilleros Karrpard, Passages, designed by William Fife III. Owner H.M The King of Spain. [LRY 1914].
1935 Official No. 162545 Registered London, owners Patrick G. Egan and Lieut. R.C. Egan R.N. [LRY 1935]

Date: 1938