Lady Maurine anchored in Sai Kung Harbour
Riding at anchor in Sai Kung harbour is an iconic vessel. It’s the Lady Maurine, the yacht that ceremonially ferried new Governors from Kai Tak airport to the Central pier. Old-timers remember the days of colonial style when the new Governor would step off the Lady Maurine onto the pier resplendent in a white uniform with a cocked hat topped with white swan feathers. He would stride to the gubernatorial limo escorted by an aide-de-camp. A police superintendent, he wore a white uniform tunic, labels decorated with police badges, black cavalry trousers with a yellow stripe on each leg, black half Wellington boots, aiguillettes in silver and blue, and a helmet topped with ostrich plumes.
Chris Patten arriving in Central in 1992 aboard the Lady Maurine – without ostrich feathers
The Lady Maurine carried out her colonial role until the end of British Hong Kong in 1997. When the Grand Dame celebrated her 50th birthday in 2003 a party was held at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in her honour. She was berthed proudly at the dock, an original British Admiralty flag displayed on her side. The boat’s owner then was Yu Wing-woon, who spent $210,000 acquiring her and $2 million on restoration. During the seven-hour party hosted by Mr Yu photos were exhibited showing the Lady Maurine with the last Governors she served: Sir David Wilson, Sir Edward Youde, Sir Robert Black, Sir David Trench, Sir Murray Maclehose and last of all, Chris Patten, who declined when he arrived to wear gubernatorial uniform with cocked hat and plumes, preferring a business suit.
Sadly the Lady Maurine, named after Maurine Grantham, wife of the former governor Sir Alexander Grantham, goes nowhere these days; she just sits there gently rocking at her mooring in Sai Kung Harbour, doubtlessly remembering her days of imperial splendour. When you are passing on Tai Mong Tsai Road pause for a moment to admire the old dear, now 72, and give her a salute.
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