28 MAY 2005, Page 21

Seduction at sea

From Christopher Chetwode Sir: In his article about Lord Cardigan and D.H. Lawrence (And another thing, 21 May), Paul Johnson wishes that there was a book about the great steam yachts.

Published in New York in 1970, The Steam Yachts: an Era of Elegance is by Erik Hofman. As well as giving details of dimensions, speeds, plans and names, it contains some hilarious anecdotes.

According to Hofman, one yacht owner had a luxurious cabin with an electric control board. If the third button was pressed, the wall adjoining the owner’s bed rolled away. The guest of the evening who had retired to the assumed sanctity of her private cabin suddenly found the owner’s bed alongside hers!

Christopher Chetwode

Cheriton, Hampshire