Description
Object description
Unedited coverage of the Royal Yacht HMY Britannia in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in October 1990.
Full description
(Tape 1) Scenes on board deck as final polishing of deck fittings take place and final checks are made before afternoon reception on board. Guests (businessmen and local dignitaries) gather for reception under awning on deck and take part in informal discussions. The formal part of the proceeding begins with introductory speech by Paul Greeney, Master of the Queen's Household, with Captain Price, British naval attaché, translating into Portuguese. Admiral Woodward also gives a speech before the guests go below deck.
Full description
(Tape 2) Scenes below deck as formal speeches and presentations are made by businessmen. Representative of a British company discusses his business as guests listen; camera focuses on the simultaneous translation booth at the back of the room where translators are at work. Further scenes on deck - brass band plays. Dining rooms below deck - chefs and stewards prepare food and also lay the table ready for a formal dinner. Tape ends with further shots of the band playing on deck.
Full description
(Tape 3) Visitors are taken on a tour below decks - scenes in engine room (which is in immaculate condition). General views of Rio de Janeiro from on board Britannia, including Sugarloaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer (which is covered in scaffolding). General views on deck. Visitors are seen disembarking, shot from the quayside. Interview on quayside with one of the British organisers (sound is very poor here); general views of Britannia at her berth. On board, the White Ensign is raised. Further deck maintenance takes place, including the polishing of the propellers on the lifeboat (this scene under the direction of the cameraman, whose voice can be heard). Brass rails and windows are also cleaned.
Full description
(Tape 4) Routine life on board Britannia. Further scenes of cleaning and maintenance, with close-ups of the polishing of the ship's bell. Scenes below deck, focusing on the crew's snack shop: ratings buy items such as soft drinks and chocolate. Final scenes of the constant cleaning and polishing: part of the hull is cleaned with a long brush, and a seaman in bo'sun's chair hangs over the side to clean the ship's anchor.
Physical description
U-matic