The Duke of Edinburgh on Board The "Bluebottle" -- The 'Bluebottle', a yacht of the Dragon class (app.18 ft. long) was presented to Their Royal Highnesses Princess Elizabeth. and the Duke of Edinburgh by the Island sailing Club. - The Duke contested his first race on the yacht when he entered the 'Bluebottle' at a recent yachting event at Cowes. In the yacht's crew of three, the Duke acted as third hand. On the first day, "Bluebottle" came in third but disqualified itself through grazing a buoy; on the second she finished 7th. The 'Bluebottle' sailing on the Solent. Next the Duke of Edinburgh site the helmsman, Lt.-Common Michael Crichton. September 29, 1948. (Photo by Baron, Camera Press).