The beautiful Bluebottle has returned to the Pontoon at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth.

Having been returned to the water last week following some retoration work, you'll now be able to catch sight of the Royal yacht, Bluebottle, moored on the Maritime Museum's pontoon.

Bluebottle, built in 1948, was presented to HM the Queen and HRH Prince Philip as a wedding gift by the Island Sailing Club of Cowes, Isle of Wight. She is an International Dragon Class; a one-design three person keelboat, designed for cruising or racing.

Over the years, Bluebottle has had a varied and successful racing career, with the highpoint being selected as the British yacht for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics when her crew returned with a bronze medal - fitting that 52 years on from her Olympic days, she is still on the water during the 2008 Olympics.

In 1962, she was lent to Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, to give officers in training the opportunity to sail a yacht of this type.

Finally, in 2002, she was loaned to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall where she still remains on the water.

Before Bluebottle went on show at the Museum, she was given an extensive re-fit by Maurice Hunkin which was very appropriate as his father had carried out the yacht's first refit some years earlier.

Andy Wyke, the Museum's Boat Collection Manager, says: "The museum is very honoured to be entrusted with the care of such a prestigious boat and it's great to see her back where she belongs, in the water".

With the recent unveiling of the Museum's exciting new Olympic Display, visitors can now see another of the Museum's Olympic medal winning boats and keep track of everything happening on the water in Beijing.

9:48am Monday 25th August 2008

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