The first sale: how MARQUES launched Burgess into yachting history

Image courtesy of Hugh Llewelyn

The sale of the historic barque MARQUES by Nigel Burgess in 1975 marked the beginning of Burgess’ journey to becoming a global yachting leader. Discover the remarkable story behind this legendary vessel and its pivotal role in shaping the future of the company.

In 1975, Burgess marked its first milestone in what would become hundreds of yacht sales, propelling the company into superyacht stardom. The yacht that started it all? MARQUES.

Built in Valencia, Spain, in 1917 as a polacca-rigged brig (a type of ship with a mix of triangular and square sails), the MARQUES was originally used to carry fruit from the Canary Islands to northern Europe. Badly damaged during World War II, she was repaired in 1947 and spent many years subsequently sailing the Mediterranean.

A history on the silver screen, the MARQUES was used in film and television including Dracula and playing the BEAGLE in a BBC TV series about Charles Darwin. She was also a competitor in the Tall Ships’ Races, an iconic series of international sailing events that celebrate maritime heritage and bring together vessels from around the world to promote youth development, seamanship, and cultural exchange.

What happened to the MARQUES?

After a storied past, the MARQUES met a tragic end at sea in 1984. After winning the first tall ships’ race from Puerto Rico to Bermuda, the MARQUES set sail on 2 June bound for Nova Scotia but ran into a gale. Hit by a rogue wave, she was knocked down onto her starboard size, breaching the main cargo hatch from her days as a commercial vessel. Water flooded into the interior, and the ship sank in less than a minute. Despite this devastating ending, her legacy lives on as a testament to the daring spirit of maritime exploration.

MARQUES' sale was not just a transaction; it was the beginning of Burgess' commitment to exceptional yachts and exceptional experiences – an ethos that has carried through five decades of groundbreaking achievements in the yachting world.