Yacht aborts entry to Simpson Bay Lagoon SIMPSON BAY--The classic private luxury yacht "Talitha G" ran into difficulties attempting to enter Simpson Bay Lagoon yesterday morning before abandoning the effort and remaining outside in the bay. The 226-foot-long vessel reportedly sustained damage on her approach to the bridge, but it was unclear how that had occurred, as one eyewitness account said the vessel had appeared to be perfectly lined up for entry. Conflicting unconfirmed reports suggested she had either been blown onto the rocks on the Royal Palm side, had scraped the bottom of the channel, or her bow thrusters had malfunctioned, causing her to drift towards the rocks. Efforts to ascertain from the captain exactly what had happened and the extent of damage were unsuccessful up to press time. It was also not known if she would attempt a second try at entering the lagoon. The 9:30am incident resulted in a longer than usual bridge opening and longer tailback of traffic. Several tenders assisted the "Talitha G" to back out of the bridge channel. One of the more unusual yachts to enter St. Maarten waters, the "Talitha G" was built in Germany in 1930 and went through three name changes before she was purchased by the US Navy in 1942. She was converted to a Patrol Gunboat, fitted with two 3-inch 50mm gun mounts and commissioned as USS Beaumont (PG 60). She was decommissioned in 1946, struck from the naval register and sent for disposal. She was sold again, however, to the late J. Paul Getty Jr. and renamed Jezebel. In 1993 she was overhauled in Plymouth, England, and given her present name. Celebrities such as Tom Cruise, British royalty and politicians have all vacationed aboard "Talitha G." Getty famously invited the British royal family on board to observe Cowes Week for a number of years when the royal yacht Britannia went out of service in 1997. (Robert Luckock) Give us your opinion on this story Post a message on our message board! Click Here! Copyright ©1998-2001 The Daily Herald - Design by Dimitri2924