THE THAMES CLUBS AND WINDERMERE
THE ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB
BY EDWARD WALTER CASTLE AND ROBERT CASTLE
In the year 1775 was founded the 'Cumberland Fleet,' and as the Royal
Thames Yacht Club is its lineal descendant, the latter may with all
justice claim the title of the 'Mother of Yacht-racing,' at least in
Great Britain.
The year 1770 was a most important epoch in Thames yachting, and we
think the lines and drawing of our first cup-winning yacht should be
given here. The 'King's Fisher,' as the sketch shows, was clinker
built. Her owner, Commodore Thomas Taylor of the Cumberland Fleet, was
so thoroughly the practical founder of yacht racing on the Thames that
his statue should be placed on the Thames Embankment--with a bronze
plaque of his yacht and the cups he won--and if times are too bad to
go that length, a medallion portrait plaque could go on the Temple
Embankment Arch, for the 'King's Fisher' was built close by. Her
dimensions, as shown in her lines, were, length 20 ft., beam 7 ft.
The Cumberland Fleet, or, as it is often called, the Cumberland
Sailing Society, was founded under the following circumstances.
[Illustration: The 'King's Fisher,' 1776, midship section.]
In the year of grace 1775 the first rowing regatta that was ever held
in England took place upon the Thames--on June 23. Previously to this,
however, a meeting of 'several very respectable gentlemen, proprietors
of sailing vessels and pleasure boats on the river,'[4] held their
annual meeting at Battersea, and resolved that on the regatta day they
would draw up in a line opposite Ranelagh Gardens, so as not to be in
the way of the competing rowing boats. On July 6 of the same year an
advertisement appears in the 'Advertiser,' that his Royal Highness
Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland (a brother of George III., and an
admiral in the British Navy) was about to give a silver cup[5] to be
sailed for on July 11. The advertisement is as follows:--
A Silver Cup, the gift of His Royal Highness the Duke of
Cumberland, is to be sailed for on Tuesday, the 11th
instant, from Westminster Bridge to Putney Bridge and
back, by Pleasure Sailing Boats, from two to five tons
burthen, and constantly lying above London Bridge. Any
gentleman inclined to enter his Boat may be informed of
particulars by applying to Mr. Roberts, Boat-builder,
Lambeth, any time before Saturday Noon next.
[Footnote 4: _Public Advertiser_, June 1, 1775.]
[Footnote 5: The cup of 1775 was destroyed in a fire. _Morning
Herald_, June 23, 1781.]
[Illustration: Lines of the 'King's Fisher,' of the Cumberland Fleet,
1776. Commodore Thomas Taylor's yacht.
Winner of Silver Cup, 1776.]
On account of the weather, however, the race was postponed until July
13, when it came off with great success, and the 'Aurora,' owned by a
Mr. Parkes, described as 'late of Ludgate Hill,' won the cup. The
second boat in was named the 'Fly,' but who owned her the newspapers
of the day forgot to mention. From 'the Morning Post'[6] we get the
information that only those boats 'which were never let out to hire'
would be allowed to enter, and also that 'the Gentlemen, about 18 or
20 in number, who sail for the prize have come to a resolution to be
dressed in aquatic uniforms.' This seems to prove that the club had
already been formed before the match, and was probably an outcome of
the club at Battersea mentioned above. We also find from the old
newspapers that the owners (who, by the way, were always styled
'captain') had to steer their respective vessels, and in the case of
this first match were allowed two assistants; so it would seem that
what nowadays are called 'Corinthian rules' were in the early period
of yacht-racing a _sine quâ non_.
[Footnote 6: _Morning Post_, July 10, 1775.]
[Illustration: Button, 1776.]
There were very solemn ceremonies attending all these early races. The
Duke embarked on board his state barge from one of the stairs, and the
royal standard was immediately hoisted at the bow. Another barge was
in company with a band of music, and they then proceeded to the place
of starting. The racing boats were anchored in line, with their sails
furled; their places having beforehand been determined by lot. Each
vessel, when racing, carried at her gaff a white flag with a red St.
George's Cross upon it, and with one, two, three, or more blue balls,
according to her position at starting. The captains were stationed in
wherries, and on the arrival of the Duke's barge were by signal
ordered on board their respective vessels. Then, on the firing of a
gun, the race was started. Time allowance was an unknown quantity in
those primitive days, and the boat which succeeded in passing the
winning-post first claimed the cup. The victorious captain was then
taken on board the commodore's barge, and with great ceremony
introduced to his Royal Highness. In the meantime the Duke's butler
had filled the cup with claret and handed it to his Royal Highness,
who thereupon drank the health of the winner, and then presented him
with the cup. The captain then drank to the Duke and Duchess, with
three cheers; the whole ceremony having been performed amidst the
strains of martial music, salvos of artillery, and the huzzas of the
crowd upon the river and its banks. The fleet then proceeded up the
stream to Smith's Tea Gardens, which lay where the gasworks now are,
on the Surrey side of Vauxhall Bridge, and dined together. The Duke
himself was very often present at these festive gatherings, and later
on in the evening they all visited Vauxhall Gardens and made a night
of it. The first commodore of the club was a Mr. Smith, who, we
believe, was the proprietor of Smith's Tea Gardens, and he probably
held the office until 1779. That year the commodore's broad pennant
was changed from red to blue, and the club dined at the Royal Oak,
Vauxhall, which seems to show a change of officers. Anyhow, the
following year, 1780, Mr. Thomas Taylor was commodore, as is shown by
the cup he won,[7] and he held that office until the year 1816, when
he gave up yachting. The Cumberland Fleet had the white ensign, but
without the St. George's Cross in the fly, and their burgee was a
white one, with an equal armed red cross on it; i.e. the cross did not
come out to the point of the flag. At the Royal Thames Club House they
have several relics of the ancient fleet; there is the chairman's
ivory gavel with the inscription 'Cumberland Fleet,' which is still
used at every annual meeting; there are also (besides some curious
prints and pictures) a cap of one of the rowers of the commodore's
barge, and a club button, though it is not known whether it belonged
to one of the rowers or to a member of the club. The Cumberland course
originally was, as we have already shown, from Westminster Bridge to
Putney and back, but in 1776 it was altered to Blackfriars Bridge,
Putney, and back. Later on, the winning-post was at Smith's Tea
Gardens, by that time called Cumberland Gardens.
[Footnote 7: This cup is in the possession of the Taylor family, as
are those won in 1776 and 1782.]
The fleet evidently used to sail together and manoeuvre as well as
race, for in 1776, in honour of His Majesty's birthday, 'they went up
the river with colours flying and music playing'; and in 1793 a set of
signals were printed (a copy of which may be seen framed at the Royal
Thames Club House) whereby the commodore could manoeuvre the sailing
boats like a fleet of men-o' war; indeed there is a print extant,
dated 1778, wherein the fleet are being so manoeuvred off Sheerness.
[Illustration: First 'Cumberland,' 1780, midship section.]
The first private match, under the auspices of the club, seems to have
come off, between two of the sailing boats, on April 20, 1776, but no
mention is made of their names. Some of the expressions used in the
newspapers about the different matches are very curious; in one paper
it is called 'Fluviatic and Fresh Water Frolics,' and in another
'Thamesian Pleasantry,' and again, 'Water-racing Galloways,' but the
best of the lot is in the 'Morning Post'[8] of 1782, where the race is
described as 'a Fluviatic Cavalcade.'
[Footnote 8: _Morning Post_, July 26, 1782.]
[Illustration: Lines of Commodore Taylor's yacht, first 'Cumberland,'
of Cumberland Fleet (Thames), 1780.
Winner of Gold Cup, 1780.]
The yachts belonging to the Cumberland Fleet did not confine
themselves to river sailing, for in one of the papers of 1777 it is
stated that the 'Hawke' had been cruising about the Channel, and had
been chased into Calais by an American privateer. The Duke of
Cumberland gave a silver cup each year, of the value of twenty
guineas; but in 1781, when the seventh became due, a silver-gilt cup
of the value of fifty guineas was presented to the club by His Royal
Highness. This was to be sailed for by the boats that had won the
former prizes, and the advertisement goes on to say, 'The members of
the Society do hereby, with the permission of His Royal Highness,
challenge and invite all gentlemen, proprietors of pleasure sailing
boats, within the British dominions, to join with them in the
contention.'[9] The first attempt at this race on June 25 failed for
want of wind, and the match had to be re-sailed on July 9, when the
cup was won by the 'Cumberland,' belonging to Commodore Taylor. This
race, the first open match ever sailed, seems to have caused a good
deal of excitement, and the river and its banks were densely crowded.
The papers of the day speak of the many thousands present, of all
sorts, 'from the peerless "Perdita" to the Princess "Ran."'[10]
[Footnote 9: _Morning Chronicle_, May 5, 1781.]
[Footnote 10: _Morning Herald_, June 27, 1781.]
For some unexplained reason, 1782 was the last year that the Duke gave
a cup to the 'Fleet.'[11] He certainly remained its patron up to his
death in 1790, but he ceased to take any personal interest in the
affairs of the club. This cup was won by the 'Caroline,'[12] belonging
to Captain Coffin, and seems to have had a curious history, as in 1886
it was discovered in a pawnshop at San Francisco, and, it is said, was
bought and raced for by some yacht club in America. On August 10,
1782, the first below-bridge match of the Cumberland Fleet took place.
It was between the 'Caroline,' Captain Coffin, and the 'Eagle,'
Captain Grubb, for a wager of 40_l._: the course being from Cuckolds
Point to the Lower Hope, and back again. The 'Caroline' won easily.
[Footnote 11: There is a print of the start for the 1782 match at the
R.T.Y.C.]
[Footnote 12: _Times_, August 9, 1886.]
[Illustration: Lines of Commodore Taylor's yacht, second 'Cumberland,'
launched February 14, 1790.]
The years 1783 to 1785 have no matches recorded against the club. On
August 21, 1784, the commodore's boat the 'Cumberland' went badly
ashore on the rocks off Margate.[13] She must, however, have been
afterwards saved, as she was commodore's boat at the match of 1786. A
new era opened to the 'Cumberland Fleet' in the year 1786.[14]
Jonathan Tyars became proprietor of Vauxhall Gardens, and to celebrate
the jubilee of the Gardens (which had been open just fifty years), and
also the new management, he gave an annual silver cup and cover, to be
sailed for by the Cumberland Fleet, and a wherry to be rowed for by
the watermen on the Thames.
[Footnote 13: _Public Advertiser_, August 25, 1784.]
[Footnote 14: _Morning Post_, July 5, 1786.]
[Illustration: Yacht of Cumberland Fleet, 1781.]
The one thing curious about this match is that the 'Prince of Wales'
sailing boat was advertised for sale, and it goes on to say, 'which no
doubt will have the best chance to win the Jubilee Silver Cup which
will be sailed for on the 17th inst.' She won that cup!
The proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens continued giving an annual cup to
the club until the year 1810, when the last prize offered by them was
sailed for on August 6, and won by the 'St. George,' 7 tons, Captain
James Gunston. The ceremonies attached to the giving of the Vauxhall
Cup differed but slightly from those attending the Duke of
Cumberland's prize. The race started, as before, from Blackfriars
Bridge and sailed round a boat stationed near Putney Bridge and back
past a boat moored off Vauxhall Stairs, next door to Cumberland
Gardens.
The gardens in the evening were magnificently illuminated; a
wonderful transparency of the sailing match was on show, and the
former prize cups won by the club were arranged on pedestals in front
of it. There are many incidents connected with the Cumberland Fleet
during all these years. The 'Morning Chronicle'[15] says: 'There was
an attempt of foul play against the "Prince of Wales," the winning
vessel of 1786, by other boats getting in her way, but she got all
clear by a liberal use of handspikes.' In 1787 the match on July 19
was ordered by the club to be re-sailed August 3, on account of some
mistakes in the sailing directions made by the competing yachts; this
was eventually won by the 'Nancy,' Captain Dore, but the 'Blue Dragon'
was disqualified for booming out her jib.
[Footnote 15: _Morning Chronicle_, July 19, 1786.]
There must have been some form of Admiralty warrant extant in those
days, as we find that the members of the club are requested (in an
advertisement) to meet at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand,
and it goes on to say,[16] 'The gentlemen who enter their boats are to
attend at the same time to draw lots for situation at starting; and
are hereby informed that they are expected either to produce their
licence from the Admiralty, or other proofs of being owners of the
vessels they intend to sail.'
[Footnote 16: _Public Advertiser_, June 7, 1788.]
In 1791,[17] Commodore Taylor, with a party of friends, started in the
'Cumberland' for Bordeaux, but we have found no reference to his
having arrived there. This year there was a dreadful accident at the
race for the Vauxhall Cup, by the bursting of a cannon at Cumberland
Gardens, at the moment that the 'Mercury,' Captain Astley, was
winning; by this two persons lost their lives. This is also the first
year in which a second prize was given, viz. a silver goblet. The year
1793 was kept as a septennial one, and a handsome silver-gilt cup was
presented to be raced for; the club thereupon challenged the world.
[Footnote 17: _Star_, June 13, 1791.]
[Illustration: Circular of Cumberland Fleet, 1775.]
On July 27, 1793, the 'Cumberland,' Commodore Taylor, and the
'Eclipse,' Captain Astley, had a match for a turtle, which the
commodore won, and the members of the Club had a turtle feast on the
strength of it. In 1794 the proprietors of Vauxhall put a wonderful
car upon the river, on the match day. It was drawn by tritons and was
moved by invisible oars. It contained, besides bands of music, Father
Thames attended by his river gods; and for several years this
appeared, but with different devices.
A curious light is let in by the newspapers of 1795[18] on the way
they managed matters when racing. The 'Mercury,' which was the leading
boat, somehow got foul of the 'Vixen'; whereupon the captain of the
'Vixen' cut away the rigging of the 'Mercury' with a cutlass and
fairly well dismantled her, another boat, the 'Mermaid,' winning the
cup. We have failed entirely to find any sort of protest against such
high-handed proceedings. There was another cup presented to the Club
besides the Vauxhall one in 1796; it was given by the proprietor of
Cumberland Gardens. A match for a wager of forty guineas took place on
August 11, 1797,[19] between the 'Mercury' and the 'Providence,' from
the Gun Wharf at Blackwall round the Nore Light and back; this was won
easily by the 'Mercury,' which did the distance in 12 hrs. 5 mins.,
beating the 'Providence' by twenty miles.
[Footnote 18: _Times_, July 23, 1795.]
[Footnote 19: _Star_, August 15, 1797.]
The year 1800 was again kept as a septennial one, or, as the papers
prefer to call it, a 'Jubilee,' and there is in existence a print of
the 'Cumberland,' Captain Byrne, winning the cup. Mr. E. Smith, owner
of the 'Atalanta,' which won the Vauxhall Cup in 1801, presented the
same year a cup to be raced for, and it was won by the 'Mercury,'
Captain Astley. Another septennial (or Jubilee) cup was given by the
proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens in 1807, and this fell to the
'Bellissima,' owned by Captain Farebrother. This year the contractors
for the State Lottery gave a cup to be raced for on the Thames, and
all the boats entered for it belonged to the Cumberland Fleet. A new
public Garden was started in 1809, called the Minor Vauxhall, and Mr.
Sheppard, its proprietor, gave a silver cup to be sailed for on the
river. The first two attempts failed to come off, but at the third and
final one the 'St. George,' Captain Gunston, won the prize. The last
cup given by the proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens, in 1810, was won by
the 'St. George,' and the same year Mr. Sheppard (who had changed the
name of his Gardens to 'The New Ranelagh') again gave a cup, which was
won by the 'Sally,' belonging to Captain Hammond. The proprietor of
the New Ranelagh Gardens also gave cups in the years 1811 and 1812,
and although the club is not mentioned in connection with them, none
but vessels belonging to the Cumberland Fleet were entered. On July
16, 1812, the club gave two cups, by subscription, to be raced for
from Blackwall to Gravesend and back, which were won respectively by
the 'Mercury' and the 'Vixen.' As the years roll on the newspapers get
rather confused about the sailing matches, and the name of the old
club very rarely occurs, although we have seen an account book where
the subscription of one guinea is mentioned as having been paid to the
secretary of the Cumberland Fleet, in the year 1818.
The years 1814, 1821, and 1822 have no sailing matches recorded
against them, but these, with 1783 to 1785, are the only ones in which
we have failed to find a race of some sort or other. After Commodore
Taylor's retirement it is believed that Mr. Edward Nettlefold was
elected in his place, but there is, great confusion on the subject,
for in 1817 he is called commodore of the 'London Yacht Club,' which
in another number of the same paper is called the 'New Cumberland
Fleet.' Most probably there had been some dissensions among the
members of the club, but whatever had happened, there is no getting
over the fact that in the year 1823 the Cumberland Fleet had a
below-bridge race, and that it was under the direction of Commodore
Edward Nettlefold.
The year 1823 is a most important one in the history of the club. On
July 17 there was a race for a silver cup in honour of the King's
coronation,[20] and the newspapers[21] go on to say:--
The 'Favourite' steam packet, soon after ten o'clock, came
down from the Tower. This boat was elegantly decorated, and
was crowded with ladies. The gentlemen of the 'Old
Cumberland Fleet' were on board, under the direction of
their respected Commodore, Edward Nettlefold, Esquire, under
whose direction the match took place.
[Footnote 20: George IV.]
[Footnote 21: _Morning Advertiser_, July 18, 1823; _Sporting
Magazine_, July, 1823; _Morning Chronicle_, July 19, 1823; _Globe_,
July 18, 1823; _Public Ledger_, July 19, 1823.]
The cup was won by the 'Venus,' belonging to Captain George Keen. In
the 'Public Ledger' of July 17, 1823, is the following
advertisement:--
_HIS MAJESTY'S CORONATION_
The Subscribers and Members of the Old Cumberland Fleet will
dine together at the Ship Tavern, Water Lane, Tower Street,
this day at four o'clock precisely to celebrate the
coronation of His Most Gracious Majesty King George IV.;
when the superb silver cup, sailed for in honour of that
event, on Thursday last, from Blackwall to Coal House Point,
below Gravesend and back, by gentlemen's pleasure vessels,
will be presented to Captain George Keen, the winner of the
prize; and to arrange the articles for the sailing match to
take place on Wednesday afternoon, the 30th instant, and to
start at three o'clock from Blackfriars Bridge, and sail to
Putney and back to Cumberland Gardens, under the especial
patronage of the proprietors of the Royal Gardens,
Vauxhall.'
At this dinner the club must have decided to change their name, as
appears from the following extract from a Vauxhall programme of July
30, 1823, announcing the match 'given by His Majesty's Coronation
Sailing Society, entered into for celebrating annually the Coronation,
and formed by new subscribers and members of the old Cumberland
Fleet'; the last three words being printed right across the page in
large type. They also changed their flag, adopting a white one with a
crown in the upper corner next the staff, with the letters 'G.R. IV.'
underneath, and the words 'Coronation Fleet' in the fly. This flag had
a crimson border all round, with lettering of the same colour.
[Illustration: Officers' badge, R.T.Y.C.]
This match of July 30, 1823, is a very important one, as, owing to a
dispute over the prize, the present Royal Thames Yacht Club was
formed. The facts are as follows:--In the race the 'St. George,'
Captain Brocklebank, came in first, and the 'Spitfire,' Captain
Bettsworth, was the second boat. Captain Bettsworth, however,
protested against the 'St. George' being given the prize, for the
following reasons:--'That the "St. George" during the match was
steered by two persons, which was contrary to the sailing articles
signed by all the competitors previously to starting. The articles
alluded to state that "the vessels must be sailed by their respective
owners, or by any person they may think proper to appoint." The
appellant states the breach of articles to have been committed between
Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges.'[22] On August 6 the Club met to
consider the question at the Ship Tavern, Water Lane; and after Capt.
Bettsworth had produced witnesses and the matter had been argued out,
it was determined by ballot, and by a majority of one, that the race
should be re-sailed on Monday, August 11. On August 7, however, a
protest was sent to the commodore, signed by seven members of the club
(none of whom, by the way, had a boat in the match), asking him to
call another meeting of the society, to either confirm or rescind the
vote on August 6, and mentioning the fact that Captain Brocklebank had
not been present at the ballot. On August 8 another meeting was held,
at the Ship Tavern, of the captains and owners of the pleasure boats
that had been in the race of July 30; they resolved to send in a
protest to Commodore Nettlefold, in which they stated 'that if such
resolution be rescinded, we have unanimously determined never to enter
any of our boats for any cup to be given on any future occasion by the
"Coronation" Fleet,' as they considered the merits of the question had
been fully and fairly discussed. This protest was signed by eight of
the captains who sailed in the match. On August 9 a further meeting of
the club was held, and the resolution of the 6th instant rescinded,
in spite of the protest, the cup being handed over to Captain
Brocklebank as the victor. On this decision the captains held another
conference (probably on the evening of August 9), decided to form a
new club, and to call a special meeting on the question. On August 14,
1823, at the White Horse Tavern, Friday Street, it was decided to form
such new club, and to call it the 'Thames Yacht Club.' Most of the old
members of the 'Cumberland' Fleet are supposed to have joined it. The
'Coronation' Fleet went on with varying fortunes until the year 1827,
when it seems to have fallen into abeyance; but it was revived again
in 1830 with a great flourish of trumpets, only to be absolutely
dissolved on January 3, 1831, at a meeting of the club, held at the
British Coffee House, Charing Cross; and that very same year their
commodore, Lord Henry Cholmondeley, was racing as an ordinary member
of the Thames Yacht Club. So that those members of the 'Coronation'
Fleet who did not join in 1823 were finally absorbed in the Thames
Yacht Club in 1831. Since that period the life of the club has flowed
along pretty evenly, with a few ups and downs, like the noble river
from which it takes its name. The first match of the Thames Yacht Club
was held on September 9, 1823, for a cup valued at 25 guineas, when
ten boats entered. They sailed the old course from Blackfriars Bridge,
and finished at Cumberland Gardens; but in this case, for want of
wind, the match had to be re-sailed on the 10th, when the cup was won
by the 'Spitfire,' Mr. T. Bettsworth. The following year they had an
above- and a below-bridge match, and this was regularly continued
until 1840, after which the above-bridge match was given up. The 'Don
Giovanni,' owned by Mr. J. M. Davey, won cups in 1824 and 1826; she
was considered the crack boat of her day, and there is a song in
existence which ends as follows:--
Now toast the Don Giovanni's crew, who bear the prize away,
And may they always sail as well as they have sail'd to-day!
Then fill each glass with sparkling wine, and bumpers let them be,
And drink to Captain Davey's health--his health with three times three:
For the cup is won, the match is done,
And settl'd is the rub;
Let mirth abound, and glee go round.
In this--the Thames Yacht Club.
[Footnote 22: _Globe_, August 5, 1823.]
In 1827 a 50-guinea cup was given to be raced for, from Blackwall to
Gravesend and back, to celebrate the event of His Royal Highness the
Duke of Clarence becoming patron of the Thames Yacht Club. This was
won by the 'Lady Louisa,' belonging to Mr. T. Smith.
The following year there was a split off from the club, caused by
their refusal to give prizes for very small boats, so the seceders
formed the Clarence Yacht Club, which existed for several years. On
August 28, 1830, two cups were given to be raced for below bridge, in
honour of the Duke of Clarence coming to the throne as William IV. The
yachts sailed in two classes, the first of which was won by the
'Matchless,' 19 tons, Mr. J. Hyatt; and the second by the 'Brilliant,'
8 tons, Mr. W. Bucknall. On October 7 of the same year, at a meeting
of the club, it was resolved 'that the uniform button should be
altered from T.Y.C. to R.T.Y.C.'; in other words, they had become the
'Royal Thames Yacht Club.' This year the fleet of the club consisted
of forty-three vessels.
[Illustration: Lord Alfred Paget's 'Mystery' passing 'Blue Belle' May
23, 1843.]
The burgee of the Thames Yacht Club was probably a red one, with the
letters T.Y.C., as we find that on February 3, 1831, a red burgee was
agreed to having the letters R.T.Y.C. under a crown. There were two
cups given by the club, on September 15, 1831, to celebrate the
coronation of their Majesties William IV. and his Queen. The first was
won by the 'Lady Louisa,' and the second by the 'Water Witch.' In
December 1834 a white burgee was adopted with a crown and the letters
R.T.Y.C. in red; and on February 19, 1835, an Admiralty warrant was
granted to the club authorising their vessels to carry a white ensign
without a red cross, but with the union-jack in the upper corner, and
bearing in the fly a crown over the letters R.T.Y.C. in red. William
IV. died on June 20, 1837, and on July 27 of the same year Her Majesty
Queen Victoria became patroness of the club. The following year
special prizes were given in honour of the Queen's coronation, and
there is in possession of the club a portrait of Commodore Harrison
holding the cup in his hand. In 1840 a challenge cup of the value of
100 guineas was given, to be won twice consecutively by the same
yacht, without reference to ownership. It was eventually secured by
the 'Secret,' Mr. J. W. Smith, on June 8, 1847. The Admiralty took
away the white ensign from the Royal Thames Yacht Club in 1842 (as
well as from several other clubs that had the right of flying it), and
only allowed the Royal Yacht Squadron to continue its use. In July of
the same year, however, the Admiralty granted to the Royal Thames a
blue ensign with a crown in the fly. On June 30, 1845, a cup of the
value of 60_l._ was presented by Earl Fitzhardinge, and the yachts had
to be manned, steered, and handled by members of the club only. The
'Belvidere,' 25 tons; the 'Prima Donna,' 25 tons; the 'Phantom,' 20
tons; and the 'Widgeon,' 24 tons, were entered, the cup being won by
the 'Belvidere,' belonging to Vice-Commodore Lord Alfred Paget. In the
year 1848 the Admiralty granted to the club a further warrant, dated
July 24, giving them the plain 'blue ensign of Her Majesty's Fleet,'
and of this they still enjoy the use. Time allowance first appears in
the matches of the Royal Thames on June 29, 1849, in a race from Erith
to the Nore and back, when half a minute per ton for difference of
tonnage was allowed. July 8, 1851, the Queen for the first time gave a
cup to be raced for by the club, the course being from Erith, round
the Nore and back; it was won by the 'Cygnet,' 35 tons, owned by Mr.
H. Lambton, M.P. The club established an annual schooner match, which
was held regularly for several years, the first having been on June
1, 1853. In 1855 the club had 170 yachts in its fleet, but in 1861
they had reached to 241 vessels; at the present date they are some 350
strong. In 1862 the 'Marina,' on rounding the Nore lightship, ran
into the club steamer, the 'Prince of Wales,' damaging herself
considerably, and had to be towed back. As she was leading vessel at
the time, and it was the fault of the steamer getting in the way, she
received a special prize. On May 21, 1866, the first Nore to Dover
race of the club took place, although they had one or two matches to
Harwich and the Isle of Wight before that date. At the beginning of
1868 there was another split in the Royal Thames, and those who left
established the 'New Thames Yacht Club,' which is still in existence.
The same year the club was again honoured by the presentation of a
Queen's Cup, which was raced for from Gravesend to the Mouse and back.
In 1874 His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales became commodore, and
for the first time in the history of the club a rear-commodore was
elected, Mr. Thomas Brassey. Queen's Cups have also been given to the
club in 1874, 1880, and 1885; but in the year 1887, on the occasion of
Her Majesty's Jubilee, the club, to mark that event, gave a special
prize of 1,000 guineas in an ocean match round Great Britain, the
winning-post being at Dover. This was won by the 'Genesta,' belonging
to Sir Richard Sutton, Bart.
[Illustration: Start of 25-tonners, Royal Thames Yacht Club, from
Greenwich, 1848.]
[Illustration: 'Phantom,' 25 tons, R.T.Y.C., 1853.]
[Illustration: 'Cygnet,' 35 tons, built by Wanhill, 1846. Winner of
Queen's Cup, R.Y.S., 1849; of Queen's Cup, R.T.Y.C., 1851.]
Such, in bare outline, is a rough history of the oldest yacht racing
club in existence. It is epitomised from a larger work on the same
subject, which has been our labour of love for some years, and we hope
that the book will be published to the world at some future time.
ROYAL CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB, ERITH
BY R. T. PRITCHETT
Perhaps one of the most sporting clubs on the Thames or elsewhere is
the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, which has its headquarters at Erith.
This, the original Corinthian Club, was formed in May 1872; but
several other clubs have since been started at various ports, and have
copied the title with the affix of the place to which they belong.
During the first year some 200 members were enrolled, but the number
rapidly increased, and the club has now close upon 500 members, and
possesses a valuable freehold club-house standing in an acre of ground
on the banks of the Thames at Erith. The house includes a large
club-room, nearly 70 feet long, a committee room, and a bunk-room for
the use of members wishing to sleep there. Underneath are extensive
stores, with twenty large sail lockers, each capable of holding the
gear of a 20-tonner. These are let to members at 30s. per annum. There
is room in the grounds for any number of the smaller fry which are not
too heavy to be hauled over the wall, and they have a good snug berth
here for the winter.
The classification of the yachts for racing purposes does not extend
to anything exceeding 20-rating, and for this size of vessel only one
paid hand is allowed. The remainder of the crew, including the
helmsman, must be members of the club.
In the first year or so of the club's existence the racing was mostly
confined to the smaller classes, and the 5-ton 'Arrow,' at that time
head of her class, was a frequent competitor. About this period the
'Adèle' and the 'Ada' were in the Thames. These gave way in turn to
the 'Virago,' 6 tons, 'May,' 6 tons, and the 'Alouette' and 'Freda,'
each 5 tons. The 10-ton 'Zephyr' then came up into the river, and had
some hard tussles to save her time from the smaller vessels; and Major
Lenon's 'L'Erie,' 10 tons, also competed occasionally with success. In
the larger class 'Dudu,' 'Torch,' 'Ildegonda,' 'Surge,' 'Aveyron,'
'Sweetheart,' 'Dione,' and 'Nadejda,' gave some good racing, and one
memorable day, when all the above but 'Ildegonda' and 'Torch' sailed a
race in a gale of wind, in company with the yawl 'Dryad,' nearly every
yacht in the race had some mishap to gear, 'Dryad' and 'Dione' being
dismasted.
From 1875 to 1880 the racing was kept alive by the 10-ton class, the
meeting of the 'Lily,' 'Florence,' 'Merle,' 'Mildred,' 'Chip,'
'Preciosa,' 'Juliet,' 'Elaine,' and 'Robinson' being looked forward to
with eagerness by the amateur crews. 'Florence' was the pick of this
bunch, but the arrival of the 'Maharanee,' and then of the celebrated
'Buttercup,' soon altered the state of affairs. 'Buttercup' swept the
board for some time until Mr. W. Cory brought 'Ulidia' into the club,
and she in turn scored off 'Buttercup.' This virtually closed the
10-ton racing in the Thames.
In 1881 some excitement was caused by the starting of the 3-ton class
on the Thames, and as no paid hands were allowed in these little
vessels, the Corinthians were in request in club matches. The 'Muriel'
was brought over from Ireland by the Messrs. Fox, and had for
competitors the 'Maramah,' 'Mascotte,' 'Naida,' 'Primrose,' 'Venilia,'
and 'Snarley Yow,' of which the latter was probably the fastest. The
excitement culminated in a race for a 50_l._ cup, subscribed for by
several enthusiastic members, and sailed for under the auspices of the
Corinthian Yachting Club on June 13, 1882, 'Muriel' winning the cup
after a splendid finish with 'Snarley Yow.' The next year saw the
advent of 'Chittywee,' who spread-eagled the old fleet, and was in
turn knocked out by the redoubtable 'Currytush.' This killed the 3-ton
class in the Thames, and for some time class racing was at a discount.
The Corinthian Yacht Club, however, by arranging a system of handicaps
and other races to suit the vessels belonging to the club, nearly
always succeeded in getting good entries for its matches, an annual
handicap race from Erith to Ramsgate, open to all yachts in the club,
being still one of the most popular events of the season.
The 20-rating class has not been patronised for some time in the
Thames, but 'Decima,' 'Fan Tan,' 'Dis,' and 'Corona' have had some
good racing between 1890 and 1892 in the 10-rating matches. The
entries in the numerous handicap matches have included the above four
yachts and such vessels as 'Gardenia,' 'Neaira,' 'Terpsichore,'
'Norman,' 'Mimosa,' 'Wenonah,' 'Cyclone,' 'Ildegonda,' 'Oenanthe,'
'Nadejda,' 'Alpha Beta.'
[Illustration: Lines and midship section of the 'Dis,' 10-rater, built
for A. D. Clarke, Esq., 1888. Designed by J. M. Soper.]
In 1888 an attempt was made by the club to encourage a class of small
cruising yachts by limiting the length and sail-area, and seven or
eight were built from the designs of Messrs. G. L. Watson, Fife, Dixon
Kemp, J. T. Howard, Douglas Stone, A. E. Payne, A. Watkins, and
others. This class, known as the Thames 21-foot class, has since then
furnished extremely close racing, and it is worthy of note that the
first boat built, the 'Tottie,' designed by Mr. Watson, successfully
held her own for five seasons. The season of 1892, however, showed
that the 'Eva,' designed and built by Mr. Stone, of Erith, was
quite as good as, if not better than, 'Tottie,' her new owner, Mr.
Wyllie, sailing her in first-class form. Much of the 'Tottie's'
success must be put down to her extremely skilful handling by the
brothers Simpson, who rank among the best amateurs of the day. While
the 21-foot class has undoubtedly been a most popular one in the
Thames, it is unfortunately the fact that the original idea of
encouraging a good useful cruising boat was not fulfilled, the
ingenuity of the designers being too much for the few restrictions
imposed. We believe that three of the original boats which were not so
successful in racing are now being used as cruisers, but the faster or
deep-keeled boats are hardly of the type that would be chosen for this
purpose.
[Illustration: 'Decima'
_A. E. Payne_, 1889.]
The names of the 21-footers are 'Tottie,' 'Eva,' 'Diskos,' 'Haze,'
'Dorothy,' 'Fancy,' 'Mehalah,' 'Genie,' 'Magnolia,' 'Saivnara,' 'March
Hare,' 'Narwhal,' 'Nyleptha,' and 'Macnab.'
[Illustration: 'Tottie,' Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, 21-ft. class.]
During the last two or three years prizes have been offered for
2-1/2-raters, but the class has not as yet taken any hold on the
Thames men, the only entries having been 'Camilla' and 'Cock-a-whoop.'
This club now offers a challenge cup for 1-raters, viz. the cup won by
the 3-ton 'Muriel,' and presented to the club by Captain H. C. Fox.
The Club received the Admiralty warrant to fly the Blue Ensign in
1884, and in 1893 Her Majesty the Queen was graciously pleased to
command that the club should be called the Royal Corinthian Yacht
Club.
The present officers of the club are: Robert Hewett, Esq., Commodore,
and Rear-Commodore of Royal Thames, and of 'Buttercup' celebrity; J.
Weston Clayton, Esq., Vice-Commodore; Frank C. Capel, Esq.,
Rear-Commodore; H. Neville Custance, Esq., Hon. Treasurer; and T. G.
F. Winser, Esq., Secretary.
In order to extend the usefulness of the club to its members, the
committee last year secured a club-room at Burnham on the Crouch, a
most charming piece of water for small craft. With the greatly
improved state of the Thames at Erith, however, it is probable that
most of the yachts will come back to the headquarters of the club as
of old. It is many years since fish were caught at Erith, but of late
they have returned, and the Thames is now in as good condition as
could be desired. This river and its estuary form a perfect cruising
ground for the amateur yachtsman, and with a snug anchorage and
comfortable quarters at the end of a cruise, such as the Royal
Corinthian Yacht Club affords, he must be a glutton who is not
satisfied.
The number of yachts belonging to the club is 220, ranging from 1 to
500 tons.
ROYAL LONDON YACHT CLUB
The Royal London was established in 1838, and takes the lead in the
Victorian period. It began its career in May 1838 as the Arundel Yacht
Club, when the majority of the yachts were probably kept on the
foreshore at the foot of Arundel Street, Strand. Its flag at that time
was a red field, white border, and white letters.
In 1845 the name was changed to the London Yacht Club, and the flag
adopted was a white field with a blue cross, the union in the upper
corner, a gold star in the lower. In 1846 the star was changed for
the City arms, on receipt of a grant of this privilege from the
Corporation of the City of London. 1849 was an important year in its
history. The club received the patronage of Queen Adelaide, whereby it
became Royal (a privilege not so easily obtained in those days), and
also the recognition of the Admiralty by which the possession of an
Admiralty warrant was secured to its members.
In early days the races were sailed above bridge, with an occasional
bold venture as far down the river as Erith or Gravesend; but, finding
by experience that no serious dangers existed in such then
comparatively unknown waters, the above-bridge races were in a few
years abandoned, and the time-honoured course from Erith round the
Nore and back adopted. After many years, owing to the increase in the
size of the yachts, and in both the number and size of the vessels
navigating the Thames, another change was made. The Royal London
always showed energy where yachting progress was concerned, and was
the first to adopt flying starts on the Thames. A small class raced
thus May 14, 1878, and it may be noted that the club was one of the
first clubs in the United Kingdom, if not actually the first, to adopt
the Y.R.A. rules, October 20, 1892. The office of Admiral was filled
by the election of H.R.H. the Duke of York to that post. A striking
illustration, not only of the progress of the club, but also of the
development of yachting, is shown in the following table:--
+------+------------------+-------------------+-----------------+
| Year | Number of Yachts | Aggregate Tonnage | Average Tonnage |
+------+------------------+-------------------+-----------------+
| 1848 | 15 | 161 | 11 |
| 1892 | 248 | 17,000 | 69 |
+------+------------------+-------------------+-----------------+
On the social side its advance has been equally striking. After
wandering about for many years, in 1857 rooms were engaged at the
Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi. In 1882 the prosperity of the club
justified the opening of a branch club-house at Cowes, and three years
later the London headquarters were moved to their present position in
Savile Row. These changes were attended by the most satisfactory
results. The numbers, instead of fluctuating between 200 and 300 as
they had done for a series of years, at once began to increase, and
now there are over 700 names on the books. The yachts have increased
correspondingly.
THE LONDON SAILING CLUB, HAMMERSMITH
The London Sailing Club is a vigorous and practical association which
has to be specially commended for two features lately introduced. The
first of these was an exhibition in its rooms of 1-rater half-models,
scale 1 inch to the foot, each to carry a centre-plate--the design to
show shear plan, body plan, and half-breadth plan. Each design was
accompanied by a sealed envelope containing the designer's name. These
envelopes were not opened until after the designs and models had been
judged, and the prizes, three in number, awarded by Mr. Dixon Kemp.
The whole arrangements were most satisfactorily carried out. The
exhibition opened February 21, 1893, the models remaining on view
until March 6. These models, from the hands of professionals as well
as amateurs, were in some cases very beautiful. The first prize was
awarded to Mr. David Weir, of Partick. The second ran Mr. Weir very
close indeed, and when the envelope was opened the name of J. M. Soper
was discovered, a name associated with many leading Solent small
raters. The awarding of prizes is always a responsibility, but with
Mr. Dixon Kemp's experience and scientific knowledge he had little
difficulty.
The second feature referred to was the reading of papers by leading
authorities on practical subjects connected with construction and
sailing. The first paper, on centreboards, was read by Mr. Dixon Kemp,
and illustrated with diagrams on the blackboard, and a discussion
opened by Mr. Warrington Baden-Powell, of canoe fame, followed. The
reading of these papers has a good influence in bringing members and
their friends together. For special subjects experts and specialists
are invited, and much valuable information is often afforded. About
it as a club there is nothing very particular to be said. It is
popular with its members, and very successfully carries out the
objects of the foundation.
THE UPPER THAMES SAILING CLUBS
[Illustration: Upper Thames Sailing Club and Club-house, Bourne End,
Bucks, 1893.]
In the year 1893 the Queen graciously extended her patronage to the
small raters, now so much in vogue, inland and on the coast, by
presenting a 50-guinea Challenge Cup, to be annually sailed for by the
Upper Thames Sailing Clubs during the Bourne End week, when the Upper
Thames Club hold their fresh-water festival opposite the club-house
which was constructed in 1889 at Bourne End, Bucks. The spot is well
selected, and affords a commanding view of the long clear reach in
which the matches are sailed over a course of nine miles. The Duke of
Connaught is their President, the commodore, Colonel FitzRoy Clayton,
a practical enthusiast of great experience, one day thrashing a
1-rater through bad weather inland, and the day after perhaps hauling
on to the mainsheet of one of our big racers out in the open, equally
enjoying both. The secretary is most practical and does much to assist
the club with his large fleet of divers kind, from Norwegian punt and
American sneakie built by himself, to his steam launch 'Leopard.' He
has yet another craft of considerable interest, a Dutch yacht, a
perfect marvel of the Hollander's handicraft and beauty of finish; she
was built in Friesland about 1830, and is as sound now as when first
launched. The Challenge Cup, which is in the form of a bold flagon,
pilgrim bottle shape, height 17 in., weight 99 oz., was first sailed
for at Bourne End on Jubilee Day, June 21, 1893, by the following
clubs, Thames, Thames Valley, Upper Thames, Tamesis, Thames United,
and Oxford University. The morning of the 21st was bright with a
strong sailing breeze. The race was set for 1.30, and soon after noon
all the crews were carefully overhauling their gear and studying the
barometer. The weather suggested then having to reef down at the last
minute. It must be remembered that the river is not wide at Bourne
End, and that it was a flying start. Ten boats were under weigh, all
trying and manoeuvring for position, and yet all was done without a
foul or a protest; the handling was admirable, it was really a sight
to see. A little water might have been shipped, but that was soon
baled out, and the curious acrobatic performances of the shifting
ballast, stretching out to windward, was also a prominent feature.
[Illustration: Upper Thames steam yacht 'Cintra.']
The 'Challenge,' 1.1-rater, O.U.S.C., led at first for three or four
rounds, 'Mona,' .85, close up, 'Mirage,' 1.0, going well and looking
very handsome. At the finish there was capital racing. In the last
round but one 'Mona,' .85, leading, caught a hard gust and took in a
reef in a very workmanlike way to make sure of saving her mast. It was
admirably done and elicited great praise, as she came in running neck
and neck with 'Challenge,' 1.1-rater, both on different gybes,
'Challenge' with her little spinnaker on the port hand and 'Mona,'
.85, on the starboard. The spinnaker must be the same size as the jibs
in these races. The secretary had handed over his steam launch
'Leopard' to Captain Bell of the Thames Conservancy, whilst he and the
commodore sailed the 'Kitten,' which came in fourth. The six-day
festival of the six Thames Sailing Clubs, so happily and pleasantly
blended, promises well for small-rater sport in the future.
THE ROYAL WINDERMERE YACHT CLUB
The beautiful Lake district is provided with an excellent yacht club,
well organised, with workmanlike system and detail; and, as a
fresh-water club, it is here described after the Thames associations.
It was founded in 1860 and possesses a Royal Warrant dated 1887. The
headquarters are at Bowness, adjoining the Old England Hotel, and
consist of club-house, reading-rooms, billiard and committee room, and
boat landings; and the club has a very hospitable arrangement, like
the Bombay Club, by which gentlemen not residing within ten miles of
Bowness, on being proposed and seconded by two members, can be
admitted as temporary members, for a week, fortnight, or month, for a
moderate fee. The sailing committee request owners to see that
professional crews of yachts engaged in races wear white or blue
jerseys, yachting or man-of-war caps, or straw hats. The ensign is red
with crown in fly.
The leading feature of the Royal Windermere Lake Yacht Club is well
shown in the illustration on p. 185, as, out of comparatively few
members, fourteen are at the starting line, a proportion very seldom
met with in any club, and certainly suggesting great unanimity and
good feeling. The beautiful surroundings of the lake constitute a
great charm, though crews in racing craft have not much time to admire
picturesque landscape.
[Illustration: 'Feeling it' off the Ferry.]
The Windermere Club takes precautions to ensure as much as possible
real, well-contested races, and like the 'Water Wags' at Dublin has
definite club measurements, thus:--
(_a_) Length of yacht on load-water-line, from fore side of stern to
after side of rudder post, shall not exceed 20 ft., and the total
length from fore side of stern to extreme end of counter shall not
exceed 25 ft. 6 in., and no part of stern above or below water shall
or sternpost below water shall project beyond the 20-ft. gauge. A
yacht shall be considered to be on her load-line when she lies adrift
from her moorings in smooth water, without crew, with all sails set
and racing gear on board.
[Illustration: Royal Windermere Yacht Club. A fair start.]
(_b_) Beam (extreme outside measurement) shall not be less than 6 ft.
6 in. without beading or moulding.
(_c_) The draught of water shall not exceed 5 ft. 6 in. when the yacht
is on her load-water-line.
(_d_) The yacht shall show at least one-quarter of an inch of her
rudder-post clear of the water when on her load-water-line.
(_e_) No part of the counter shall intersect a triangle or the
produced perpendicular thereof shown on p. 186. Base 5 ft. 6 in. on
load-water-line produced perpendicular 1 ft. 4 in. from water.
(_f_) The length of mast from deck to trunk or end of pole shall not
exceed 26 ft. 8 in. Bowsprit from fore side of mast to extreme end
shall not exceed 19 ft. in length. The boom from aft side of mast to
the end shall not exceed 18 ft. 6 in. and the gaff (measured parallel
to the boom) shall not exceed 16 ft. 8 in. in length. It shall,
however, be optional to have a boom 22 feet in length from aft side of
mast to the end, provided that the gaff does not exceed 15 ft. in
length. Topsail yard shall not exceed 18 ft. 9 in. in length.
[Illustration: Limit angle of counter.]
(_g_) Hoist of mainsail from thimble to thimble 16 feet.
(_h_) From deck to pin of jib halliard sheave or pin of block shall
not exceed 23 ft. 9 in.
(_i_) Mast from deck to pin of topsail sheave shall not exceed 25 feet
9 inches.
[Illustration: Smart breeze for racing, Windermere.]
(_j_) No yacht shall have less than 32 cwt. of ballast, and no
ballast shall be carried inside of yacht.
[Illustration: Royal Windermere Yacht Club, Bowness.]
[Illustration: Fair wind round the buoy.]
These restrictions certainly tend to uniformity and good sport. The
yachts have to be constructed with _natural frames_, spaced not more
than two feet apart with steamed timbers, between with single pine,
larch, oak, pitch pine, American elm, English elm, bay wood or teak
planking, and decks. Iron floors are allowed, but no iron or steel
frames.
[Illustration: Calm weather.]
The size of racing flag at the main peak during a match to be 2 ft. 6
in. by 1 ft. 6 in.
Fore and aft sails--namely, mainsail jib and topsail only, and no
square sails or other sails set as square sails--must be used at Club
matches. No footsticks or jackyards are allowed to gaff topsails; no
booming out of the sails is permitted even by hand, except by sheets
hauled aft of the fairleader. Every yacht sailing in a race must carry
at least two life buoys ready for immediate use.
The general and sailing rules published by the Royal Windermere Yacht
Club are practical and ably drawn up.
As will be seen by the chart, Bowness is situated about a little north
of the half length of the Lake. The Ben Holme flag boat opposite, at
the north end, is the Waterhead flag buoy, and at the south end of the
lake is the Town Head buoy.
The club course is from the ferry round a flag buoy off Town Head at
the south extremity of the Lake and back to the Ben Holme flag boat,
opposite Bowness. The distance is 18 miles.
The Waterhead course is from Waterhead, N. extremity of the Lake,
round flag buoy, off Ben Holme (Bowness), thence round flag buoy in
Lowood Bay, thence round flag buoy in Pull Wyke Bay, thence round
Waterhead flag buoy, sailing the same course again and turning off
Waterhead. The natural formation of the surrounding district explains
the special necessity for the two life buoys ready for immediate use,
as squalls and stormy weather are characteristics of the Lake
district, although the regattas are sailed in the finest season,
during the month of July. The secretary, Lieut.-Col. Arthur L. Reade,
has courteously furnished details of this interesting inland club. The
photographs of the 'Beauties of the Lake' of Windermere are by Mr.
Bronskill, of Bowness.