The next year (1886) exhibited a still further advance in the well-being of the club. The number of regattas during the season was increased from eight to ten, exclusive of matches and the annual Royal Regatta, which this year took place at Stokes Bay. Numerous new and old yachts were added to the club tonnage, for the B and C cla.s.ses began to fill, and many a forgotten old heroine was made to come out and don her long-left-off racing suits. Of those which thus appeared all spick and span were the 'May,' 40 tons; 'Foxhound,' 35 tons; 'Veronica,' 92 tons; 'Terpsich.o.r.e,' 38 tons; 'Leander' and 'Nadejola,'

twenties; and 'Naiad' and 'Lily,' old Mersey tens. Of the new yachts the 'Hyacinth' was the fruit of the new cla.s.sification, as she was designed and built by Mr. Arthur Payne, to race in the B cla.s.s. This was the last year that any yachts were built to the 25-ft. and 21-ft.

cla.s.ses, the 'Verena,' 25 ft., and the 'Minima,' and 'Volador,' 21 ft., being the last that were laid down on the stocks.

The number of members up to this date had been steadily on the increase, so that by the end of the year the list had reached over 600. Since the club had started in 1880, over 73 regattas and matches had been held, and more than 2,600_l._ given in prizes--a past history such as few, if any, of the older clubs can show.

In 1887 the Yacht Racing a.s.sociation rating rule came into force, and though some races were provided for the 25-ft. cla.s.s, still the main racing was among the A, B, and C and rater cla.s.ses. The 'Thala.s.sa' and 'Stella' were the first representatives of the 2-1/2-raters, the 'Sybil,' 26 tons, and 'Mary,' 25 tons, coming out to wrest the prizes from the 'Hyacinth.'

The next year it was found quite impossible to suit all owners so as to fill every event on a programme. This was owing to there still being a tonnage cla.s.s, A, B and C, the new rating and the length cla.s.ses. The consequence was that only seven regattas came off during the season, exclusive of the Royal Regatta, which was again held at Bembridge. During the season of 1888, the question of shifting keels was brought before the club committee, and a hard fight was made to have them abolished. There was the same curious a.s.sortment of cla.s.ses as in the preceding year, because the rating rule had not as yet taken hold of the yacht-racing public.

By 1889 so great had become the popularity of the club and the demand for membership that it was decided to raise the annual subscription to 2_l._ 2_s._, with an entrance fee of 5_l._ 5_s._ for non-yacht-owners, and 2_l._ 2_s._ for yacht-owners. The rating cla.s.ses had now come into full swing, and the season started with a match for 20-raters, unique, in that it brought together no fewer than five newly launched compet.i.tors, viz.: the 'Chiqueta,' 'Dragon,' 'Ghost,' 'Siola,' and 'Velzie.' By the third regatta eight 2-1/2-raters were ready for the fray, seven of which were new boats that season--'c.o.c.k-a-whoop,'

'Cosette,' 'Humming Bird,' 'Madcap,' 'Nadador,' 'Heathen Chinee,' and 'Musume.' Among the 10-raters were the old 5-ton flyer 'Doris,' now swelled out to meet the more modern school, 'Fantan,' 'Dis,' 'Decima,'

and 'Ethel.' The new 'Blue Belle,' 'Tar Baby,' and sometimes the 'Thief,' formed the 5-rating cla.s.s.

The event of the season was the handicap race for the Cup given by the Queen, which took place on August 10. It was open to yachts of 20 tons and over, and 17 started. The course chosen lay to the eastward, from an imaginary line between the flagstaff on the Spit Fort, and the committee boat, round the Nab Lightship, west buoy of the middle and committee vessel, leaving all on the starboard hand, to finish between the committee vessel and the Spit buoy. There was a strong south-westerly breeze blowing all day, which suited the large yachts well, and some of the finest sailing of the year was witnessed by those who were fortunate enough to follow the race.

Nothing of note occurred during the 1890 period of the club's history.

The match which took place on August 2, for yachts rated at 40 tons and over, was the most successful of the season, for it brought together all the large cracks of the year, viz. the 'Iverna,' 119, 'Thistle,' 120, 'Valkyrie,' 76, and 'Yarana,' 72. The 5-rater cla.s.s proved a very full one, the leading yacht architects sending out as representatives of their skill the 'Valentine,' 'Glycera,' 'Quinque,'

'Alwida,' 'Archee,' and 'Fair Geraldine.' The 2-1/2-rater cla.s.s received as new additions the 'Troublesome,' 'Babe,' 'Janetta,'

'Dolphin,' 'Camilla,' and 'G.G.' A cla.s.s, however, which gave a fund of amus.e.m.e.nt, and was allowed a place in the club's programmes for the first time this year, was the 1/2-rater. No fewer than ten little boats formed its racing fleet, and were always ready to cross the line whenever a prize and race were offered them.

In 1891 these mosquitoes had a Champion Cup presented to them by Mr.

Blair Cochrane, and eleven started at the third regatta of the season for this trophy, which was won by the little 'Kittiwake,' the 'Coquette' coming in second. Another new cla.s.s, for 1-raters, was started this year, but only four compet.i.tors composed it, among them being the 'Kelpie,' 'Samoena,' and 'Unit.' The Royal Regatta was held at Wootton Creek on August 8, and the annual race round the Island was perhaps the best race of the season. It will be seen that, after the rating rule came into force, racing among old cast-offs found no further favour in the eyes of the community, and as an example of the modern programme, the following on the next page, which is that of the Royal Regatta, is a very good specimen.

Of the sailing committee, which has done so much good work, there are names that have appeared on its list as serving members almost from the time a sailing committee was first formed. Capt. Sutton, the honoured Vice-Commodore, and Mr. Gilman, the Hon. Treasurer, deserve first mention, as they have been office-holders from the foundation of the club, and Mr. Gilman's name appears in the earliest committee list. Admiral Hallowes and Major Bulkeley are next in order of seniority. Capt. Hayes, R.N., Messrs. Crampton and A. H. Glennie (the latter is the present Rear-Commodore) follow in order, while Capt.

Nottage, Messrs. Flemmich, Laity, Walford, and Wildy bring up the rear. The membership of a sailing committee of such a club as the Royal Portsmouth Corinthian is no sinecure, and a man must be a keen yachtsman who will undertake the duties entailed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Yarana' (now 'Maid Marion').

_72 tons._ _Designed by G. L. Watson_, 1883.]

ROYAL PORTSMOUTH CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB

1891.

_Commodore_--GENERAL H.S.H. PRINCE EDWARD OF SAXE-WEIMAR, G.C.B.

_Vice-Commodore_--CAPTAIN F. SUTTON ('Gadfly,' 20 tons).

_Rear-Commodore_--J. R. WEST, Esq. ('Goshawk,' 239 tons).

THE ANNUAL REGATTA

_Under the Patronage of their Royal Highnesses_ THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES

Will take place (weather permitting) OFF WOOTTON CREEK, _On Sat.u.r.day, August 8th._

FIRST RACE--YACHTS of 40-rating.

PRIZE, Cup value Sixty Guineas, presented by A. H. Glennie, Esq.

Helmsman, value 5_l._ 5_s._ Entrance fee, 3_l._

SECOND RACE--HANDICAP--YACHTS of 60-rating and upwards.

FIRST, value 50_l._ } } prizes presented by A. H. Glennie, Esq.

SECOND, value 25_l._ } Entrance fee, 50_s._ Helmsman, value 5_l._ 5_s._, presented by F. C. Hill, Esq.

THIRD RACE--HANDICAP--YACHTS under 60-rating.

FIRST PRIZE, value 25_l._, presented by Julian Senior, Esq.

SECOND PRIZE, value 10_l._ Entrance fee, 25_s._

FOURTH RACE--YACHTS of 20-rating.

FIRST PRIZE, value 20_l._, presented by S. M. Richards, Esq.

SECOND PRIZE, value 5_l._, presented by Lt.-Col. A. D. MacGregor.

Entrance fee, 20_s._

FIFTH RACE--YACHTS over 2-1/2, but not exceeding 5-rating.

FIRST PRIZE, a Silver Cup, presented by Captain A. K. Wilson R.N., V.C., C.B., and Officers H.M.S. 'Vernon.'

SECOND PRIZE, value 5_l._ 5_s._, presented by W. A. Beauclerk, Esq.

Entrance fee, 15_s._

SIXTH RACE--YACHTS not exceeding 2-1/2-rating.

FIRST PRIZE, the 'Fernie' Cup, value 10_l._ 10_s._ (presented by Mrs.

Fernie in memory of the late Robertson Fernie, Esq.) SECOND PRIZE, value 5_l._ 5_s._, presented by the Vice-Commodore, Captain F. Sutton. Entrance fee, 10_s._ 6_d._

SEVENTH RACE--YACHTS of 1-rating.

FIRST PRIZE, value 6_l._ 6_s._, presented by Rear-Admiral Hallowes.

SECOND PRIZE, value 2_l._ 2_s._, presented by Colonel F. J. Smith, R.E.

Entrance fee, 6_s._

EIGHTH RACE--YACHTS of 1/2-rating, belonging to any recognised Yacht Club.

FIRST, value 3_l._ _3s._ Prizes presented by Paul A. Ralli, Esq.

SECOND, value 2_l._ 2_s._ Entrance fee, 3_s._

NINTH RACE--SERVICE YACHTS.

FIRST PRIZE, value 5_l._ _5s._, presented by A. G. Wildy, Esq.

SECOND PRIZE, value 2_l._ 2_s._ Entrance fee, 5_s._

All Yachts must belong to the club, eighth and ninth races excepted.

Yachts in all the races must be steered by Amateur Members of any recognised Yacht Club. The Races will be sailed according to Y.R.A.

Rules. Exceptions, time of entry, _two_ to compete or no race; _four_, or no second prize.