Through the club's agency, it must not be forgotten, telegraphic communication was opened up between Hunter's Quay, Glasgow, and the outer world. The club provided an office and guaranteed the sum required by the Post Office authorities, and by so doing conferred a benefit not only on themselves but on the whole surrounding neighbourhood.

Early in 1888 the club was engaged in determining the several cla.s.ses under which yachts built to the 'rating rule,' as it was called, should sail. For this purpose, Messrs. R. Wylie and J. B. Hilliard, the two well-known representative Clyde yachtsmen, were chosen delegates to consult with the other leading yacht clubs in the North regarding the adjustment of a cla.s.sification for the smaller yachts and sailing boats racing on the Clyde, and full powers were given them to carry out any decision that might be arrived at. Those adopted were the 10, 6 and 3 rating cla.s.ses with two length cla.s.ses, one of 17 ft.

on the water-line and 19 ft. over all, with a sail area limited to 530 ft.; the mainsail or lugsail not to exceed .75 of the total sail area; the other cla.s.s to be for boats 15 ft. on the water-line. The 6-rating cla.s.s was chosen that it might form one in which the 3-tonners of the preceding year would be able to enter, as they ranged over 5 and under 6 as raters. At the time these changes were taking place a rule was introduced that there were to be no 'restrictions on the use of centreboards.'

The great feature of this year's regatta was the 'Queen's Cup,' the second presented to the club within five years, an event of which the members may justly be proud. In the interim between the Corinthian and annual regattas a channel match round Arran was inaugurated, for yachts not exceeding 9 tons Thames measurement and belonging to any recognised yacht club, for 50_l._, given in two prizes of 35_l._ and 15_l._, and presented by two members of the club. The course lay from Hunter's Quay down the Firth, through the Kyles of Bute, down Kilbrennan Sound between Arran and Cantyre, rounding Pladda Island, and home by any route. The yachts were to be _bona fide_ cruisers, and only jib-topsails were prohibited. No restrictions were made as to crew or helmsman. No fewer than eight small yachts sailed in the race, and it proved a far greater success than was at first expected.

If this is to be known as the second Queen's Cup year, it will also have to be remembered for the terrible fire and loss of the club-house and hotel on July 12, nothing of which was saved, with the exception of some furniture, one or two models, and a few odds and ends. A club could be called upon to face no greater calamity, especially at a time when the season is at its height. Craigend Villa, within a short distance of the old house, was promptly rented as a makeshift for a year, and fitted up to meet all immediate necessities, while steps were taken at once to make arrangements for the building of a new house on the old site. To forward this the sum of 10,000_l._ was voted, which with another 8,000_l._ did not cover all the expenses. At the present moment there does not exist a more beautiful or conveniently arranged yacht club-house in the kingdom.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Verve'

_23-footer_ (_Robert Wylie, Esq._)]

Notwithstanding the liberal sums devoted by the club to match sailing, there have always been at each regatta meeting a plentiful supply of cups and purses forthcoming to swell the list of prizes, the gifts of individual members. To enumerate all the donors would be out of place here, but it is impossible to overlook such names as Bell, Buchanon, Clark, Coates, Falconer, Ferguson, Forrester, Lockett, Ure, Wylie, and York, names which will ever be linked with the club's successful past.

The year 1890 was remarkable princ.i.p.ally for the number of 10-raters belonging to members, and entered for races in that cla.s.s. It seemed like a resuscitation of the old 10-tonner days. On the other hand, the Clyde, the home of the 5-tonner, had not a single 5-rater to its name, and a 6-rating cla.s.s had to be formed to take in the Irish contingent, which with Mr. Inglis's little 'Darthula' raced for the prizes provided for them. The 2-1/2-rater cla.s.s made its entry in the club programmes, and started with a small fleet of seven yachts, including four belonging to the Royal Ulster Yacht Club; but in 1891 this cla.s.s became the fashionable cla.s.s of the year, and the club of itself could boast of no fewer than eight of these small fry.

The fleet belonging to the club in the year 1857 numbered 56 yachts, mostly of very small tonnage. By 1867 the number had risen to 87 only, but then the gross tonnage was very much greater, viz. 1,200 tons. In 1877 there were 194 yachts, including a few screw steamers. In the year 1887, 189 names appeared on the club yacht list, i.e. five fewer than in 1877, but the total tonnage on the other hand amounted to 12,302 tons. The last half-decade, however, has quite eclipsed all preceding years, for the yachts now flying the Royal Clyde Yacht Club burgee number 267, which represent a gross tonnage of no less than 14,407 tons. Last year not far short of 1,000_l._ was given in prizes.

The club at the present time numbers 951 members, which will be seen to be an increase of over 300 within the last five years. It is a pleasure seldom accorded to writers of club histories to have to record such an exceptional advance, and in bidding farewell to the society, it may be firmly hoped and prophesied that long ere the close of its fourth decade the R.C.Y.C. will have increased its list of members to over four figures and its yachts and yacht-tonnage in proportion.

THE ROYAL FORTH YACHT CLUB

BY R. T. PRITCHETT

The Forth Club was established in 1848 under the name of the 'Granton Yacht Club,' and received permission from the Queen to a.s.sume the t.i.tle of 'Royal Forth' in 1883. The flag of the club is the blue ensign of Her Majesty's fleet, with a gold crown and Maltese cross.

The club is now well supported, having as patron the Duke of Buccleuch, K.T. Sir Donald Currie, K.C.M.G., is Commodore, backed by a very influential staff. The Hon. Secretary is Mr. Bruce Fenwick. The number of members amounts to nearly 2,000, with a total tonnage of about 4,600; but the Firth of Forth has serious disadvantages as a yachting centre, being favoured neither by nature nor circ.u.mstances as is the Firth of Clyde, which absorbs all yachting interests. Mr. T. B.

C. West, who carried off the Queen's Cup at the Regatta in 1892 with his well-known 40-rater 'Queen Mab,' presented a challenge cup of 100 guineas, to be sailed for annually in the month of June. That, however, was not sufficient inducement to get a large entry. The fact is there are so many regattas now that the tendency is to concentration, and consequently outlying stations suffer.

The Royal Forth Yacht Club had a match in June 1893, at the beginning of their water sports, from Hartlepool to Granton, for a prize of 30_l._ The starters were

The Creole Cutter 40-rater Lieut.-Col. Bagot.

Daydream Yawl 89- " Mr. James Shepherd.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Royal Forth Yacht Club Courses.]

The wind was very light at the start, which took place at 10.50 A.M.

on Thursday, June 22. Later on light airs from east-north-east helped them; but off the Farne Islands--without any notice or disturbed appearance in the sky--a tremendous squall struck 'Creole'; she, however, behaved splendidly, and was specially well handled. By Sat.u.r.day morning the weather had moderated and they got the mainsail on her and ran up past Inch Keith, getting the gun at 11.34 A.M. from the 'Iolanthe.'

The larger vessel, the yawl of 89-rating, had her troubles too, and finally got into the Tyne on Sat.u.r.day morning, under storm canvas.

On the last day of the racing--June 26--there was a match for yachts belonging to the Royal Forth Yacht Club, for the T. B. C. West Challenge Cup, the entries confined to members of the club. Five yachts entered for the race, over a course of forty miles. The tonnage was very small, and the handicap one of large range; it will be noted that 'Ida,' at scratch, allowed 'Lintie' 1 hr. 23 mins. 48 secs.

+---------------+--------+-------------------+-----------------------+ | | | | | | Yacht Rig | Rating | Handicap | Owners | |---------------+--------+-------------------+-----------------------| | | | | | | Ida Cutter | 12 | Scratch | Messrs. Park & Wilson | | Nora " | 8 | 12 m. 24 s. | Dr. W. S. Armitage | | Ura.n.u.s " | 3.9 | 36 m. 47 s. | Mr. F. A. Robertson | | Glance " | 3.7 | 40 m. 42 s. | Mr. W. A. Bell | | Lintie Lug | -- | 1 hr. 23 m. 48 s. | Mr. G. W. Mitch.e.l.l | +---------------+--------+-------------------+-----------------------+

The start took place at 10.37 A.M., with a nice breeze from the north-west. 'Lintie' led off, but 'Nora' soon took up the running and led all the way home, finishing at Granton:--

h. m. s.

Nora (winner) 6 21 32 Ida 6 29 30 Ura.n.u.s 6 47 0 Glance 7 42 32 Lintie 7 58 0

This will give some idea of the application of time allowance.

The ROYAL EASTERN, established 1835, is a small Scottish Club whose existence may be noted; but yachting does not flourish much on the East Coast.

CHAPTER III

IRISH CLUBS

THE ROYAL CORK YACHT CLUB

BY R. T. PRITCHETT

The ancestral origin of this club, which has its station at Queenstown, was the Water Club of the Harbour of Cork, established in 1720. It is therefore the _doyen par excellence_, and its rules and orders as carried out in its early days are original and entertaining.

A few of the rules may be quoted:

I. Ordered that the Water Club be held once every spring tide, from the first spring tide in April to the last in September inclusive.

II. That no Admiral do bring more than two dishes of meat for the entertainment of the club.

III. Resolved that no Admiral presume to bring more than two dozen of wine to his treat, for it has always been deemed a breach of the ancient rules and const.i.tutions of the club, except when my Lords the Judges are invited.

V. Ordered that the Secretary do prepare an Union flag, with the Royal Irish harp and crown on a green field in the centre.

Ordered that the Water Club flag be hoisted on club days early in the morning on the Castle of Haulbowline.

IX. Ordered that no long tail wigs, large sleeves or ruffles be worn by any member at the club.

Ordered that when any of the fleet join the Admiral, if they have not guns to salute they are to give three cheers, which are to be returned by the Admiral, and one cheer to be returned by the Captain so saluting.

XIII. Resolved that twenty-five be the whole number of the members that this club may consist of.

XIV. Resolved that such members of the club or others as shall talk of sailing after dinner be fined a b.u.mper.

XX. Ordered that the Knight of the Island for the time being do suffer no person or persons whatsoever to go into the club room, unless brought by a member, or by an order of five members at the least, under their hands, on pain of being cashiered.

XXI. That the Admiral singly, or any three captains whom he shall appoint, do decide all controversies and disputes that may arise in the club, and any Captain that shall refuse to abide by such decision is to be expelled. N.B. This order to extend to the Chaplain, or any other inferior officer.

_April 21, 1737._--Ordered that for the future, unless the company exceed the number of fifteen, no man be allowed more than one bottle to his share, and a peremptory. [What a 'peremptory' was remains a mystery.]

_Old Members_, 1720

Lord Inchiquin Hon. James...o...b..yen Charles O'Neal Henry Mitch.e.l.l Rich. Bullen, Chaplain John Rogers