Yachting Volume Ii Part 7

No.

1. Thomas Pottinger (Admiral 1825) 2. John Turnley 3. J. E. Matthews 4. R. Kennedy 5. Robert Thomson (first secretary) 1824, and admiral, 1827 6. Gordon Thomson 7. G. Matthews 8. Henry J. McCracken 9. Edward S. Ruthven 10. Thos. Ch. Stewart Corry 11. George Russell 12, 13, 14. McCrackens, junrs.

15. J. Smyth, Helensburgh (for many years Commodore of R.N.Y.C.) 16. J. Carrick, Greenock 17. Robert Langtry 18. Robert Christian, Sligo 19. Claudius Armstrong, Dublin 20. Robert F. Gordon 21. Edward Forbes Orson, Balyreggan House, Stranraer 22. John Kennedy, Cuttra

The records of the Scotch division prior to 1846 were unfortunately destroyed by an accident some years ago. The minute-book of the Irish division has, however, survived. From it we find that at a meeting of gentlemen interested in the foundation of the Northern Yacht Club, held at Belfast on November 5, 1824, it was resolved 'that the establishment of a yacht club is a highly desirable object.' A committee was accordingly appointed to that end, Mr. Robert Thomson being requested to act as secretary, and at a general meeting held April 8, 1825, Mr. John Allan of Glasgow accepted the post of secretary for the Clyde. At a general meeting at Belfast May 2, 1825, the secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Allan, to consult with the Scotch members and fix with them the place of rendezvous for the first general meeting of the boats of the club. The date arranged was the first Monday in June, and the Irish members declared that they were ready to meet the Scotch members 'in any part of the Clyde' on that day.

The club was known as the Northern Yacht Club. There is no record in the minute-book of the burgee adopted, but in an old picture, now in the club-house at Rothesay, the yachts are shown cruising off Garroch Head, in the Clyde, with red ensigns, the burgee also red, with the letters N.Y.C. in white. The present secretary has courteously sent a photograph of this picture, also of the flags, as an historical contribution. The first prizes offered were for pulling (rowing) matches to take place in Ireland.

The Marquis of Donegall was the first President of the club, and Mr.

Thos. Pottinger, Admiral for 1825.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Royal Northern flags.]

The full dress of the club consisted of a blue coat with crimson silk lining, with 'Marall's' vest, white or black pantaloons or breeches, and silk stockings to correspond. Members who appeared at the dinners of the club without this dress were fined 10s. At a general meeting held at Greenock, on August 3, 1825, Mr. James Hamilton, of Holmhead, was appointed Admiral for the ensuing year.

In May 1826, at Belfast, the yachts were divided into three cla.s.ses:--

1st cla.s.s over 30 tons register 2nd " " 15 " "

3rd " under 15 " "

The first regatta took place at Belfast, June 20, 21, 22, and on June 23 pulling races were rowed by members and their friends. On June 24 the yachts were to sail together 'in a fleet,' and 'manoeuvre under the directions of the Admiral.' This is quite an echo of the Cork Water 1720 Club.

A proposal of the Scottish members to separate the Club into two distinct branches was agreed to on May 16, 1827. It was probably after this date that each division had a distinguishing burgee; from an old print of these flags now in the club-house at Rothesay, the Irish division seems to have flown a red burgee with a harp, the Scottish division being distinguished by a lion in white.

H.M. King William IV. became Patron of the club in September 1830, and from that time it was known as the Royal Northern Yacht Club.

In 1831 the yachts of the Club were arranged in cla.s.ses as under:--

1st cla.s.s over 75 tons register 2nd " " 50 tons and under 75 tons 3rd " " 30 " " " 50 "

4th " " 20 " " " 30 "

5th " " 15 " " " 20 "

6th " under 15 tons

A two days' regatta was held at Belfast in 1836. The different cla.s.ses just described were started at an interval of half an hour between each, beginning at 10.30 A.M., the prize for each cla.s.s being ten sovereigns. On the second day a very important event took place, the race for the Belfast Cup, value 100_l._, a time race for all sizes.

Eight vessels to start, or no race. Entry 3_l._; the second yacht to save her stake. It is to be regretted that the details of this race cannot be given. On May 21, 1838, at a meeting held of the few remaining members of the Irish division, it was resolved to dissolve that half of the Club and hand over any funds (they amounted to 14_l._ 17_s._ 2_d._) to the secretary of the Scottish division.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Northern Yacht Club cruising off Garroch Head, 1825.

(_From a Painting by Hutcheson at R.N.Y. Club, Rothesay._)]

It is unfortunate that the records of the Scottish division and of the Royal Northern Club, after the dissolution and prior to 1846, have been lost. It had prospered much. The Clyde was developing rapidly and with great energy, as is shown by their four days' Regatta in 1835, the first day at Helensburgh, the second at Greenock, the third at Dunoon, the fourth at Largs, which is without doubt one of the most enthusiastic of yachting stations.

It would be well to record here the cracks of the Clyde in 1835. The 'Gleam' (see ill.u.s.tration on next page), Falcon, 'Nymph' and 'Clarence,' were very leading craft.

Tartar 30 tons A. Morris Sylph 30 " J. Crooks Dream 66 " A. Ranken Gleam (Fife)[3] 30 " H. Gore Booth Clarence 15 " R. Sinclair Amethyst 20 " J. Smith Wave 15 " T. C. Buchanan Emma 15 " Jas. Bogle Falcon 15 " Jas. Kerr Nymph 15 " H. F. Campbell

[Footnote 3: The first celebrated cutter by Fife of Fairlie was 'Lamlash,' 1814.]

Clyde yachting was now firmly established; Largs, Gourock, Greenock, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Rothesay, were the stations most frequented, and each successive season brings them forward more prominently, with well-sustained reputation.

The present club-house at Rothesay was built in 1878, and the Royal Northern Yacht Club regattas are naturally always now held at that place, started from the Commodore's yacht which is moored off Craigmore for that purpose. A chart of the course is given, showing the whole set of different distances.

The prominent feature of this club is that it has from a very early period of its history had a club yacht, which is open to hire by members for periods not exceeding a fortnight, and fine vessels they have from time to time chosen. The first was the well-known 'Orion,'

then came 'Mosquito,' a grand iron boat built in 1848, designed by Waterman, and now a pilot boat doing good work. 'aeolus' came next. In 1885 the club had their present vessel, the 'Ailsa,' 66 tons, built by Fife of Fairlie; and who better could have been chosen?

It has already been mentioned that Mr. John Allan, of Glasgow, was the first secretary for the Clyde, 1825. Mr. E. F. Donald is the present secretary.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Midship Section.

'Gleam,' designed and built by Fife of Fairlie, 1834.]

There is no doubt that, if variety be really charming, very charming weather can be found in the Clyde waters, even within the six-hour limit: dead calm, Zephyr, good sailing breeze, rain squalls, white squalls, and the rest.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Royal Northern Yacht Club, Rothesay.]

ROYAL CLYDE YACHT CLUB

BY G. L. BLAKE

The history of the Royal Clyde Yacht Club affords one more proof of the old belief that slow and steady progress is the most enduring.

It is now nearly forty years since the following very modest announcement, under the heading 'Clyde Model Yacht Club,' appeared in the 'Glasgow Herald,' of August 28, 1856:--

A number of gentlemen connected with yachting propose to form a club under the above designation, with the view of furthering a greater amount of emulation amongst the proprietors of small yachts. It is proposed to take in yachts under 8 tons only, being the smallest acknowledged by the Royal Northern Yacht Club, and to have an annual regatta, to be held in rotation at the various watering-places along the coast.

In answer to this call a meeting was held shortly after at the Globe Hotel, Glasgow, on which occasion about thirty-one gentlemen entered their names on the club's list as members. Messrs. Jas. Gilchrist, Archibald Kennedy, Richard Ferguson, Jas. Mum, J. Gibson, Jas.

Spencer, Jas. Sutherland, and W. Kennedy were chosen to form the first committee and draw up a code of rules, Mr. W. Kennedy acting as secretary and treasurer.

At a general meeting held the following month, September, the late Mr.

Jas. Smith, of Jordan Hill, was elected first Commodore, and Mr. Tom Holdsworth Vice-Commodore, and before the end of the year the little club boasted some fifty members.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Royal Clyde Yacht Club Hunter's Quay. Est. 1856.]

On January 27, 1857, the Admiralty warrant was granted, allowing the club to fly the blue ensign with their burgee: blue with a red lion on a yellow shield in centre. Measuring officers were told off, who had to deal with the old Thames Rule of measurement, excepting in the method of taking the length, the club rule being that 'the length must be taken from outside of the stem to the outside of the sternpost at half the depth of each from the load water-line.' A curious provision was made, too, with regard to racing flags. The club had a series of flags numbered from 1 to 10, and each yacht was provided with a number according to priority of entry for a race, but this kindly thoughtfulness on the part of the ruling powers did not continue beyond a couple of seasons, and members had to provide racing flags for themselves, as they have done ever since.

Though an opening and other cruises had been held, together with a small meeting at Largs, the first great event of the Clyde Model Yacht Club took place on August 29, 1857, off Helensburgh, when four items made up the programme, and Captain Small, Messrs. James Rowan, James Gilchrist, Robert Hart, Dan Buchanon and Thomas Falconer did duty as the sailing committee. The Commodore's yacht 'Wave' was moored off the baths for the occasion, and the course chosen was from the Commodore round the Shoal buoy--thence round a flag boat moored off Ardmore Point and back round the Commodore's yacht, leaving all on the port hand; twice round for the first and second races, and once round for the third and fourth.

The first race was for yachts of 8 tons and under, and for this the 'Fairy Queen,' 8 tons, Mr. Grant, junior; 'Armada,' 7-1/2 tons, Mr.

d.i.c.kie; 'Bella,' 8 tons, Mr. Walker; and 'Maud,' 8 tons, Mr. St. Clair Byrne, sailed, and finished in the order given.

In the second face for yachts of 6 tons and under, the 'Pearl,' 4-1/2 tons, Mr. Ferguson; 'Maria,' 5 tons, Mr. R. Lyall; 'Leda,' 6 tons, Mr.

Alexander Finlay; 'Comet,' 5 tons, Mr. Steven; and 'Clutha,' 5 tons, Mr. Spencer, entered, the three first coming in as named.

The third race, for yachts of 4 tons and under, brought four compet.i.tors together--the 'Francis,' 3-1/2 tons, Mr. Miller; 'Lily,'

3-1/2 tons, Mr. Ure; 'Echo,' 2-1/2 tons, Mr. Sutherland; and the 'Banshee,' 4 tons, Mr. Taylor. The 'Francis' won, followed home in the order as above. The fourth item was for boats of 19 ft. over all, a cla.s.s which, though developed almost out of recognition, has always remained a firm favourite.

It may here be noted that an attempt made at the close of the season to introduce the American 'sail area' rule of measurement signally failed.

Between the years 1857 and 1862 little of importance took place.