Yachting Volume Ii Part 16

'Dorothy,' 'Fancy,' 'Mehalah,' 'Genie,' 'Magnolia,' 'Saivnara,' 'March Hare,' 'Narwhal,' 'Nyleptha,' and 'Macnab.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Tottie,' Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, 21-ft. cla.s.s.]

During the last two or three years prizes have been offered for 2-1/2-raters, but the cla.s.s has not as yet taken any hold on the Thames men, the only entries having been 'Camilla' and 'c.o.c.k-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 'b.u.t.tercup' 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 foresh.o.r.e 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 cla.s.s 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 ill.u.s.tration, 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 a.s.sociation 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 a.s.sociated 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 ill.u.s.trated 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

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 a.s.sist 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 a.s.sociations.

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 ill.u.s.tration 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 const.i.tute a great charm, though crews in racing craft have not much time to admire picturesque landscape.

[Ill.u.s.tration: '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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Royal Windermere Yacht Club, Bowness.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fair wind round the buoy.]

These restrictions certainly tend to uniformity and good sport. The yachts have to be constructed with _natural frames_, s.p.a.ced 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.