Yachting Volume Ii Part 8

During 1863 the first symptoms of a break out from bounds was exhibited, and prizes were given for a race for yachts of 25 tons and under, besides one for yachts of 10 tons and under. A stipulation was made with regard to the latter race--viz. that each yacht was to be manned by one hand only, a dangerous though sporting condition which had previously brought disaster and proved fatal in Irish waters, and has never been permitted since. Both races filled, Mr. Fulton's 'Glide,' 14 tons, won the first, and Mr. McIver's 'Brenda,' 8 tons, the second.

With this divergence from the original scheme on which the club was founded the society threw off its old name and came out under the more independent t.i.tle of the Clyde Yacht Club. To celebrate this era the annual regatta was lengthened out to a two days' programme, and the 'Lesbia,' 37, cutter; 'Reverie,' 41, schooner; 'Kilmeny,' 30, cutter, and 'Dawn,' yawl, met to do battle with the 15-ton 'Torch,' the crack of the year. Besides the annual regatta, at which yachts from all parts of the kingdom were invited to compete, the Corinthian regatta of the club must not be lost sight of or hidden away behind the l.u.s.tre of the great event of the season. It had formed part of each season's programme of events for some years, and had been the means of cultivating a true taste for amateur seamans.h.i.+p. Many a member can look back to his first Corinthian race as the beginning of his practical experience in yacht racing. The races at these regattas have been mostly handicaps, and two or three are always open to yachts in cruising trim. The only conditions of the regatta are that 'Yachts may carry their ordinary paid hands, but no extra paid hands, and must be steered by members of a yacht club.'

It is always pleasant to meet with names which are as well known as the club to which they belong, to whom their club owes much, and whose pride and interests are centred in its prosperity. It was in 1863 that two such members' names were added to the official list--the late Mr.

J. A. Lockett as Rear-Commodore and Mr. William York as treasurer.

Both these gentlemen have for the last thirty years been busily engaged in furthering the welfare of the club, the one in his capacity as secretary or treasurer, or both, the other in several offices, but princ.i.p.ally as one of the house committee.

When the year 1867 closed the Clyde Yacht Club's first racing decade, the club was well under way and able to hold its own with any existing yacht-racing community, both as a provider of sport and for the attractions offered to the lovers of yachts and yachting, when with their friends they were brought together on the waters of the 'Bonny Clyde.' This was noticeable in 1863, but it became much more so in 1865, when the well-known clippers 'Mosquito,' 59 tons; 'Glance,' 35 tons; 'Fiona,' 78 tons; and the 'Vindex,' 44 tons, came round to the Firth to sail under the Clyde Club's auspices.

Though opening and closing cruises had always been in vogue since the foundation of the club, it was left for the tenth year to start the long series of these expeditions, which last from a Thursday to the Monday morning following, and, with the combined attractions of racing, cruising and social gatherings, have proved such pleasant features in each season's yachting. The list of members had now reached over 100, while the yacht tonnage had risen to 1,200 gross, comprising 87 yachts of 5 to 103 tons. Among these were included the three most successful yachts of the year in the United Kingdom, and, to the praise of the Clyde sh.o.r.es it may be said, all built and designed by Mr. W. Fife of Fairlie--the 'Fiona' in the 1st, the 'Kilmeny' in the 2nd, and the 'Torch' in the 3rd cla.s.s.

The season of 1868 would have pa.s.sed without note or comment had it not been that the club founded an annual Corinthian match, in which two paid hands were to be allowed for yachts of 15 tons and over, and one paid hand to all the smaller yachts. The helmsman was to be an amateur, and no _shot-bag or s.h.i.+fting ballast_ of any kind was to be permitted. Besides proving that the club possessed amateur seamen capable of handling a racing yacht of any size, the fact that that unseaworthy equipment s.h.i.+fting ballast, which had been in use in the Clyde foot cla.s.ses and in most racing yachts during the early Fifties, was to be abolished, at all events in this race, was a move in the right direction.

1869 is a year of real historical importance, for it not only gives the date when the 40-, 20-, and 10-ton cla.s.ses became generally acknowledged, but it brings credit to the Clyde Yacht Club where credit is due, as being the founder of these cla.s.ses, which held sway for so many years. A year later the club was the first to introduce the smaller cla.s.s of 5 tons as a standing dish in its regatta programmes, and to the Clyde Yacht Club belongs the honour of being the first in the field to recognise that this diminutive cla.s.s of flyers was well worthy on its own merits of being encouraged.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Start for Ardrishaig Cup.]

Channel matches had been long ere this time a matter of annual interest with some of the clubs in the south of England, as well as the Royal Alfred Yacht Club at Kingstown, and Royal Northern in Scotland; but the sport of Channel racing and open-sea work had either not been thought of, or had met with no favour, for the first Channel match held in connection with the Clyde Club did not take place till 1871. The race came off after the regatta held that year at Barrow and before the Clyde regattas, the course being from Barrow to the Clyde, so that the yachts about to visit and race in the Firth might find it worth their while to put on a spurt and make the best of their way to their destination. No better course could be chosen for trying a vessel on all points of sailing, to say nothing of her sea-going powers, including as it does the pa.s.sage between the Isle of Man and the Mull of Galloway. For this race the 'Enid,' 57 tons; 'Livonia,'

280; 'Glance,' 35; and 'Coralie,' 35, started, all yachts at that date as racers. The 'Glance' saved her time and carried off the trophy.

If 1871 opened up Channel groping under racing trim, 'progress' must truly be held the motto for 1872. Not only was the club made a Royal club, and allowed the privilege of placing a crown over the lion's head in the burgee crest, but early in the spring of this year the Royal Clyde opened to its members the house which Mr. Hunter, of Hafton, had built for them at Hunter's Quay adjoining the hotel.

Of course with a settled headquarters, Hunter's Quay became the future rendezvous for all club fixtures, such as opening and closing cruises, regattas, matches and the like; and as the opening cruise this year may be considered the first general meeting of members afloat off the new house, it will not be amiss to give a short description of it. The meeting took place on Thursday, May 30, and began at 2 P.M. with a lunch at the club-house, after which at 4 P.M. the yachts weighed anchor under the Commodore, and sailed under his orders till the signal was made from the flags.h.i.+p for them to make the best of their way to Rothesay. On arrival there, those who were not required on board their vessels to stow sails and clear up for the night took their dinghies ash.o.r.e, or were taken in their gigs, for a stroll through the old town. In the meantime on board the yachts, as soon as the decks had been cleared up and ropes coiled down in their places, the galley fires were lighted, so that by 7 P.M. the men had had their tea, and the cooks and stewards were ready with goodly repasts awaiting the coming on board again of the hungry masters and their friends.

Dinner over, the pleasures of the evening began with what is known as 's.h.i.+p-visiting'--that is, the yacht-owner starts off, and either rows himself and friends in his dinghy, or is rowed in correct form, to some friend's yacht where he may remain, or, after a short visit, proceed, taking with him his host and as many of his friends as he can pack away in the gig's stern-sheets, to some other yacht, and so on _ad infinitum_. To row himself is much the better plan, since it means independence of the crew (which perhaps may consist only of one hand), and avoidance of a troubled conscience, that the man or men are being kept up and prevented from turning in.

The following morning only a few burgees were visible, most of the yachts having donned their silken racing flags, for an early start had to be made in a handicap race to be sailed _via_ the Garroch Head (the most south-westerly extremity of the Isle of Bute) to Tignabruich.

More than half the yachts were started in this race, for which four cups were provided as prizes. The contingent of small non-racers made Tignabruich by way of the Kyles of Bute, as did also some of the larger sailing yachts, which preferred calm and untroubled travelling to a dusting round the Garroch Head. The gathering at the head of the Kyles is, if anything, more enjoyable than that spent at Rothesay. The anchorage is more land-locked, and therefore less liable to disturbance from winds or sweeping seas, and s.h.i.+p-visiting can be carried on without any fear of a ducking or other unpleasantness.

On the Sat.u.r.day morning, the members of the club and their friends breakfasted together at 9.30 at the Royal Hotel, when the prizes were presented to the winners; after which a few returned to their yachts, got under way, and dispersed with the object of extending their cruise, while those left behind remained to enjoy the beautiful scenery and walks with which the locality abounds, and on Sunday attend church parade on board Lord Glasgow's yacht.

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

_Blue, with white cross. 68 tons_ (_J. Coats, Jun., Esq._). _Built by Steele & Co._, 1883.]

Beyond the adoption by the club of the Royal Alfred Yacht Club rules and regulations, nothing of any moment worth chronicling took place till 1875, in which year the purchase was completed by the club of the whole of the grounds and buildings, including the hotel and club-house, and early in 1876 the members enjoyed the privilege of not only having a club-house, but also an establishment worked on the principle of a private hotel, where they could provide themselves and their families or friends with comfortable quarters on very reasonable club terms.

In this matter the Royal Clyde Yacht Club is specially fortunate, as also in one other, viz. the magnificent scenic setting by which their possession is surrounded. Nothing can equal the Holy Loch for beauty and charm of colour, on a summer's evening, particularly about sunset, or an early winter's morning, with its sunrise lowering and accompanied by ever-changing tints lending their enchantments to the rugged grandeur of the hills which bound it. This, with the distant view up the Clyde, obtained from the club-house windows or frontage, is not to be surpa.s.sed in any country in the world.

At the opening of the season of 1877, and the close of the second decade, the club numbered no fewer than 643 members, with a fleet of yachts computed at 195, and as the Club Regatta now occupied two days, the three Clyde clubs--viz. the Royal Clyde, the Royal Northern, and the four-year-old Mudhook Yacht Club--considered it necessary to work together for the furtherance of sport, and held their first meeting to arrange a suitable date for celebrating a 'Clyde Week.' A change was also made this season in the several courses at the regattas, a change which had been for some time considered desirable, and which turned out a welcome improvement.

The new courses were as follows: For First-Cla.s.s Yachts, from Hunter's Quay to Toward buoy, thence to Skelmorlie buoy, thence to the Powder Vessel's buoy, and thence to Hunter's Quay, leaving all on the port hand; twice round, distance 50 miles.

The Second-Cla.s.s Course lay from Hunter's Quay to Skelmorlie buoy, thence to the Powder Vessel's buoy, and thence to Hunter's Quay, leaving all on the port hand; twice round, distance 40 miles.

The Third-Cla.s.s Course was from Hunter's Quay to a flagboat moored in Inverkip Bay, thence to the Powder Vessel's buoy and back to Hunter's Quay; twice round, distance 30 miles.

The Fourth-Cla.s.s Course was from Hunter's Quay to the Inverkip flagboat, and back to Hunter's Quay; twice round, distance 24 miles.

The Fifth-Cla.s.s Course lay from Hunter's Quay to a flagboat moored off Dunoon Pier, thence to a flagboat moored off Kilcreggan and back to Hunter's Quay; twice round, distance 11 miles.

Another new feature this season was the introduction of the Yacht Racing a.s.sociation's scale of time allowances, based originally on that drawn up for the Royal Alfred Yacht Club by their late secretary, Mr. James A. Lyle. This scale had been in general use by the R.A.Y.C.

for many years.

In 1878, not only the club, but all those who had partaken of its hospitality, had to lament their loss in the death of Mr. Samuel King, one of the most kind and genial of its members. This year was remarkable for the entry in the race for first-cla.s.s yachts on the second day of the regatta. Five yachts crossed the line for the 60_l_.

prize, not one of which was less than 100 tons measurement, viz., the 'Lufra,' 222 tons, yawl; 'Jullanar,' yawl, 130 tons; 'Condor,' 190 tons; 'Cythera,' cutter, 116 tons; and 'Formosa,' cutter, 103 tons.

From that day to this there has never been such a meeting of so many first-cla.s.s large racing yachts, showing so great a tonnage. It may be said also of the useful little 5-ton cla.s.s, at this time at its zenith of popularity, that the entries this season were the largest that have ever been known. No fewer than eight of these mosquitoes, including Mr. York's pretty little 6-ton yawl 'Rocket,' came to the fore on all the great occasions provided for their sport.

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

_42 tons_ (_W. Chrystal, Esq., Vice-Com. Royal Clyde_). _Built by Steele & Co._, 1881.]

During the years 1879, 1880, and 1881, there was a satisfactory increase in the number of members, and a consequent augmentation of the club funds. The annual amount given away at this period in prizes had reached something over 450_l._ The entries at the regattas during the seasons of 1880 and 1881 were splendid in the 20-ton cla.s.s; no fewer than seven 20-tonners and the 15-tonner 'Maggie' crossed the line in 1880, and in 1881 the same number, less the 'Maggie,' did likewise. A new cla.s.s of 2-1/2-tonners was started in 1880 with seven yachts to its name, and in 1881 still another cla.s.s had to be catered for, consisting of 3-1/2-tonners. The entries, too, this year, in the first cla.s.s must not be forgotten; for in these days of fas.h.i.+onable small yacht racing it almost reads like a fairy tale when it is said that, out of nine entries, seven yachts were of 89 tons and over, the other two being about 60 tons each.

If the above two years are notable in the annals of the club, in the following year, 1882, its prosperity was evinced in a marked degree by the addition to its possessions of a club yacht; and as there are only one or two clubs which provide such a luxury for their members, it may not be amiss to give a short account of the _modus operandi_ employed in connection with it. Among the 600 to 700 members of the club there were many who did not care to keep yachts of their own, but enjoyed an occasional cruise. It was in answer to a proposition made by one of these gentlemen that funds were procured by means of shares, which were bought by individual members, and by the club itself. In this way the necessary amount of purchase money was speedily collected, and a committee was told off to superintend the choice, purchase, and fitting out of a yacht, with all arrangements connected with manning, and the carrying out of the regulations in regard to hire, &c. The yacht thus secured by the club was the 'Alcyone,' 35-ton cutter, which had been built by Mr. D. Hatcher, and had proved herself no mean performer in the 40-ton cla.s.s. She is a good wholesome vessel, and a fast and able sea-boat. Her accommodation is excellent, and includes berths for five pa.s.sengers at least. There is capital headroom between decks, and any amount of s.p.a.ce for stowage of baggage, &c.

The 'Alcyone' is manned by a captain and four hands, and when a member hires the yacht he has no expenses whatever to provide for beyond the hire and the keep of himself and friends while on board. Four rules were framed by the committee in charge, as being necessary for the working of the scheme, viz:

First.--The limit of time for hire is 14 days. Second.--The cost of hire is 3_l._ 10_s._ per diem, including cruet stores. Third.--The club is to keep a supply of liquors on board, to be supplied at a small profit. Fourth.--Hirers are bound, if called upon, to deliver up the yacht in the Holy Loch, or at any other anchorage inside the c.u.mbrae Head.

If it is desired to keep the yacht for a month, then it must be done by two members joining together in the hire, the one putting his name down for the first fortnight, and the other for the second. The cost of hire may seem at first sight somewhat heavy, but the 'Alcyone' is kept up like a private yacht, and no money has been spared to provide every possible contrivance which might be conducive to comfort. The success of the venture is proved by the fact that she has rarely been disengaged or unlet for more than a day or two during any one season since her purchase.

Another sign of prosperity was the inst.i.tution of an annual club ball, which is held at the St. Andrews Hall, Glasgow, during the winter months, and acknowledged to be one of the princ.i.p.al b.a.l.l.s of the year and one of the great events of the winter season.

The next year--1883--showed a still further advancement in the club's popularity, for it was the chosen recipient of a Queen's Cup. This prize was sailed for on July 14, during the 'Clyde Week,' in a race for all yachts over 40 tons, and no fewer than eleven yachts started.

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

_Winning the Queen's Cup in the Clyde._]

If, however, 1883 has been rendered famous for being a Queen's Cup year, 1884 will be noted for the success of its closing cruise, and the sport it provided. This season surpa.s.sed itself in the number of entries for the closing cruise handicap, and never have so many yachts come forward to race for the handsome cups, the gifts of members of the club, as on this occasion. In the first match for yachts over 40 tons, ten entered, including five over 90 tons, three 60-tonners, and two of 40 tons. It was the race for 20-tonners, however, that gave real character to the meeting, and there can be no mistake in saying that no other club in the kingdom has ever had to start so many as nine 20- and two 15-tonners in one race, all clever fast yachts, and no third or fourth rate cruisers, as will be seen from their names: 'Clara,' 'Lenore,' 'Amathea,' 'Louise,' 'Sayonara,' 'Irene,' 'Thyra,'

'Maggie,' 'Calypso,' 'Rival,' and 'Gem.' In the race for 10-tonners seven started, among them the old 'Helen' schooner, 17 tons, a yacht which saw more hard sailing than perhaps any other belonging to the club. She was built at Cowes, and was one of Halliday's pretty creations, a few of which are still to be met with. In 1892 she was unfortunately driven on the rocks off Hafton in the Holy Loch, during a severe gale, and was soon smashed into matchwood. For the prize in the 5-ton cla.s.s three put in an appearance, all the fastest racing yachts of the year.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Clara,' 10 tons, mids.h.i.+p section.]

The courses for yachts of 40 tons and upwards were altered in 1885; instead of rounding the Powder buoy a mark buoy anch.o.r.ed off Kilcreggan became the furthest point. In 1886 the club forwarded a challenge to the New York Yacht Club, in the name of Mr. Jas. Bell, and this ended in the yacht 'Thistle,' now known as the 'Meteor' and owned by H.I.M. the German Emperor, being built, and sent across the Atlantic, to contend for the Cup won by the 'America.' The 'Thistle'

and 'Volunteer' matches were the consequence, and they are so well known that it would be superfluous here to furnish an account of them; suffice it to say that, though the Scotch yacht did not win the great event, her performances with the 'Volunteer' not only taught British yachtsmen many a lesson, but afforded not a few hints to their American rivals.

At the beginning of 1887, the end of the club's third decade, the finances of the club consisted of a capital of 6,990_l._, and the amount at this time annually expended on yacht racing was 487_l._, exclusive of gifts of money made by individual members. During the ten years the numbers on the list of members fluctuated from 610 to 640: in this particular year only 610 names appeared on the list. With regard to the number of yachts sailing under the club flag, there had been the same variation, for though always between 180 and 197, this year the yachts numbered only 189, or 11 fewer than the previous year, the gross tonnage amounting to 12,302 tons.

During the winter of 1886 many matters were discussed which brought forth fruit in the season of 1887, and made that year more important than it otherwise would have been. First of all, the club had to regret the loss of their Commodore, Lord Glasgow, who, after acting for over a quarter of a century in that office, was compelled to give up the appointment owing to failing health. Mr. John Clark was elected to take his place, and Messrs. Jas. Bell and H. Lamont became Vice- and Rear-Commodores. Mr. York, to whom the writer is much indebted for a.s.sistance given him in compiling this notice, held the office of secretary and treasurer, which he had so ably filled for over twenty years. During the winter the club had acquired three boats, of 19 ft.

length on the load water-line, for the benefit of those members who wished to go out for a day's sail; the three boats being made, as far as the designer, builder, and sailmaker were concerned, as nearly equal in merits as it was possible for them to be, in order that they might show good sport when taken out racing together. Prizes for a race for these boats have since been regularly given at the regattas, to encourage members to take them out match sailing. In this way they have proved very useful in initiating many a tiro into the secrets and mysteries of yacht racing.

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

_Fife of Fairlie_, 1882.]

This year, too, witnessed another change in yacht measurement. The Yacht Racing a.s.sociation had formulated and pa.s.sed a rule of measurement by length and sail area, the length to be taken along the load water-line. This rule was adopted by the club, and at the regattas all yachts were rated according to it, with the exception of the 3-1/2-tonners; these, as they happened to be the cla.s.s of the year, were allowed to race under the old rule for which they were built. As many as six of these little vessels made the Clyde their headquarters and sailed at the regattas.