'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 450l. The entries at the regattas during the seasons of 1880 and 1881 were splendid in the 20-ton class; 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 class of 2½-tonners was started in 1880 with seven yachts to its name, and in 1881 still another class had to be catered for, consisting of 3½-tonners. The entries, too, this year, in the first class must not be forgotten; for in these days of fashionable 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 class. She is a good wholesome vessel, and a fast and able sea-boat. Her accommodation is excellent, and includes berths for five passengers at least. There is capital headroom between decks, and any amount of space 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 3l. 10s. 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 Cumbrae 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 institution 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 principal balls 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.