The 20-rating class has not been patronised for some time in the Thames, but 'Decima,' 'Fan Tan,' 'Dis,' and 'Corona' have had some good racing between 1890 and 1892 in the 10-rating matches. The entries in the numerous handicap matches have included the above four yachts and such vessels as 'Gardenia,' 'Neaira,' 'Terpsichore,' 'Norman,' 'Mimosa,' 'Wenonah,' 'Cyclone,' 'Ildegonda,' 'Œnanthe,' 'Nadejda,' 'Alpha Beta.'
Lines and midship section of the 'Dis,' 10-rater, built for A. D. Clarke, Esq., 1888. Designed by J. M. Soper.
In 1888 an attempt was made by the club to encourage a class of small cruising yachts by limiting the length and sail-area, and seven or eight were built from the designs of Messrs. G. L. Watson, Fife, Dixon Kemp, J. T. Howard, Douglas Stone, A. E. Payne, A. Watkins, and others. This class, known as the Thames 21-foot class, has since then furnished extremely close racing, and it is worthy of note that the first boat built, the 'Tottie,' designed by Mr. Watson, successfully held her own for five seasons. The season of 1892, however, showed that the 'Eva,' designed and built by Mr. Stone, of Erith, was quite as good as, if not better than, 'Tottie,' her new owner, Mr. Wyllie, sailing her in first-class form. Much of the 'Tottie's' success must be put down to her extremely skilful handling by the brothers Simpson, who rank among the best amateurs of the day. While the 21-foot class has undoubtedly been a most popular one in the Thames, it is unfortunately the fact that the original idea of encouraging a good useful cruising boat was not fulfilled, the ingenuity of the designers being too much for the few restrictions imposed. We believe that three of the original boats which were not so successful in racing are now being used as cruisers, but the faster or deep-keeled boats are hardly of the type that would be chosen for this purpose.
'DECIMA'
A. E. Payne, 1889.
The names of the 21-footers are 'Tottie,' 'Eva,' 'Diskos,' 'Haze,' 'Dorothy,' 'Fancy,' 'Mehalah,' 'Genie,' 'Magnolia,' 'Saivnara,' 'March Hare,' 'Narwhal,' 'Nyleptha,' and 'Macnab.'