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 assist 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 manœuvring 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.
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 associations. 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 illustration 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 constitute a great charm, though crews in racing craft have not much time to admire picturesque landscape.
