Yachting, Vol. 2Dufferin and Ava, Frederick Temple Blackwood, Marquis of
History
Yachting, Vol. 2
Dufferin and Ava, Frederick Temple Blackwood, Marquis of
Yacht racing; Yachting; Yachts
[Footnote 13: _Public Advertiser_, August 25, 1784.]
[Footnote 14: _Morning Post_, July 5, 1786.]
[Illustration: Yacht of Cumberland Fleet, 1781.]
The one thing curious about this match is that the 'Prince of Wales'
sailing boat was advertised for sale, and it goes on to say, 'which no
doubt will have the best chance to win the Jubilee Silver Cup which
will be sailed for on the 17th inst.' She won that cup!
The proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens continued giving an annual cup to
the club until the year 1810, when the last prize offered by them was
sailed for on August 6, and won by the 'St. George,' 7 tons, Captain
James Gunston. The ceremonies attached to the giving of the Vauxhall
Cup differed but slightly from those attending the Duke of
Cumberland's prize. The race started, as before, from Blackfriars
Bridge and sailed round a boat stationed near Putney Bridge and back
past a boat moored off Vauxhall Stairs, next door to Cumberland
Gardens.
The gardens in the evening were magnificently illuminated; a
wonderful transparency of the sailing match was on show, and the
former prize cups won by the club were arranged on pedestals in front
of it. There are many incidents connected with the Cumberland Fleet
during all these years. The 'Morning Chronicle'[15] says: 'There was
an attempt of foul play against the "Prince of Wales," the winning
vessel of 1786, by other boats getting in her way, but she got all
clear by a liberal use of handspikes.' In 1787 the match on July 19
was ordered by the club to be re-sailed August 3, on account of some
mistakes in the sailing directions made by the competing yachts; this
was eventually won by the 'Nancy,' Captain Dore, but the 'Blue Dragon'
was disqualified for booming out her jib.
[Footnote 15: _Morning Chronicle_, July 19, 1786.]
There must have been some form of Admiralty warrant extant in those
days, as we find that the members of the club are requested (in an
advertisement) to meet at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand,
and it goes on to say,[16] 'The gentlemen who enter their boats are to
attend at the same time to draw lots for situation at starting; and
are hereby informed that they are expected either to produce their
licence from the Admiralty, or other proofs of being owners of the
vessels they intend to sail.'
[Footnote 16: _Public Advertiser_, June 7, 1788.]
In 1791,[17] Commodore Taylor, with a party of friends, started in the
'Cumberland' for Bordeaux, but we have found no reference to his
having arrived there. This year there was a dreadful accident at the
race for the Vauxhall Cup, by the bursting of a cannon at Cumberland
Gardens, at the moment that the 'Mercury,' Captain Astley, was
winning; by this two persons lost their lives. This is also the first
year in which a second prize was given, viz. a silver goblet. The year
1793 was kept as a septennial one, and a handsome silver-gilt cup was
presented to be raced for; the club thereupon challenged the world.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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