In the first year or so of the club's existence the racing was mostly confined to the smaller classes, and the 5-ton 'Arrow,' at that time head of her class, was a frequent competitor. About this period the 'Adèle' and the 'Ada' were in the Thames. These gave way in turn to the 'Virago,' 6 tons, 'May,' 6 tons, and the 'Alouette' and 'Freda,' each 5 tons. The 10-ton 'Zephyr' then came up into the river, and had some hard tussles to save her time from the smaller vessels; and Major Lenon's 'L'Erie,' 10 tons, also competed occasionally with success. In the larger class 'Dudu,' 'Torch,' 'Ildegonda,' 'Surge,' 'Aveyron,' 'Sweetheart,' 'Dione,' and 'Nadejda,' gave some good racing, and one memorable day, when all the above but 'Ildegonda' and 'Torch' sailed a race in a gale of wind, in company with the yawl 'Dryad,' nearly every yacht in the race had some mishap to gear, 'Dryad' and 'Dione' being dismasted. From 1875 to 1880 the racing was kept alive by the 10-ton class, the meeting of the 'Lily,' 'Florence,' 'Merle,' 'Mildred,' 'Chip,' 'Preciosa,' 'Juliet,' 'Elaine,' and 'Robinson' being looked forward to with eagerness by the amateur crews. 'Florence' was the pick of this bunch, but the arrival of the 'Maharanee,' and then of the celebrated 'Buttercup,' soon altered the state of affairs. 'Buttercup' swept the board for some time until Mr. W. Cory brought 'Ulidia' into the club, and she in turn scored off 'Buttercup.' This virtually closed the 10-ton racing in the Thames. In 1881 some excitement was caused by the starting of the 3-ton class on the Thames, and as no paid hands were allowed in these little vessels, the Corinthians were in request in club matches. The 'Muriel' was brought over from Ireland by the Messrs. Fox, and had for competitors the 'Maramah,' 'Mascotte,' 'Naida,' 'Primrose,' 'Venilia,' and 'Snarley Yow,' of which the latter was probably the fastest. The excitement culminated in a race for a 50_l._ cup, subscribed for by several enthusiastic members, and sailed for under the auspices of the Corinthian Yachting Club on June 13, 1882, 'Muriel' winning the cup after a splendid finish with 'Snarley Yow.' The next year saw the advent of 'Chittywee,' who spread-eagled the old fleet, and was in turn knocked out by the redoubtable 'Currytush.' This killed the 3-ton class in the Thames, and for some time class racing was at a discount. The Corinthian Yacht Club, however, by arranging a system of handicaps and other races to suit the vessels belonging to the club, nearly always succeeded in getting good entries for its matches, an annual handicap race from Erith to Ramsgate, open to all yachts in the club, being still one of the most popular events of the season.