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
Dinner over, the pleasures of the evening began with what is known as
'ship-visiting'--that is, the yacht-owner starts off, and either rows
himself and friends in his dinghy, or is rowed in correct form, to
some friend's yacht where he may remain, or, after a short visit,
proceed, taking with him his host and as many of his friends as he can
pack away in the gig's stern-sheets, to some other yacht, and so on
_ad infinitum_. To row himself is much the better plan, since it means
independence of the crew (which perhaps may consist only of one hand),
and avoidance of a troubled conscience, that the man or men are being
kept up and prevented from turning in.
The following morning only a few burgees were visible, most of the
yachts having donned their silken racing flags, for an early start had
to be made in a handicap race to be sailed _viâ_ the Garroch Head (the
most south-westerly extremity of the Isle of Bute) to Tignabruich.
More than half the yachts were started in this race, for which four
cups were provided as prizes. The contingent of small non-racers made
Tignabruich by way of the Kyles of Bute, as did also some of the
larger sailing yachts, which preferred calm and untroubled travelling
to a dusting round the Garroch Head. The gathering at the head of the
Kyles is, if anything, more enjoyable than that spent at Rothesay. The
anchorage is more land-locked, and therefore less liable to
disturbance from winds or sweeping seas, and ship-visiting can be
carried on without any fear of a ducking or other unpleasantness.
On the Saturday morning, the members of the club and their friends
breakfasted together at 9.30 at the Royal Hotel, when the prizes were
presented to the winners; after which a few returned to their yachts,
got under way, and dispersed with the object of extending their
cruise, while those left behind remained to enjoy the beautiful
scenery and walks with which the locality abounds, and on Sunday
attend church parade on board Lord Glasgow's yacht.
[Illustration: 'Marjorie.'
_Blue, with white cross. 68 tons_ (_J. Coats, Jun., Esq._). _Built by
Steele & Co._, 1883.]
Beyond the adoption by the club of the Royal Alfred Yacht Club rules
and regulations, nothing of any moment worth chronicling took place
till 1875, in which year the purchase was completed by the club of
the whole of the grounds and buildings, including the hotel and
club-house, and early in 1876 the members enjoyed the privilege of not
only having a club-house, but also an establishment worked on the
principle of a private hotel, where they could provide themselves and
their families or friends with comfortable quarters on very reasonable
club terms.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account