1872 was the last year in which single-handed racing received club support. A single-handed match had been sailed each season since their inauguration by Mr. Lyle, Mr. Alec Richardson winning twice (in 1870 and 1871) in the 'Naiad,' 10-tonner; but the sad loss of Mr. O'Connell, one of the most popular and sporting members of the club, together with his yacht, and the narrow escape from foundering of another, emphasised the advisability to stop such races for the future. The race in which this disaster occurred took place on June 1. The day was a peculiar one. A double-handed match had been sailed during the fore- and early afternoon, when a nice S.E. breeze favoured the competitors, which had one and all carried large topsails aloft. This race was finished, however, in a heavy downpour of rain, and was won by the Vice-Commodore, Mr. George Thompson, in the 'Madcap,' 20 tons. After the race was over the rain came down in such torrents that there was some hesitation about allowing the single-handed match to start, though there was no appearance of any heavy weather setting in. This fact, and there being no sea to speak of, settled the question, and accordingly the 'Petrel,' 10 tons, Mr. W. G. Jamieson; 'Mocassin,' 10, Mr. Corrigan; 'Madcap,' 20, the Vice-Commodore; 'Torment,' 5, Mr. Miller; and 'Peri,' 5 tons, Mr. O'Connell, most of them with reefed mainsails, made a start at 3 hrs. 5 mins. in the order named. The weather soon afterwards became very thick, and nothing was seen of the yachts till 6 hrs. 34 mins., when the 'Petrel' was discovered making for home. A number of yachts were out all the afternoon, and some of them on coming into harbour had passed the word that things were not going on as sweetly as they might outside. The wind had shifted to the S.W., and a considerable sea was running, increased or rather broken by the flood-tide. The 'Mocassin,' who had given up, corroborated the statement that was flying about, and soon after the 'Heroine,' 60-ton cutter, arrived with her topmast gone, followed by the 'Whirlwind' yawl, with the loss of her gig washed away from her davits.