the royal yacht squadron cowes

Yachting World

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Inside the Royal Yacht Squadron – we get a rare view of this most exclusive club

• Belinda Bird
• May 18, 2015

Sarah Norbury jumps at a rare chance to see inside the Royal Yacht Squadron, that unique and intriguing yacht club at the centre of Cowes, in its 200th anniversary year

Photo: Paul Wyeth

The Royal Yacht Squadron’s Castle clubhouse is best known to most sailors as the centre of the action at Cowes Week. Puffs of smoke in the aftermath of the bangs waft across the water towards the fleets of yachts, their crews’ faces pinched with concentration as they plan their beat up the rocky Island shore.

No first-timer to Cowes Week can fail to be awestruck by the Castle. Competitors mill around before their starts, staring at the flags and course-boards, getting a sight down the startline straight into the windows.

Looking is as near as most sailors ever get to this most aristocratic of clubs. Members will repair to the Squadron after racing, taking tea on the lawn, before entering the Castle for cocktails before a party or the fabulous Squadron Ball, but for the rest, the Castle itself, built by Henry VIII to repel the French, is a visual symbol of the club’s exclusivity.

The Platform, from where Cowes Week starts are signalled. Photo: YPS/Boat Exclusive

The most prestigious club in Britain, possibly the world, is wreathed in mystique. The only way to join this club of Kings, Lords, Hons and Sirs is to be invited by a member and be subject to a secret ballot. The fact that the membership list reads like Debretts is an indication of most sailors’ chances of being invited.

It’s said that wealthy tea merchant Sir Thomas Lipton was blackballed for being ‘in trade’, which is why his 1898 bid for the America’s Cup was sponsored by the Royal Ulster YC. He was allowed in eventually, but died just two years later so scarcely had time to enjoy the Castle’s delights.

Some accept a blackballing with grace, others kick up a stink, like the owner of a 150-ton schooner who, the story goes, sent a message to the club that he was anchored within close range and would commence shelling unless he received a personal apology from Percy Shelley, son of the famous poet, who had blackballed him.

Flying the white ensign

The appeal of being a member is obvious. Who wouldn’t want to fly the white ensign from their stern? The Squadron is the only yacht club with a Royal Navy warrant to do so, granted in 1829. And who wouldn’t want to walk boldly in to meet and drink with the great and the good?

I asked the current commodore, the Hon Christopher Sharples why, when a number of royal clubs are struggling to find new members, the Squadron has a healthy waiting list. “It’s a very fine club,” he responded. “People enjoy the standards and the tremendous history. Members treat the Castle as a much-loved country home.”

RYS commodore, the Hon Christopher Sharples

Originally named The Yacht Club, it was founded on 1 June 1815 by a group of 42 gentleman yachting enthusiasts. Five years later, member King George IV conferred the Royal in the club’s title and in 1833 King William IV renamed the club the Royal Yacht Squadron. Members met in the Thatched House Tavern in St James’s, London, and in Cowes twice a year for dinner.

Today there are 535 members and dinner is served in the magnificent Members’ Dining Room, under the painted gaze of illustrious past admirals and commodores. The room is adorned with silver trophies and scenes of the high seas, and waiters bring course after course from the kitchens and wine cellars below. There are bedrooms for overnight stays, a room for members to keep their ‘mess kit’ or black tie, which is required dress on Saturday nights, and even gun lockers for shooting parties.

But sailing is the club’s raision d’être and neither a title nor a fortune are a guarantee of entry. The club professes that “any gentleman or lady actively interested in yachting” is eligible for nomination.

The Library, a peaceful sanctuary as well as an important archive. Photo: YPS/Boat Exclusive

The Squadron was where yacht racing was born. In the early 1800s the aristocracy came to Cowes to socialise and cruise in their boats. The first races were duels between the yachts of the day, then rules for fleet racing were drawn up. The first club regatta, later to become Cowes Week, was in 1826. For more than a century the reigning monarch would be there to present the King’s or Queen’s trophy.

Some of history’s greatest yachtsmen are on the Squadron’s membership roll: Sir Thomas Sopwith, John Illingworth, Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Alec Rose, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. Ties with the Navy are strong and some of British maritime history’s most famous names have been Squadron members, not least Nelson’s vice-admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy who commanded HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, Admiral Lord Cochrane who was the inspriation for C.S. Forester’s Hornblower novels and Admiral Sir Jeremy Black, captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible during the Falklands War.

The public’s more usual view

Perhaps the club is still best known around the world for hosting the race around the Isle of Wight in 1851 won by the schooner America , which took home what became known as the America’s Cup. The Squadron donated the Cup itself in 1851 and mounted a number of challenges to win it back.

More than 160 years later the America’s Cup has still never been won by a British challenger, but now the commodore believes the Royal Yacht Squadron has “the best chance we have ever had” with its sponsorship of Ben Ainslie Racing as official British challenger for the 2017 Cup.

• 1. Flying the white ensign
• 2. Bicentenary celebrations
• 3. Inside the Castle

Cowes Week day 5: Classic finale on the Royal Yacht Squadron line

A spectacular final day of racing at Cowes concluded with a classic downwind finish against the tide on the Royal Yacht Squadron line.

Competitors sailed tight into the beach off the Green in a thick and fast procession that lasted for hours.

They were led home by Jo Richards’ 27ft H-Boat Woof, creeping along the shore under spinnaker, less than a boat length off the rocks below the RYS Platform, to take to take line honours in IRC Class 7.

He also won today’s race on corrected time, his fourth victory of the week.

However, overall class winner is Victoria and Chris Preston’s 100 year old classic West Solent One Design Suvretta, while Craig and Emma Dymock’s H-Boat Wight Wedding took second place just two and a half points behind.

Final OA Leading results after 2 August 2024:

Black Group Overall

1, YES! (Adam Gosling) 2, COLLATERAL (Ray Mitchell) 3, WHOOPER (Giovanni Belgrano)

White Group Overall 1, MEN BEHAVING BADLY (Rupert Mander) 2, NO DRAMAS (Joshua Beadsworth Andy Beadsworth Ethan Rhodes Hayden Sewell) 3, SHEARWATER II (Russell Mead)

IRC Class 0 1, GLADIATOR (Tony Langley) 2, NOTORIOUS (Peter Morton) 3, CALLISTO (James Murray)

IRC Class 1 1, KATABATIC (Lance Adams) 2, BULLIT (Julian Metherell) 3, BLACK SEAL (Richard Thompson)

IRC Class 2 1, JELLYBABY (Jones Family) 2, BULLDOG (Team Bulldog) 3, DAWN TREADER (Ed Bell)

IRC Class 3 1, YES! (Adam Gosling) 2, LEON (David Franks) 3, FLYING DOLPHIN (Willem Ellemeet)

IRC Class 4 1, FURTHER WEST (Alain Waha & Matt Waite) 2, JAVELIN (Richard Newsom) 3, NIGHTJAR (Libby Finch, Jack & Joe Banks, Penny Jeffcoate)

IRC Class 5 1, ARCUS (John Howell & Paul Newell) 2, BETTY (Jon Powell) 3, CETEWAYO (David Murrin)

IRC Class 6 1, WHOOPER (Giovanni Belgrano) 2, BANTER (Handley James Families) 3, SCHERZO OF COWES (Peter & Alison Morton)

IRC Class 7 1, SUVRETTA (Victoria & Christopher Preston) 2, WIGHT WEDDING (Craig and Emma Dymock) 3, HASTA LA VISTA (Rick White, Pete Overton, Rob Edwards & Andy Brown)

Contessa 32 1, COLLATERAL (Ray Mitchell) 2, ANDAXI (Donna & Martin Rouse-Collen) 3, MARY ROSE TUDOR (George Bell)

Club Cruiser C 1, ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK (Dan Law) 2, ARTEMIS (David McDonald & John Clark) 3, GLADEYE (Maj PJR Chishick)

Club Cruiser D 1, PANDA OF HAMBLE (Barnes & Smyth) 2, WARRIOR (Richard & Ursula Hollis) 3, SCANDAL (Nick Hampton)

Club Cruiser Overall 1, ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK (Dan Law) 2, PANDA OF HAMBLE (Barnes & Smyth) 3, WARRIOR (Richard & Ursula Hollis)

Keelboat Classes OA Leaders

Daring 1, DAUNTLESS (Giles Peckham & Milo Carver) 2, DOUBLET (Rob Bottomley) 3, DREAMER (Lavinia Perry & Duncan Byatt)

Dragon 1, ECSTATIC (Eric Williams) 2, JERBOA (Gavia Wilkinson-Cox) 3, FIT CHICK (Chris Grosscurth & Jono Brown)

Etchells 1, NO DRAMAS (Joshua Beadsworth Andy Beadsworth Ethan Rhodes Hayden Sewell) 2, EXABYTE (Shaun Frohlich) 3, DESPERATE (Rob Tyrwhitt-Drake)

Flying 15 1, MEN BEHAVING BADLY (Rupert Mander) 2, AKARANA (Graham Deegan) 3, FARFALLINA (Rob Goddard & Arlo Braund)

J/70 overall 1, STANDFAST (Simon Patterson) 2, POWERHOUSE (Bertie Fisher) 3, SARDONYX (William Edwards, Ian Dobson)

J/109 1, JOULE (Arjen van Leeuwen & Silvy Leijh) 2, JUKEBOX (John Smart) 3, JENIE (Charles & Rosie Berry)

Mermaid 1, ZARA (Charles Glanville) 2, SHEEN (Anthony Eaton) 3, SIRENA (Ian Prideaux)

Nautor’s Swan Trophy 1, SCHERZO OF COWES (Peter & Alison Morton) 2, LUNA (Tim Webb) 3, MERCURY (Ross Eldred)

Performance 40 1, BULLDOG (Team Bulldog) 2, SKERMISHER (Jonathan Blanshard & Garfield Smith) 3, LUNA (Tim Webb)

Performance Cruiser A 1, BELLADONNA (Richard Dilley) 2, TIAKI (Charles Youngman) 3, INCISOR (Derek, Prince of Pimms)

Performance Cruiser B 1, DUSTY P (Seville Developments ltd) 2, ASSARAIN III (Andy Hunt) 3, PANTHER (James Stableford)

Performance Cruiser Overall 1, DUSTY P (Seville Developments ltd) 2, BELLADONNA (Richard Dilley) 3, ASSARAIN III (Andy Hunt)

Redwing 1, HARLEQUIN (Matthew Alexander, John Raymond & Alexander Shaw) 2, ENIGMA (The Downer Family) 3, QUAIL (James Wilson)

SB20 Mini Slam 1, SNOLLYGOSTER (Charlie Laurence-Fuller) 2, FIREFLY (Seb Tattersall) 3, FLUTTERGRUB (Melanie Clarke)

Sigma 33 1, STAN THE BOAT (Toby Gorman) 2, SHADOWFAX (David Rolfe, Clark Rutter, Tom McArdle) 3, PROSPERO OF HAMBLE (Allan Fraser)

Sonar 1, BERTIE (Alistair Barter & Richard Bailey) 2, JENNY XXX (Simon Clarke) 3, ACF DOLPHIN (Andrew Cassell Foundation)

Sonata 1, WASP (Luke Goodall) 2, SONIC (The Leather Family) 3, DICK DASTARDLY (Dawn Bee)

Sportsboat 1, MAKO (Imogen Watkins) 2, COOL RUNNINGS (Ross Bowdler) 3, WHITE ORYX (Crispin Winser)

Sunbeam 1, FIREFLY (Stewart Reed) 2, MINTY (Simon Pattersons) 3, MAISY (Sue Smith)

Sunsail 41 1, SUNSAIL HELIOS (Deloitte Green) 2, THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLES (California Luffin’) 3, RED PENGUIN (Tenzing)

Victory 1, SHEARWATER II (Russell Mead) 2, ZADA (Nick Benham, Ian Perryman & Clive Good) 3, ZIVA (Jim Downing)

X One Design 1, ASTRALITA (John Tremlett, Tim Copsey, Fraser Graham) 2, SWALLOW (Richard Faulkner) 3, XCITATION (Roger Yeoman)

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History of The America’s Cup

The America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy in the world. It predates the FA Cup, the Ryder Cup and even the modern Olympic Games by 45 years. The first America’s Cup took place in 1851, 35 years before the car and 52 years before the inaugural flight of the Wright Brothers. Though it started in Britain, a British team has never won it. “50 years of hurt” – how about 171?

The lack of success for Britain is, however, not for a lack of trying. Over the past 171 years there have been many British challenges for the Cup, some more successful than others, but they all have one thing in common. Not one of them has ever brought the famous “Auld Mug” back home.

When It All Began

1851 – 1895.

The first edition of the America’s Cup took place in 1851. It began when during that year’s Great Exhibition the Earl of Wilton, the Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS), sent an invitation to members of the recently-formed New York Yacht Club (NYYC), suggesting that they might like to enjoy the club’s facilities in Cowes. The New York Yacht Club’s 30 metre schooner ‘America’ won the trophy, an ornate sterling silver bottomless ewer crafted in 1848 by Garrard & Co, and the ‘America’s Cup’ was born.

In 1885 the New York Yacht Club would face their first challenge to win back the Cup from the Royal Yacht Squadron, it was the fifth challenge they faced to date and came from Sir Richard Sutton’s Genesta. He lost 2-0. The RYS would not give up, however, and challenged the NYYC both in 1893 and 1895 again, this time through the Earl of Dunraven. He too, was defeated each time, and accused the Americans of cheating for which he was pilloried at the time.

1899 – 1930, The Lipton Era

From the turn of the century through to 1930, the British challenge for the America’s Cup was dominated by one man, Sir Thomas Lipton.   Lipton would challenge five time in thirty years for the America’s Cup, all unsuccessfully. His fourth campaign is the closest Britain has come to bringing the Cup home.  

Perhaps ironically, however, in the first three Cups he contested, Lipton was beaten by a boat skippered by another Brit, Charlie Barr. Barr is Britain’s most successful America’s Cup skipper and the only Briton to have been onboard an America’s Cup winning boat until INEOS BRITTAINIA Skipper Ben Ainslie won the Cup with Oracle Team USA in 2013.

1934 – 1937, Sir T.O.M Sopwith

The final pre-Second World War British challenges were led by Sir T.O.M. Sopwith, who bought Shamrock V from Sir Thomas Lipton. Sopwith was a sportsman in all senses; he raced cars and motorcycles, and he held the world waterspeed record in a powerboat.   Sopwith brought that sporting desire and scientific, innovative approach to yacht racing.  

There is widespread agreement that Sopwith’s first Endeavour, the 1934 J-Class Challenger ‘Endeavour’, it was the fastest and best prepared boat ever to leave Britain. She went to meet a weak American fleet, with the NYYC elite still struggling with the impact of the Great Depression. After initlal wins in the first races, it was not to be and the team were outsailed to a 4-2 loss.  

1958 – 1964, Post World War 2

Due to the austerity after the war, the size of the boats competing was greatly reduced.   The 12 metre class led the way and in 1958 Britain’s Sceptre, steered by Graham Mann, lost by significant margins and a 4-0 scoreline to the American entry, Columbia.

British losses continued in 1964 as Tony Boyden’s Sovereign did not win a single race to the American challenger.   The post war depression had a significant impact on the British challenges, with America outdoing them on multiple fronts from number of entries to resources and the technology available.

1980 – 2003, New Winners

It would be over 15 years before a British challenger would come forward, in that period both the French and Australians has begun their own challenges and made significant progress in developing their boats.   In 1983 for the first time in its 132 year history, America lost the Cup to the boat Australia II, and Australia became the new defenders. A decade after losing the Cup for the first time in history it returned to American waters in as America 3 took victory.

It was during this period that the International America’s Cup Class of yachts is introduced. These boats are longer, quicker and much more powerful than before. From 1995 to 2003 the Cup changed hands multiple times with new winners in the form of Team New Zealand winning twice consecutively. In 2003, after a 16 year break a British entry backed by Peter Harrison and skippered Ian Walker, were ultimately beaten in the semifinal and the Swiss entry went on to win the Cup for the first time, returning it to Europe more than 150 years after the first race on British waters.

2010 – 2013, The Greatest Comeback

Oracle Team USA claim the Cup and returned to America ushering in a new era of highly technical yacht design with their lightweight catamaran.

In 2013 the world witnessed the greatest comeback in sporting history as Oracle Team USA overcame Team New Zealand in one of sports most incredible wins recording a 9-8 victory on the waters of San Francisco Bay. Onboard was tactician Sir Ben Ainslie, the first British sailor to win the Cup since Charlie Barr over 80 years ago.

2013 onwards, The British Challenge returns

Sir Ben Ainslie Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor of all time alongside the Royal Yacht Squadron announced the formation of a British team to challenge for the America’s Cup. Ben led the British challenge into the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017. Despite some successes including victory in the America’s Cup World Series, it was not to be for the first-time British challenger as they exited the Cup at the semi-final stage against Emirates Team New Zealand.

In 2018, INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe came onboard to back Ben Ainslie’s British Challenge in the 36th America’s Cup. A change in some key personnel followed, including four times America’s Cup winner Grant Simmer joining the team as CEO and Nick Holroyd, who was previously Technical Director for the Kiwi team that revolutionised the America’s Cup by introducing foiling, joining the team as Chief Designer.

INEOS TEAM UK challenged for the 36th America’s Cup in their bold and innovative new AC75 raceboat, BRITANNIA, in Auckland in 2021. Despite a remarkable late turnaround in performance which culminated in the team winning the PRADA Cup Round Robin Series with a clean sweep to qualify for the Challenger Series Final, the British team was ultimately beaten in the final by the Italian Challenger.

Together with the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, the renamed INEOS Britannia (formerly INEOS TEAM UK) will also become the first British Challenger of Record to compete in the America’s Cup since Boyden’s Sovereign in 1964. The Challenge letter was signed on 17th March 2021 onboard the yacht IMAGINE, by Bertie Bicket, Chairman of Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd and accepted by Aaron Young, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron as Emirates Team New Zealand crossed the finish line to win the America’s Cup for the fourth time.

“Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves”

Present day.

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News - 27/05/15

Royal yacht squadron fleet review.

On Friday, 5th June starting at 1400 the Duke of Edinburgh, as Admiral of the Royal Yacht Squadron, will be conducting a Review of the yachts belonging to members of the RYS who are commemorating their bicentenary. The RYS was inaugurated on 1st June 1815 at the Club’s first meeting in St James’s, London. The Duke will be joined by other members of the British Royal Family and overseas Royal guests.

The Fleet Review is a private event and part of a varied programme of celebrations by the RYS both on and off the water taking place during 2015. The day will also include a Church Service and Beat Retreat on Cowes Parade.

In excess of 180 private sailing and motor boats will be moored in the Solent at the mouth of the Medina River in Cowes from 1200 on the 5th June.

The British Royal party will include HRH The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and HRH Prince Michael of Kent. Visiting royalty will include HM King Harald of Norway, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, TM King Constantine II of Greece and Queen Anne‐Marie, HM King Juan Carlos of Spain and HRH Prince Henrik of Denmark.

Prior to and during the RYS Fleet Review, in the interests of navigational safety and for security reasons, Cowes Harbour Commission will introduce and enforce a number of Exclusion Zones, as well as a temporary speed limit of 6 knots in the Outer Harbour, under CHC’s Powers of General Directions (Cowes Harbour Revision Order 2012, Section 12, para 7b).

At approximately 1400 the Review flotilla, consisting of two P2000 Naval Patrol vessels, will depart the Royal Yacht Squadron Haven and proceed south along the Inner Fairway and make a turn at No. 6 buoy before proceeding north. At No. 2A buoy the flotilla will leave the fairway and proceed east, passing south of the new Cowes Breakwater, and enter the Small Craft Channel before reviewing the small craft fleet moored in the area of small craft moorings to the north and east of the new breakwater. The flotilla will then proceed in an anti-clockwise direction reviewing the larger vessels at anchor in Cowes Roads before reviewing the vessels moored on M Row to the west of the Outer Fairway off Prince’s Green.

Local Notice to Mariners No 15(T) of 2015 has been issued outlining the area and all restrictions. All Exclusion Zones will be rigorously patrolled by CHC patrol RIBs and the Police.

Although these events are primarily for the guests and members of the Royal Yacht Squadron, members of the public may wish to get a glimpse of royalty both British and from overseas, enjoy music by the Royal Marines Band, watch the Fleet Review or simply enjoy being part of the overall celebrations.

There will be viewing areas along the shore including The Parade and The Green, which are ideally suited for the public, although space will be limited on The Parade. Please look out for security officials and Marshals who will guide you to the right areas.

In the early evening the Royal guests and RYS members and other guests will attend a church service at Trinity Church adjacent to the RYS.

Proceedings will culminate on Friday with a Beating Retreat conducted by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood on The Parade at Cowes at 1915 with the salute being taken by the Duke of Edinburgh.

On Saturday, 6th June, a Spitfire air display from RYS sister organisation, The Air Squadron, plus a fireworks display will add to the festivities. The fireworks display will commence at 2220 with the fireworks being launched from a barge to the west of the Outer Fairway. An exclusion zone will be enforced around the barge from 2200 by CHC vessels and marshall craft to protect spectating craft from firework fallout and debris; in the interests of safety all vessels must remain outside the exclusion zone. Please read Local Notice to Mariners No 16(T) of 2015 for further details on the exclusion zone in place for the fireworks, order of events and navigation advice.

Visit the RYS website for more information on the 1815 – 2015 RYS Bicentenary Celebrations.

STOP PRESS: CHC has published some photos from the RYS Fleet Review on Flickr . 

Top photo: Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes. Credit: Olek Creations /  facebook.com/OlekCreations

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18 facts about the Royal Yacht Squadron’s colourful history

As the Royal Yacht Squadron celebrates its bicentenary this June, we take a look at its colourful history.

The Isle of Wight’s Royal Yacht Squadron, established 200 years ago, has a colourful history. Here, we detail 18 fascinating Royal Yacht Squadron facts.

• The Royal Yacht Squadron was established on June 1, 1815, at the Thatched House Tavern in St James’s, London W1. Originally named The Yacht Club, it comprised 42 gentlemen members, who agreed to meet twice a year to discuss their mutual interest over dinner
• At first, it was mandatory to own a vessel ‘not under 10 tons’. This was changed to ‘gentlemen actively interested in yachting’ when lightweight construction became more commonplace
• Members’ yachts are awarded the suffix RYS. In 1829, the Admiralty issued a warrant for them to fly what is now the Navy’s White Ensign rather than the merchant Red Ensign displayed by most other UK-registered vessels
• The Yacht Club became ‘Royal’ when the Prince Regent, a member, became George IV in 1820; 13 years later, it was renamed The Royal Yacht Squadron by command of William IV
• New members are proposed by existing members and then have to be voted in
• In the 1970s, the rejection of the Prime Minister, Edward Heath —a successful yachtsman—caused quite a stir and brought the club some adverse publicity
• The Queen is the current patron and The Duke of Edinburgh, the Squadron’s Admiral, continues to be an active participant
• Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, Nelson’s captain at Trafalgar, was among the early Honorary Naval members
• The club’s present home, Cowes Castle, was built in 1539 as part of Henry VIII’s chain of coastal defences
• In 1851, the Squadron invited the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) to produce a challenge to its own fastest yacht. The NYYC’s schooner America won the race and so gave its name to the new trophy—the America’s Cup
• The first official race took place on August 10, 1826
• Only on very rare occasions do the wrought-iron gates of Cowes Castle swing open to admit outsiders
• Despite meeting all the pre-conditions, the tea merchant and unsuccessful America’s Cup contender Sir Thomas Lipton had to wait until his 80th birthday before his request was finally granted. He died two years later
• The first Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Earl of Yarborough, was a prodigious host, who gave magnificent parties aboard his yacht Falcon and at his home on the Isle of Wight during the Regatta
• Members began publishing accounts of exploratory voyages from the mid 19th century. Lord Brassey’s Sunbeam logged 37,000 miles, but another member, Ben Boyd, was captured and eaten by natives of the Solomon Islands in 1851
• The explorer Capt Scott was a member—the St George’s Cross and crown burgee flown by his ship Terra Nova are displayed at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich
• Members’ yachts went to the Crimea and took part in both World Wars. In the Second World War, the Squadron offered its clubhouse to the Admiralty and the castle became HMS Vectis, suffering damage in the air raids on Cowes, which was targeted for its shipbuilding industry
• French painter Raoul Dufy depicted the Royal Yacht Squadron and its races in several works during the late 1920s and early 1930s. The most famous, Regatta at Cowes, 1934, is housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, USA

Cowes Week is on August 8–15 (01983 295744; www.aamcowesweek.co.uk)

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Published on May 11th, 2015 | by Assoc Editor

Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary, history in the making

Published on May 11th, 2015 by Assoc Editor -->

Cowes, England (May 11, 2015) – With less than 80 days until the start of the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Bicentenary International Regatta in Cowes, for some competing yachts, preparation is even more frantic than for others.

They are getting ready for the Transatlantic Race which starts in less than two months from Newport RI, and are headed towards the UK bringing them closer to the RYS Bicentenary start line in Cowes, England. Amongst those going the extra few miles to be in the line-up, when the regatta celebrating the club’s 200 years starts on 25th July, are the beautiful S&S ketch Dorade built in 1930, McCurdy & Rhodes 48’ Carina and Swan 57 Noonmark V.

None of the three are any stranger to long distance racing. In fact despite being a lady of a certain age, Dorade carries her 39ft waterline length, 53ft overall, to ever new achievements. 2015 will see her take part in another Transatlantic Race and another Fastnet Race, just as she did both in 1931.

From Newport RI to Cowes is a long way but, along with the rest of the now nearly 70 strong fleet, it will be worth being part of the dramatic line up of modern, ultramodern and vintage yachts including four of the magnificent J Class, vying on the Solent start line in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron Castle which dominates the water’s edge at Cowes.

Report by Event Media

Tags: Dorade , NYYC Transatlantic Race , Royal Yacht Squadron

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Mermaid unveiled in Cowes

• May 6, 2008

New RYS sculpture unveiled on the rocks

A new sculpture has been unveiled to mark the completion of the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Jubilee Haven in Cowes. The Mermaid, which was sculpted by Belgravia-based Jonathan Wylder, was presented to the members of the Royal Yacht Squadron by the Commodore to in memory of Lord Grantham who, on lst June 1815, presided over the first meeting of The Yacht Club, as the Squadron was known at the time of its formation, and whose yacht was called “Mermaid”.

On 3rd May, the Mermaid was unveiled by Sharron Davies, the Olympic Silver and Commonwealth Gold medal swimmer, on whom she was modelled. The sculpture languishes on the rocks on the elbow of the breakwater on the seaward side.

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The Royal Yacht Squadron; memorials of its members, with an enquiry into the history of yachting and its development in the Solent; and a complete list of members with their yachts from the foundation of the club to the present time from the official records. By Montague Guest and William B. Boulton

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Flag Officers of the Royal Yacht Squadron

The Hon Sir James Holman

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Vice Commodore

P l f french esq.

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Rear Commodore Finance

Jeremy bennett esq.

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Rear Commodore Yachting

B b huber esq.

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Royal Yacht Squadron

The Castle, Cowes, Isle of Wight, P031 7QT

Tel: +44 (0) 1983 292 191

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