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A History of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club 1871 – 2012

The book “A History of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club 1871 – 2012” by Andrew Pool is on sale for £20 (plus P&P £3.50 to UK).

The book, which is 288 pages with hundreds of illustrations, charts the history of the Club in detail from its founding in 1871, through the World Wars, to 2012, and includes many fascinating chapters such as those recording the Royal Patronage and Notable Members.

Some comments received so far:

It was just a few days before lockdown last March that you gave me your RCYC History.   I have had it on my table next to my chair in front of the fire ever since.   Over the months I have dipped into it regularly and I have read it all, some of it twice or more.   It has been a great companion.   I never cease to marvel at all the stuff you got together and how masterly you presented it.   All sorts of people I had never heard of are like old friends.   Each section reads like a good story, whether it be racing, cruising, the fortunes of the women, or the building itself.   It is quite the best yacht club history I have read and brings it all to life.
Anyway, I enjoyed it all enormously and am full of admiration for your diligence and clarity.   Thank you for filling many a locked-down evening with such vivid pictures.   I’m sure it’s very good history too. CT

I returned from the supper last night and took your history into the sitting room to give it the once-over. Experienced in reading these things, I was expecting a catalogue of dates, events and winners.   Two hours after taking up the sofa I tore myself away from the book; it is a triumph.  I can easily see why it took so long to complete.  TW

I picked up my copy and am amazed at the depth of research you undertook!   It is a fascinating volume....... CONGRATULATIONS!!!    EG

I must compliment you on the excellent result of all your labours.  Clearly you spent many hours researching and talking to many people to gather all the background information.  Having done all that you had to compile it into the resulting compelling history of the club.   RH

I have just completed reading your book from cover to cover – my congratulations on a fine piece of work which members will treasure.  NA

I must take this opportunity to congratulate you on a superb publication!  HH

… thank you so very much for the wonderful book you have produced.   My family and I are having hours of pleasure reading it.   ET

Please contact the Club for further information.

The Log of the Owl – July 1914

The log of the OWL was found in the library of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club late in 2011. Enquiries of the Club’s officers were unable to establish exactly how the log had come into the possession of the Club, but it was generally agreed that it had not been in the library for long.

The log itself includes a good description of the OWL. The quality of its build can best be judged by the fact that over 100 years after launching she is still in use as a (very expensive) charter yacht.

Find Out More

Pre 1871

The club’s origins go back before 1871, to the earlier Port of Falmouth Regattas. The inaugural meeting nominated twenty-one Vice Patrons, a President, nine Vice-Presidents, a Commodore, four Vice-Commodores, a Rear-Commodore, an Honorary Treasurer, two Honorary Secretaries and a Committee of 38.

1871

On the club’s foundation, Queen Victoria and HRH The Prince of Wales became Patrons.

Late 1800s

The original dress code for members was a blue serge reefer jacket with black metal buttons and blue trousers, and a blue oval-shaped cap with a peak covered in blue cloth edged with an oak leaf pattern.

1872

The club elected to spend 1872 at the Falmouth Hotel and, finding it too remote from the harbour moved to the Greenbank Hotel in 1874, where it remained until 1883, when it moved to Greenbank House, where it has remained ever since.

1876

In 1876 the first female member was welcomed. Miss Georgiana Mary Gregor of Torquay owned Morwenna (20 tons) and Teresa (9 tons). The second female member joined in 1894.

1883

After the move to Greenbank House in 1883 the initial subscription for membership was one guinea.

Early 1900s

An early club rule stated that any member found guilty of smuggling shall be expelled and shall not be eligible for re-election.

Early 1900s

The early club had a Regatta Fund, which was supplemented by a donation of 25 guineas per year from the Prince of Wales.

1900s

Appleby’s Door was created so that Rear-Commodore Appleby could take a short cut from the Greenbank Hotel, where he was a permanent resident.

1914 to 1918

During World War One, there was no racing but some restricted sailing continued. After the war, Corinthian Racing and the annual Regatta restarted.

1934

The first national dinghy championship held under the club’s burgee was in 1934 when it hosted the Prince of Wales Cup Week for the International Fourteens.

1938

The club’s first involvement with offshore racing was in 1938, when it hosted the Falmouth-Kingstown Race.

1940s

During World War Two, there was little sailing. All club racing was abandoned in 1940 and not resumed until 1946.

World War Two

During the war, it was decided that ladies would be permitted into the cocktail bar during an air raid warning, and also between noon and 1pm daily.

Late 1940s

Due to austerity after the war, it was decided that whisky would be sold on alternate days.

1950s

In October 1957, a Women’s Committee was formed to assist it with social matters.

1957

The first children’s Christmas Party was held in 1957.

1950s

Pip Holman was the only Admiral appointed in the history of the Club. He owned Morva, the club’s flagship for many years.

1969

On 22^nd April 1969, Robin Knox-Johnston landed at the club on completing the first single-handed non-stop circumnavigation.

1971

The club celebrated its Centenary in 1971. It held a dinner at the Budock Vean Hotel, which Prince Philip attended.

1975

The club launch is an 18ft Plymouth Pilot. Acquired in 1975, it continues to give good service and is now on its fourth engine.

1975

The first AZAB race was held in 1975. There were 40 entries, all single-handed. Since 1975, the event has run every four years and entry numbers have continued to grow.

2001

Ben Ainslie was elected an Honorary Life Member in 2001 in recognition of winning his first Olympic gold medal in Finns.

2000s to Present

Walking is an unusual activity for a yacht club yet regular walks are popular amongst members.

2012

RCYC members volunteered in the 2012 Olympics at Weymouth.

2012

In 2012, for the first time since 1936, the club hosted a J-Class Regatta.

2013

In summer 2013, the newly created RCYC Sailing Trust’s first event took place, when Sam Goodchild took several young hopefuls for a sail on his Figaro Class racing yacht. The aim of the trust is to encourage and provide the opportunity for families and children to experience sailing around Falmouth.

2015

In June 2015, RCYC hosted the J Class Regatta in Falmouth.

On 29 October 2015, a book called “A History of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club 1871 – 2012” by Andrew Pool was launched. The book charts the history of the Club in detail from its founding in 1871, through the World Wars, to 2012, and includes many fascinating chapters such as those recording the Royal Patronage and Notable Members. The book is available to purchase for £30 (plus P&P £3.50 to UK). Copies are available from the bar or the admin office.

2016

In February 2016, RCYC club members, Nick and Tim Woodley, completed the Cumbria Climb to raise money for the RCYC Youth Sailing Trust. They climbed to the top of Helvellyn and another Fell. After three days of extreme weather conditions, the members managed to get the club burgee up to a total of just under 6000ft.