The period of two yacht clubs
In yesterday's article mention was made of the fact that not many years ago there were two yacht clubs in the Colony, the separation taking place apparently in the early part of the present century (1904).
During the period 1908 to 1910, they were both in a decidedly flourishing state, and moved into new and improved premises. In view of the large and enthusiastic body of yachtsmen in Hongkong to-day, a fuller reference to that time will no doubt be of great interest; and from a historical point of view the location of the Corinthian Yacht Club, now defunct, should be recorded.
I shall take first the ceremonial opening of the present premises of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club, which took place in March, 1908, the new location being known as No. 5, North Point, Shaukiwan Road.
The South China Morning Post of March 23, 1908, published the following:
On Saturday afternoon (March 21) the new Club house of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club, was formally opened by His Excellency the Governor. There was a large gathering of ladies and gentlemen and a fleet of yachts and cruisers, gay with bunting, added to the picturesqueness of the scene. The Governor was met on his arrival by Mr. H. E. Pollock K.C., (now Sir Henry Pollock) who escorted him to the Club's flag staff where the majority of the company had gathered.
Mr. Pollock said: Your Excellency, in the absence of Mr. May, our commodore, (later the Governor, Sir Henry May) the pleasant task has fallen to me of welcoming Your Excellency to-day and inviting you to open the premises of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club. Our Club, which was originally known as the Corinthian Sailing Club, has been in existence for some eighteen years (since about 1890) but we have not until the present time been so fortunate as to have any Club premises of our own. In 1894 we became by royal warrant the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club (the warrant was received in 1893), and I may say that since we started as the Corinthian Sailing Club in 1889 we have improved the type and design of our boats until at present we have a fleet of yachts and cruisers of which I think we may well be proud. Before these premises were erected, sir, we amalgamated with the Hongkong Boating Club, which includes amongst its members some of the best oarsmen in the Colony. Therefore we are able not only to carry on yachting, but we are able also to enter teams to compete in rowing races. We ask Your Excellency now to open the Club and I have to thank you sir, on behalf of the members, for your kindness in coming here to-day, when you have so many calls upon your time. I will ask you to open the club by breaking out the flag.
His Excellency then unfurled the Club flag amid the applause of the onlookers. Afterwards he said: I wish every possible success to the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club and I hope I may be here to see its success for some years to come (Applause).
Cheers were given for His Excellency, and the party then made an inspection of the new premises.
These premises are still in occupation.
The Governor then, it might be noted, was Sir Frederick Lugard.
In the S.C.M. Post of August 26, 1909, appeared the following interesting item:
The Corinthian Yacht Club, with a membership of 285, finds its present quarters far too cramped, and a proposition is on foot to provide the club with a more permanent and adequate home. To this end plans have been prepared by Mr. E. M. Hazeland, architect, and are now posted in the Club House for the information of members. There is the difficulty of paying off...
THE PERIOD OF TWO YACHT CLUBS
In yesterday's article mention was made of the fact that not many years ago there were two yacht clubs in the Colony, the separation taking place apparently in the early part of the present century (1904).
During the period 1908 to 1910, they were both in a decidedly flourish- ing state, and moved into new and improved premises. In view of the large and enthusiastic body of yachtsmen in Hongkong to-day, a fuller reference to that time will no doubt be of great interest; and from a his- torical point of view the location of the Corinthian Yacht Club, now defunct, should be recorded.
I shall take first the ceremonial opening of the present premises
of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club, which took place in March, 1908, the new so location being known as No.5, North Point, Shaukiwan Road.
The South China Morning Post of March 23, 1908, published the
following:
On Saturday afternoon (March 21) the new Club house of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club, was formally opened by His Excellency the Governor. There was a large gathering of ladies and gentlemen and a fleet of yachts and cruisers, gay with bunting, added to the picturesqueness of the scene. The Governor was met on his arrival by Mr.H.E. Pollock K.C., (now Sir Henry Pollock) who escorted him to the Club's flag staff where the majority of the company had gathered.
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Mr. Pollock said: Your Excellency, in the absence of Mr. May, our modore, (later the Governor, Sir Henry May) the pleasant task has fallen to me of welcoming Your Excellency to-day and inviting you to open the premises of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Glub. Our Club, which was originally known as the Corinthian Sailing Club, has been in existence for some eighteen years (since about 1890) but we have not until the present time been so fortunate as to have any Club premises of our own. In 1894 we became by royd warrant the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club (the warrant was received in 1893), and I may say that since we started as the Corinthian Sailing Club in 1889 we have improved the type and design of our boats until at present we have a fleeti of yachts and cruisers of which I think we may well be proud. Before these premises were erected, sir, we amalgamated with the Hongkong Boating Club, which includes amongst its members some of the best oarsmen in the Colony. Therefore we are able to not only to carry on yachting, but we are able also to enter teams to compete in rowing races. We ask Your Excellency now to open the Club and I have to thank you sir, on behalf of the members, for your kindness in coming here to-day, when you have so many calls upon your time. I will ask you to open the club by breaking out the flag.
His Excellency then unfurled the Club flag amid the applause of the onlookers. Afterwards he said: I wish every possible success to the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club and I hope I may be here to see its success for some years to come (Applause).
Cheers were given for His Excellency, and the party then, made an inspection of the new premises.
These premises are still in occupation.
The Governor then, it might be noted, was Sir Frederick Lugard.
In the 3.C.M. Post of August 26, 1909, appeared the following interesting item:
The Corinthian Yacht Club, with a membership of 285, finds its present quarters far too cramped, and a proposition is on foot to provide the club with a more permanent and adequate home. To this end plans have been prepared by Mr.E.M. Hazeland, architect, and are now posted in the Club House for the information of members. There is the difficulty of paying off .
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