MORE EARLY YACHTING HISTORY
1126
A yachting reader desires further information as to the foundation of the Corinthian Yacht Club in 1904, and the amalgamation of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club with the Hongkong Boat Club, which latter appears to have originated in the Nineties. These matters were referred to in the two articles on early yachting published in this series last week. For the information now requested, we can again turn to the newspaper files.
The Hongkong Telegraph of March 6, 1903, states:
"Members of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club assembled in the Cricket Club pavilion last evening, to consider the advisability of amalgamating with the Hongkong Boat Club. Among those present were the Hon. F.H. May (Chairman), Messrs. Clark, A. Denison, Ryan, Mitchell, Ough, Deacon, Thornhill, Blood, Rouse and M.W. Slade (Hon. secretary).
"After the usual formalities the chairman addressed the assembly, and in the course of his remarks, said that a new site was necessary and that the cost of the only site available was more than the Club was able to face alone; besides it was doubtful if they could obtain the site without co-operation with the Boat Club.
"The Hon. Mr. May then moved that the meeting approve of the amalgamation of the Boat Club with the Yacht Club in the event of the proposed new site for the combined Clubs being obtained from the Government. Mr. Denison seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously."
The two clubs thereupon combined in seeking fresh accommodation, as we find in the following extract taken from the Hongkong Telegraph of October 3, 1903:
"It was satisfactory to learn at the annual meeting of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club last evening, that subscriptions have been increasing and that the Club appears to be in a strong financial position. New craft are being built and the coming season should provide some interesting sport in the championship class. The Hon. Mr. F.H. May, who presided, referred to a yacht designed by Colonel Brown, which was to be launched on Tuesday, October 6, and would endeavour to wrest the laurel wreath from the crack designer Payne from Southampton. Mr. C.A. Tomes was also building to the design of Mr. Payne, who had been so successful in Hongkong waters.
"Replying to a question by Colonel Brown regarding the Yacht Club house, the Chairman said there was a sub-committee appointed by the joint committees of the Yacht Club and of the Boat Club to investigate the matter, and they were to report to the joint committees, whereupon the joint committees would report to the general meeting of their respective clubs."
The amalgamation was effected in due course, on the present site at North Point being secured. Building of the new premises then went ahead, and the joint club house was opened in March, 1908.
Not long after the decision to amalgamate, some dissension seems to have arisen in the R.H.K.Y.C., and towards the close of 1904 the Corinthian Yacht Club was formed. It is perhaps more than a mere legend that certain R.H.K. Yacht Club members had resented what they considered the autocratic rule of their commodore, Mr. F.H. May (afterwards to become the Governor, Sir Henry May).
Page 285
Page 286
MORE EARLY YACHTING HISTORY
1126
A yachting reader desires further information as to the foundation of the Corinthian Yacht Club in 1904, and the amalgamation of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club with the Hongkong Boat Club, which latter appears to have originated in the Nineties. These matters were referred to in the two articles on early yachting published in this series last week. For the information now requested, we can again turn to the newspaper files.
The Hongkong Telegraph of March 6, 1903, states:
"Members of the Royal Hongkong Yacht Club assembled in the Cricket Club pavilion last evening, to consider the advisability of amalgamat- ing with the Hongkong Boat Club. Among those present were the Hon. F.H. May (Chairman), Messrs. Clark, A. Dension, Ryan, Mitchell, Ough, Deacon, Thornhill, Blood, Rouse and M.W. Slade (Hon. secretary).
"After the usual formalities the chairman addressed the assembly, and in the course of his remarks, said that a new site was necessary and that the cost of the only site available was more than the Club was able to face alone; besides it was doubtful if they could obtain the site without co-operation with the Boat Club.:*.
"The Hon Mr.May then moved that the meeting approve of the amalgamation of the Boat Club' with the Yacht Club in the event of the proposed new site for the combined Clubs being obtained from the Government. Mr. Denison seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously."
The two clubs thereupon combined in seeking fresh adcommodation, as we find in the following extract taken from the Hongkong Telegraph of October 3, 1903:
*
5.
"It was satisfactory to learn at the annual meeting of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club last evening, that subscriptions have been increasing and that the Club appears to be in a strong financial position. New craft are being built and the coming season' should provide some interesting sport in the championship class. The Hon. Mr.F.H. May, who presided, referred to a yacht designed by Colonel Brown, whichwas to be launched on Tuesday, October 6, and would endeavour to wrest the laurel wreath from the crack designer Payne from Southampton. Mr. CA. Tomes was also building to the design of Kry Payne, who had been so successful in Hongkong waters.
"Replying to a question by Colonel Brown regarding the Yacht Club house, the Chairman said there was a sub-committee appointed by the joint committees of the Yacht Club and of the Boat Club to investigate the matter, and they were to report to the joint committees, whereupon the joint committees would report to the general meeting of their respective clubs.".
The amalgamation was effected in due course, on the present site at North Point being secured. Building of the new premises then went ahead, and the joint club house was opened in March, 1908.
Not long after the decision to amalgamate, some dissension seems to have arisen in the R.H.X.X.C., and towards the close of 1904 the Corinthian Yacht Club was formed. It is perhaps more than a mere legend that certain R.H.K. Yacht Club members had resented what they considered the autocratic rule of their commodore, Mr.F.H. May (afterwards to become the Governor, Sir Henry May).
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