Plate XXII.From a painting at Halkshill.THE "CLARENCE": AN EARLY RACING CUTTER.Larger image
Plate XXII.
From a painting at Halkshill.
THE "CLARENCE": AN EARLY RACING CUTTER.
Larger image
In the races held in 1833-34—most prominent years—John Scott, with theHawk, won the Anglesey Cup at Dublin, and the Oban and Helensburgh Cups; while Robert Sinclair, with theClarence, won the Ladies' Cup at Oban, the Kintyre Cup at Campbeltown, the Dublin, Adelaide, and Booth Cups at Dublin, the Stewart Cup at Greenock, the Largs Cup and the Dunoon Cup. These two yachts were indeed close rivals,although the principal honours rested with theClarence. On one occasion, however, theHawkunexpectedly defeated theClarencein an important race at Dublin, and the owners were anxious to have the cup in Greenock as soon as possible for a special reason. Recognising that theClarencewas really the faster boat, they handed over the trophy to her crew to take to the Clyde port; but the luck which enabled theHawkto win the cup stood by her on the passage home, and she made the port a considerable time before her rival.
TheClarencebecame a pilot boat, and was unfortunately run down off Garroch Head, while theHawkwas transferred to the fishing trade. In later years John Scott, C.B., had the laudable desire to secure as a relic the vessel his grandfather had owned, but the negotiations failed; and the boat is probably still at work among the islands of Scotland.
The Royal Northern Club's fleet in the 'thirties numbered about fifty, but there were no steam vessels on the list until 1855. Among the principal boats in the club were the Duke of Portland's ketch, theClown, of 156 tons; the Duke of Buccleuch's cutter, theFlower of Yarrow, of 145 tons; Mr. John Scott's cutter, theLufra, of 81 tons; Mr. Robert Meiklem's schooner,Crusader, of 126 tons; and Mr. Lewis Upton's cutter,Briton, of 91 tons. The membership was about one hundred and fifty, the aggregate tonnage of the fleet about 2000 tons, and its cost, at a fairly generous estimate, about £20,000.
What a contrast is suggested by a review of the fleet of yachts owned to-day by Clyde yachtsmen! There are now eight clubs in the Firth recognised by the Yacht Racing Association, and one of the largest of these—the Royal Clyde—alone has over a thousand members, with a fleet of over three hundred and seventy yachts, of a collective tonnage of 26,000 tons, and of a first cost of a million sterling. The club-house at Hunter's Quay, which costabout £20,000, is representative of the best of its kind. Many of the yachts—sailing and steam—are of considerable size, and have international repute for their excellence, either as racers, or as comfortable seaworthy cruisers.
The origin of the Royal Clyde Club in itself affords interesting suggestion of the development of the pastime on the Clyde. Owing to a rule enforced by the Royal Northern Club during the earlier period of its existence, boats smaller than 8 tons could not be enrolled; many enthusiastic owners of small craft were thus debarred from membership, and in 1856 they decided to form a new club. This, first named the Clyde Model Yacht Club, became, a year later, the Clyde Yacht Club; and, having grown immensely in influence, obtained, in 1872, Queen Victoria's sanction to the appellation of "Royal." To-day the Royal Clyde Yacht Club is one of the most important in the Kingdom.
John Scott (1752-1837) was long a prominent member of the Royal Northern Club. His son, Charles Cuningham Scott, was an original member, but did not take the same active part in the pastime, the claims of a quickly-developing industry being probably the reason. But the records of the family were again revived by his sons—John Scott, C.B., Robert Sinclair Scott, and Colin William Scott. They displayed a preference for steam craft, although the first-named owned several cutters, beginning with theZingara; later several beautiful yachts, each successive ship being named theGreta, were built for him. The first of these, of 1876, and the last, of 1895, are illustrated on the Plate facing this page. He was elected Commodore of the Royal Clyde Club in 1895 in acknowledgment of his services to the club and to yachting generally, and he occupied the post until his death in 1904.