7:16 AM Thu 14 Jan 2010 GMT
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'Committee of 1907-08 of the Derwent Yacht Club which a century ago became the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. Photo: RYCT'
RYCT ©
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Members of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania next Thursday, 21 January will attend a formal club dinner to mark the 100th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Warrant allowing the club to be known as The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.
The Commodore-in-Chief His Excellency the Honourable Peter Underwood, Governor of Tasmania, will be guest of honour at the dinner, which Commodore Clive Simpson describes as 'an opportunity for members to celebrate the centenary of a significant step forward in the status of our great club.'
Yachting has a long history on the River Derwent with the first Hobart Town Regatta being held on 1 December 1838 'to commemorate the discovery of Van Diemen's Land by Abel Tasman in 1642'.
The earliest attempt to form a yacht club and conduct regular racing on the River Derwent began when the Tasmanian Yacht Club was formed in 1859, but the club lapsed after a few seasons.
However, yacht racing on the Derwent achieved a permanent status when a group of Hobart sailing enthusiasts met on 20 May 1880 and re-formed the Derwent Yacht Club. This was the beginning 130 years ago of what is now The
Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, today one of Australia's most prestigious clubs with a fine history of conducting club, state, national and international races and regattas as well as its 65 years as host of one of the world's major ocean races, the Sydney Hobart.
Records show that in September 1901 the Derwent Yacht Club made an application to be granted a Royal Warrant but nothing further was heard of the matter, most likely because of the death of Queen Victoria in that year. It was not until the start of the 1907-08 season that a sub-committee was formed to enquire once more into obtaining a Royal Warrant.
It was a lengthy process, which required petitioning His Majesty King Edward VII and many other formalities through the Governor of Tasmania and the Premier of the State. It also required a petition to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for a Warrant to wear the Blue Ensign.
However, it was not until early in 1910 that the Admiralty Warrant was granted, thus authorising the Club and individual members, within certain restriction, to fly the Blue Ensign.
A new Club burgee was also created with the design of a white flag with a blue horizontal and a red vertical stripe enhanced with a Crown in the centre being approved by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty with the statement 'that they do not take exception to the flying of the burgees provided that they do not resemble any of the flags or pennants of His Majesty's ships.'
. Bookings for the 100th Anniversary Celebration dinner may be made at RYCT reception or by phoning 6223 4599 with RSVP essential by Monday, 18 January. Dress: Black tie. Club uniform is acceptable and the wearing of
minatures (medals and medallions) is permitted).
by Peter Campbell
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Sailing
