History and Archive 1870 to 2020 and beyond …..
Overview
Thames Sailing Club (TSC) was founded by a small group of enthusiasts in 1870. In those days sailing was a very different sport with few rules and almost no boats being of the same design. Soon, more rules were established and designs became not dissimilar but with a handicap system to provide a better balanced and competitive racing environment.
In the early years, club sailing may have only taken place around six or so times a year. However with more clubs established by the 1880s inter club competitions were enthusiastically supported.
The last three decades of the nineteenth century saw a rapid expansion of interest in water based activities as time and money became more available. River sailing quickly developed from larger keel boats struggling in the narrow waters and small rowing craft with crude sails to a more standard form of boat designed for river sailing and speed. This started with what were in effect rowing boats with sails, otherwise known as Gigs, and the 2 man crew B Class Rater which was sailed at a number of clubs up and down the river. Soon the larger 3 man A Rater became popular at TSC and Upper Thames SC. It was only just before the Second World War that new classes of lightweight racing dinghies were introduced, such as the International 14 and a little later the Firefly (Designed pre war by Uffa Fox for Oxford and Cambridge Universities and built in 1946) and National 12 (designed and built by Uffa Fox in 1936 and sold for less than £45). After the war, a further explosion in new designs occurred. For TSC that included National 12s and Merlin Rockets as well as the Cadet for Juniors – and a rapid growth in membership.
The Bourne End Regatta, at Upper Thames SC near Marlow, became the premier river event on the non tidal Thames and was seen by many as part of the social season alongside Ascot and Wimbledon. Clubs from as far apart as Tamesis Club at Teddington and Henley SC at Henley took part. TSC still provides strong support today (2010’s) with both its classic Thames A Raters and smaller craft, including Merlin Rockets and Toppers, taking part.
TSC’s history embraces a wide range of interesting facts including being the first UK club to have links with the St Petersburg Sailing Club, connections to the aircraft industry and the Olympics, is associated with three Royal families and has had members who have made significant contributions to the development of racing dinghies and the international sailing rules.
Today we maintain an enthusiastic and competitive sailing environment in one, two and three man boats and have a strong sail and power boat training programme run under the auspices of the UK’s boating governing body, the RYA. Although a sailing club, the 2000s saw the involvement and significant growth of members with an interest in Stand Up Paddle-boarding.
As any sportsman will know a lively social scene usually accompanies the sport and TSC’s wonderful Victorian style clubhouse overlooking the grounds of Hampton Court Palace offers an ideal riverside setting for the many and varied social events to take place.
Acknowledgements: Information has been garnered from many sources including records from Upper Thames SC, Tamesis Club, Minima Club and particularly Ingrid Holford’s excellent booklet which is on our website called ‘A Century of Sailing on the Thames’. Mark Laity has also done much work on our history and this has been of significant help. And particular thanks are due to Richard Winter for his advice and recollections. Many others have assisted and the author would like to thank them all for their contributions; be it providing photos, confirming information or pointing him in the right direction. Much information has been gleaned from the web and historic journals such as Hunt’s Magazine, the Surrey Comet, Country Life Magazine and The Field as well as other sources. Thanks also to Malcolm Clements for his excellent editorial work. Particular thanks to David Dixson, Matt Kyte, Brian Reynolds and Mel Hardman for their photographic contribution
Notes: – This document is intended to be not only a history but an equally important part of a complete electronically stored archive of TSC material; hence the many links.
Information has come from a wide range of sources including third parties and the web. Information has been confirmed where practical.
– Formatting may not be accurate for mobile phones.
Thames Sailing Club – The early years
In this day and age of fast cars, space travel and computer technology it is hard to think what 1870 was like. The ‘west’ was wild with Wyatt Earp being his outlaw self and Gladstone was Prime Minister. Charles Dickens, novelist, died in 1870. Steamships had only been around for 30 years or so and the motor car(riage) did not yet exist.
Sailing on the river was minimal, but rowing was far more popular. In the 1860’s Ravens Ait housed The Kingston Rowing Club (KRC). At the time it was known as Messenger Island, after Mr Messenger, a boat builder who had his premises on the island.
Our early records have been lost but it has been suggested that a group of six rowers from KRC also owned sailing boats which were kept on the East coast. It is thought that they agreed to bring their craft up to Surbiton to over-winter and on pleasant days some attempted to sail their keel boats whilst others sailed gigs.
However, an alternative suggestion, from Mark Laity TSC member, is that a rowing club named the Grosvenor Rowing Club had been formed in the 1860’s, upstream of Ravens Ait, some of whose members also had three small sea going sailing craft. So perhaps it was this that evolved into TSC in 1870.
Or possibly the Grosvenor Rowing Club was on Ravens Ait but was renamed Kingston Rowing Club at some time and it is from here that our founding members came. (Note: Dickens states that there were 33 rowing clubs between Greenwich and Oxford (Dickens List of Rowing Clubs on the Thames (1883) page 183). Dickens also describes TSC and Surbiton here – Dickens’ Dictionary of the Thames – Surbiton & TSC.
The first article in the press found so far states the following:
The Field – Saturday 24 December 1870 THE FIELD, THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S NEWSPAPER
Yachting
SMALL SAILING BOAT.—Having seen a discussion in your paper on the subject of small sailing boating, we think it may be of interest to some of your readers to know that a club, styled the Thames Sailing Club, and having its station at Surbiton, has lately been established to encourage improvement in , and sailing of, such small boats on the Thames above [Kingston] bridge; all particulars regarding which can be obtained on application to the honorary secretary, Mr Edward B Selby, 9, Fenchurch Street, London, EC.
Other early articles can be found here TSC Press Articles 1870-1872 (Thanks to Malcolm Clements for these)
However the first race report was in Hunt;s Yachting Magazine which describes the first race held on the 18th March 1871. The full text can be read here Hunt’s Magazine 1871 – TSCs First Race
Society was very different in the late 19th and early 20th century. In particular sailing was not considered to be a sport for ladies and few managed to take part. Indeed, the same applied to the clubhouse and the bar and balcony adjacent to the bar was considered to be for male members only. The balcony actually had a barrier that could be swung into place to separate the fairer sex from their male counterparts but the ladies could get a drink by way of the hatch in the dining room which still exists. (2020). The big change occurred in 1952 when it was finally agreed that lady members should have equal rights with male members.
The first set of Rules for the club can be seen here (First Rules 1871) and a copy still exists in the clubhouse . Today’s Rules (2020) extend to 18 A4 pages; excluding Sailing Instructions plus a Constitution of 26 pages! A race ‘entrance fee’, of 5 shillings, was payable for each race which is, at 2020, £30 per race!
Sailing
Early small river based sailing craft were mainly like rowing boats with a mast and sail; otherwise known as ‘gigs’ (see right). To the left, one may admire the efforts of this sailor to capture the wind. This depicts a canoe from the Canoe Club at Teddington which may have had one of the first sailing craft with a lifting centre-plate. TSC has often been described as the first inland, non tidal, sailing club but is this true? First Inland Sailing Club
As may be seen on the left we had somewhat larger craft also enjoying the river in the early days.
In 1871 racing started in earnest with races for gigs as well as larger craft ranging from 14 ft long to 30 tonnes. For our regatta in 1871 some 80 applications to join the race were received and 57 boats actually started.
The race attracted much interest from the public who lined the river bank to watch. The fleet was split into three groups with separate starts. For each start a rope was stretched across the river with 20 short lines hanging down equally spread. Each had a cork attached and a distinguishing number. A competitor held the cork and awaited the signal ‘to run up their sails’ and start.
Two boats were disqualified for ‘the crews rowing with their hands’. For the last of the three groups the race was challenging in that the wind had almost died away. One enterprising helm started ‘working his rudder ‘à la screw-propeller’; and so tiller wagging had begun. Many objected to this unseemly form of propulsion and a Rule was established to ban such an unsporting practice. ………’ (taken from Century of Sailing by TSC member Ingrid Holford.) also see TSC Early Races 1871 Season and 1st QUEEN’S CUP report 1893
New boats were commissioned and the designs were more suited to the challenges of river sailing. A good example of design development can be seen by the repeated alterations to Ruby, built by Burgoine at his yard in Hampton Wick (opposite Kingston). This, incidentally, was Tamesis Club’s first home located on the first floor. Tamesis Club was a spin off from TSC in 1885. History of Tamesis Club
Ruby as she was built in 1870.
Next is the drawing of her modified design, adding an extra 6 feet, by way of an extended stern. This was undertaken in 1888.
The lower picture shows the change to the bow, again extending the waterline length when heeling. From her original 18ft she had now evolved to a length of 28ft 6ins plus a 4ft bowsprit. It is interesting to note, in the middle picture, that she has both a weighted keel (shaded area) and a lifting centre plate to accommodate the shallower waters. In her time Ruby won a number of races at Thames.
Sailing was very different in the late 1800’s as compared with club racing today. A club became established but might hold only a few races on its own waters or organise races on different waters and boats could travel anywhere between Oxford and Twickenham for a race.
Of particular interest to many may be this previously unseen race report from 1901 together with pictures of Alannah which, as far as is known, has not previously been identified. Alannah won the Queen’s Challenge Cup in 1901. (See text highlighted in yellow in … Thames Sailing Club – Race Report and Photos April 1901 . This report also highlights another interesting point. Of the eight boats mentioned only Ulva exists today. The others – Alannah (rated 1), Alsking (1), Latona (0.80), Merrythought (0.85), Elsie, Vera and Yvonne no longer exist.
The race report from the Middlesex and Surrey Express should also be read. This highlights the interesting way in which matches were arranged. In this example the race was held at Thames United Sailing Club, Laleham. The event was for the Thames Sailing Club’s Champion’s Cup, plus a £10 prize, and the Officer of the Day was Thames Sailing Club’s Hon Sec. See Thames United Sailing Club – Race Report July 1901
The 1870’s and 80’s saw a rapid development of racing rules across all forms of sail boat racing to reduce the alarming rise in ‘incidents’. In 1872 Hunt’s Yachting Magazine published a review of the previous year’s activity and described it as a year of ‘accident and protest’.
The emergence of racing rules possibly started in the 1700’s. Certainly in 1820 racing rules existed but, it would seem, the rules were different at each club. After several false starts in 1875 the Yacht Racing Association (YRA) was formed (concerned mainly with sea going craft) and an agreed set of ‘standard’ rules established. (see History of the Racing Rules of Sailing ). Over the years these were refined to take into account the needs of river craft, the owners of which, through their clubs, had formed their own Sailing Boat Association (SBA) with rules appropriate for smaller boats. TSC played its part in the development of the SBA which eventually joined the YRA together with the Boat Racing Association in 1921. The YRA evolved into the RYA, the UK’s principal Boating Association. More details may be found in the following The RYA & YRA and SBA
Both in Europe and the US clubs had been developing a rule book but each had different rules, thus causing confusion when craft sailed at other clubs. In the 1934 America’s Cup race TSC member T.O.M. Sopwith sailing Endeavour had a right of way incident with Harold D Vanderbilt (USA), sailing Rainbow. Sopwith was sailing to the UK rules and Vanderbilt to those of the US. Both were right according to their own country’s rules! Vanderbilt was unhappy about this state of affairs and after several years got agreement to the basics of the International Sailing Rules that are used around the world today.
The Thames Rater
This picture of TSC is worthy of inclusion. It will be noted that the bar extension does not exist, that the craft in the foreground are possibly A Raters that the boat in the second row nearest the hard could be a gig and that at the end of the hard is a crane which, presumably, is to lift Raters and other craft in and out of the water at each end of the season. The slipway would not appear to be wide enough for a Rater.
It will also be seen that nearly all the boats have bunting. Might this have been to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee on 20th June 1897? Oh, and no apartment blocks in the background!
B Rater at UTSC with Jib and Main reefed
Meanwhile, in the 1880’s the inland sailors, through the SBA, had developed a ‘rating’ system to provide a handicap or allowance for each boat dependent upon the formula sail area x waterline length divided by 6000. If the result was between 1 and 0.6 the boat was deemed to be an A Rater and if less than 0.6 it was classed as a B Rater. The 1880’s and 90’s saw the B Rater, a 2 man boat, established as a class at a number of clubs including TSC, Tamesis and Upper Thames Sailing Club (UTSC).
However, in the 1890’s the tall trees near TSC increasingly caused frustration so a larger boat – with, at first, a ‘balanced lug’, then Gunter rig and finally a Bermuda rig – was developed for a 3 man crew and this was deemed an A Rater. Some craft were built that could be classed as an A or B Raters
It was not until the late 1930’s that the 45ft mast and Bermuda rig was introduced by Beecher Moore. Before that time, it was not uncommon for bamboo gafs and booms to be used to lighten the topside weight. (see above left)
The early 1980’s saw a rapid expansion of the Rater fleet. It had been decided that new glass fibre boats were needed to stimulate interest in the class and Peter Dimmer played a significant role in organising a production run of 6 hulls for a figure of
around £15,000 (around £65,000 in 2019) by a company called Mustang Yachts of Cowes.
One other change is that in bygone days gentlemen owned the boats and the crews deemed themselves fortunate to be crew. The owners would expect the crew to get the boat ready so that the owner, or his nominated helm, could just step aboard and off they went. Certainly after the late 1940’s and onwards fewer Raters were owned by one person and nearly all, today (2020) are owned by syndicates with each member owning X number of 64ths of the boat. It is thought that this number originated from the Venetian practice and in 1823 in the UK the Shipowners Society proposed using 64 shares. The idea was later enshrined in the Merchant Shipping Act of 1854 and continues to this day.
The most recent addition at that time was Dainty Two built in 1922. It was decided to build in Glass Reinforced Plastic and to use Ulva, built in 1898, as the shape for the mould. So a further 12 A Raters were built between 1998 and 2010 but not all from the same mould.
Some interesting film footage exists of Raters sailing for the Queens Cup 1923 showing B Raters, Queens Cup 1926 showing A & B Raters, 1933 with Bermuda rig Bourne End 1933 and 2008 with glass fibre craft competing – and capsizing – Queens Cup 2008 . (additional footage from Queens Cup 1929 and Queens Cup 1973 with Richard Winter helming No 7; also some excellent footage of ‘A’ Raters at Bourne End and Three Rivers Race and also Yachts & Yachting Race reports and photos )
More information may be found here:
Details of A Raters on Wikipedia also Rater No 24 Adventurer
Rater Descriptions as at 2006 XXXXX UPDATE
A Rater Article – Classic Boat 2013
The Thames A Rater Association website
See also A Century of Sailing on the Thames by Ingrid Holford on the TSC website.
Whilst Raters are obviously a key element of TSC, other craft were also in use including Gigs.
Tamesis also adopted the A Raters but in 1919 their A Raters joined the TSC fleet and Tamesis settled on the B Rater as their principal class until the arrival of the National 18 in 1949. (See International 18 History)
In 1934 International 14s (see International 14 History) were of sufficient numbers to warrant a separate class.
In 1935 Beecher Moore persuaded the club to buy five Thames Valley craft. They were 14ft long with 26ft masts. However they proved to be rather heavy and prone to capsizing so quietly fell out of use.
1935 saw race starts for A Raters, Int. 14s, Olympic Monotypes (see The Olympic Monotype Class (1935), Thames Valley Dinghies, a Handicap class and Canoes in the Laying Up regatta!
After the second world war many clubs expanded dramatically. The world of the ‘gentleman’ sailor had gone. (A gentleman was defined as a man who was paid monthly and not one who earned a ‘weekly wage’.) Low cost 2 man dinghies such as the Merlin Rocket (14ft with spinnaker) established in 1951 Merlin Rocket – The History, National 12 (12ft no spinnaker) Uffa Fox 1936 History of the National 12 and Cadets (Jack Holt 1947) for juniors (10.5 ft with spinnaker) became popular (Cadet Class ).
In the 1960’s the Solo became more popular as more members preferred single handed sailing with no need to find a crew. In the 1990’s the Laser made an appearance and remained in the club for around a decade.
The A Rater became outnumbered by these less expensive craft. However it was the Enterprise (Jack Holt 1958) and Mirror dinghies (Jack Holt & Barry Bucknell 1962) that were produced in their tens of thousands that really put small racing boat sailing on the map although not at TSC.
Trophies
Where there is racing, so there are trophies. In the days of yesteryear trophies were given away and kept by their owners. The clock and flask are the earliest known and, unfortunately, remain in St Lucia as far as we are aware. The magnificent jug is inscribed Sealed Handicap Trophy and dated 1877. It currently (2020) resides in Cheshire and has been handed down within the family.
Many of our trophies have interesting stories attached. For instance, the Clayton Jackson trophy is the earliest we still present and dates from 1885. It was presented, by J.W. Clayton, to Thames Valley Sailing Club (Based at Hampton but no longer in existence. Thames Valley Sailing Club Hampton). F.H. Jackson of Thames SC having had three successive wins in his Rater, Caprice (prior to the current Caprice IV) was awarded the cup outright in 1888 and it has remained at Thames ever since.
Others trophies include gifts from Queen Victoria – the Queens Cup (not strictly ours as it was presented to Upper Thames SC, but we usually win it. Also see a write up on the 1st QUEEN’S CUP report 1893 . The Portuguese Duke of Bragança presented the magnificent Bragança Bowl.
There are also links to the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club and the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) with the Edgar Heaven Cup and many more interesting connections.
The Sigrist trophy reminds us of Kingston’s aircraft industry, the First World War and an early failed attempt to fly across the Atlantic.
William Dunnage – Dunnage Cup – owned the ‘Alert’, a very successful boat in its time, designed and built in 1874 by Burgoine of Kingston, the then best known local boat builder. Alert (waterline length 19′ 3″ by 7′ 3″) was described as “a combination of the shallow, the deep-keeled, and of the centreboard type”. During his time with TSC, Dunnage was both Rear and Vice Commodore. He also spent many years on the committee of the Yacht Racing Association, forerunner to the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the UK’s boating representative body.
…. and why do we have a copper cast …. of a kipper? See Golden Kipper .
The Longhope Trophy was presented to commemorate the tragic loss of the Longhope lifeboat on the night of 17th / 18th March 1969 which was one of the worst tragedies in British lifeboat history. The Stowell Cup gives us the first of two links with Minima Yacht Club. Full details of these and many other cups and trophies may be seen at see Trophy Book Web Version (2020)
(note: Trophies are awarded to the winner for safe keeping for the year and not retained on club premises.)
Members of special interest
Perhaps our most notable member was His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (June 1921 – April 2021). He became our Patron after his visit to TSC in 1958. having undertaken an ‘official’ visit to TS Neptune on Ravens Ait HRH Visit to Ravens Ait 1958. Following this visit and through the auspices of member Jack Moriarty, Prince Philip kindly agreed to become our patron. The Prince made a second visit to Ravens Ait in 1972 and his itinerary is shown here Itinerary for HRH Philip visit 1972 (1). It is understood that, much to the concern of HRHs staff the then commodore, Garth Holford, entertained the Prince in the bar with a pint in hand which significantly overstretched his schedule.
(Below left – Flag of the House of Bragança)
Below right – (Portuguese Flag possibly from 1904 held by TSC.)
Other royalty includes Luís Filipe the Duke of Bragança who was made an honorary member following several visits when in the UK in 1904. It is apparent that he enjoyed his time whilst at TSC as he kindly gave the magnificent Portuguese silver trophy known as the Bragança Bowl. In exchange we gave him a photograph album Presentation Photo Album given to Prince Luis Filipe of Portugal in May 1904 (Album courtesy of Maria de Jesus Monge, director of the Museum Library of the House of Bragança of the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa, Sintra, Portugal.) The sad news is that some four years later, in 1908, he, as heir apparent, and his father King Carlos 1st were assassinated during the revolution at that time. Prince Luis Philipe
]Tom Sopwith, Harry Hawker & Fred Sigrist – Many people are aware of the Hawker Aircraft company and its predecessor the Sopwith Aircraft Co., both of which had been based at Canbury Gardens, Kingston upon Thames during the first half of the 20th century. Tom Sopwith and Harry Hawker were both members of TSC as was one of their principal designers Fred Sigrist. Fred presented the Sigrist Trophy to commemorate the safe arrival of the crew following a failed first air transatlantic crossing attempt in May 1919 (see Harry Hawker link). Tom Sopwith – Raymond Baxter Interview, Tom Sopwith and more, Harry Hawker, Fred Sigrist and his Trophy
Linton Hope – was a man of great talent. He was a yacht designer as well as designer of four of our Raters. He gained two Olympic firsts in a boat he designed called Scotia, was naval architect to the King of Belgium and designed a flying boat amongst other commissions. Linton Hope – His life
Beecher Moore – His obituary is well worth reading – Beecher Moore – Obituary . He is renowned for introducing the ‘bell rope’ or trapeze which he first trialled on the A Rater, Vagabond. His sailing career spanned all levels of craft from the America’s cup in 1934, with another TSC member Tom Sopwith in Tom’s J Class yacht Endeavour, through to championship wins in at least four different dinghy classes. He declined an invitation to represent Britain in the Olympics Star sail-boat class as he wished to retain his US citizenship. He was also a committee member with the RYA and the International Yacht Racing Union. As well as being a restaurateur, he was the marketing brains behind Jack Holt and the Holt boat building business. On the right he is sailing Vagabond, ‘bell rope’ in use. Beecher Moore’s Musings ….
Sidney Leman – It is quite possible that TSC would not exist without Sidney. During the war it is said that without his efforts to ‘keep things together’ TSC would have folded. Whilst the post war membership appreciated all that he did the membership brought his term of office as Commodore to an end after 15 years in 1964. However, in recognition of services rendered a new role was found, that being President. This change brought in a new rule which stated that no Flag Officer could stay in post for more than three years. However, this changed in 2019 when it was agreed that Flag Officers could stay in post for six years; thus enabling those in post to oversee the funding and implementation of TSC’s biggest redevelopment of all time. (more below)
Eric Willis – Whereas Linton Hope designed boats and Beecher Moore developed them Eric both built and developed them. He produced the first Fibreglass Moth at his boatyard in Kingston in which he sailed and won the Nationals, sold it and it continued to win for several more seasons. He was instrumental in the development of the Merlin Rocket. He was a regular sailor at TSC in his own built National 12 and also A Raters. He was also a notable off-shore sailor. A more detailed biography can be found at Eric Willis.
Ossie Stewart – Simon “Ossie” Stewart is a seasoned keelboat sailor and won a bronze medal in the Soling class at the 1992 Summer Olympics and the Dragon World Championship in 2014 both with internationally renowned skipper Laurie Smith. He has been a member of TSC since his youth and bought out the boat-building business Harts Boatyard next door to TSC. He acquired and completely refurbished the oldest Rater, Ulva, and also brought Caprice IV into his syndicate to renovate and sail. He was commissioned to renovated Carina in a similar style to Ulva. He continues to support sailing as both a professional yachtsman and amateur sailor. (2020)
Dennis Peters – No review should be complete without Dennis Peters. He was an active member of TSC for 74 years, apart from his war service, and was generous, a gentleman, and sportsman. He was a popular member and always had a ready smile and, when the occasion arose, some ditty or poem to entertain. His widow, Veronica Thane Peters, presented a magnificent trophy of a galleon in his memory which is sailed for annually. For more see:- Dennis Peters – His Poems and other recollections
Neither would it be right to miss out a special mention of Sally Reed. Sally believed that TSC should establish a training centre and over a period of years, during the 1990’s, persuaded the club’s management to establish a training programme based upon the RYA’s syllabus and standards.
Over time, this has become a key part of TSC’s annual programme and through its two and five day courses has become the principal means of introducing many people to sailing and becoming active members of our club. Her efforts were suitably recognised when she was awarded the prestigious ‘RYA Community Lifetime Commitment Award’ in Nov 2007 by the Princess Royal. TSC owes her much. (Sally’s citation and picture with Princess Ann – Sally Reed, Citation & Award )
The Dunn family – As a family the Dunns are worthy of mention in that Frank Dunn was Commodore from 1975 to 1977, eldest son Stephen was Commodore during 1995 and 1996 and played a significant role in securing the freehold of TSC from Thames Water as well as supporting the club as a committee member in many roles. Younger son Justin was Commodore from 2004 to 2006 and has been involved with the management committee for very many years as a member, Officer and Bar Secretary and a number of other roles within the club.
Richard Winter – Richard joined TSC in his own right as a Junior member in 1952 and as at 2022 he is the longest serving member in his own right but both Alanda Whitehead (née Bentley) and John Bentley have been members from birth. During his active time at TSC he sailed a Solo, Merlin Rocket and Rater. He did much to support the club. He is worthy of note, in particular, because in 1995 he was awarded the prestigious RYA Yachtsman’s Award which is the highest award, bar one which is seldom presented. For citation and more see Richard Winter Award . In addition he has sailed an Olympic Monotype The Olympic Monotype Class 1935 aka the O-Jolle and is, one suspects one of the very few in the UK that has. In addition he is one of the few that witnessed the A bomb being exploded in the Christmas Isles.
Peter Cowie – achieved an unusual feat. His initiatives and significant efforts 
resulted in the founding the Queen Mary Sailing Club. Peter and his brother David were members of Thames in the 50’s and 60’s. A most interesting account of how this all came about may be seen here Queen Mary SC History
Dick Offer – Dick has a modest claim of note. For us his interest is that he was the son of Vera Offer (née Burgoine) who was the daughter of Alfred Bergoine, the boatbuilder based in Hampton Wick that not only designed but built some of our Raters including Viva (no. 10) which Dick co-owned and sailed with my father Bob Hoskins. He was also a notable rower with many firsts to his name achieved in the 1930s and a Silver at the 1936 British Empire Games. (see Dick Offer – Wikipedia Record)
Dave McCormick – Dave is included to add some humour. He was only a member for a few years somewhere around 2010 -2012. He was a man who seemed to enjoy life and had the bon homie that one may find in many an enterprising New Zealander. His contribution was that of the Merlin Trophy 
(see left) which he deigned and built within a week. Just in time for the regatta that was about to take place. The wood has been recycled from a boat in for repair. His skills came from his time in the New Zealand navy where he learnt most of the trade skills that enabled him to become a worthy boatbuilder. This was exemplified when he agreed to restore the transom/ hull of a boat for a third party. However, the third party did not pay for the work so Dave got out his chainsaw and cut the transom off!
Would TSC have survived without them? It is clear that at any one time there are one or two members who put in an exceptional amount of work behind the scenes and usually get little recognition or thanks for their efforts. However, there are many others who also contribute much and as with most voluntary organisations it is from the support of the few that the many can enjoy the facilities. This is but a small tribute to the few who give both time and resources on our behalf.
Other points of interest
One has to include this image which, to some, may seem beyond belief. According to this Ordnance Survey map (left) of 1867, just three years before our founding, there was an island upstream of Ravens Ait and opposite what was soon to be our club site. What is interesting is that by 1898 (right) the little island upstream of Ravens Ait has gone but Ravens Ait itself has been enlarged upstream.
The earliest record of the Island dates back to 930AD when it was noted that Flax was grown thereon. Ravens Ait & Messenger Island.
Our premises are, indirectly, due to the poor water quality of London. In the 1800’s water was taken from and waste water returned to the river. With the growth of London this, in effect, became a sewer. The Lambeth Water Co. received parliamentary permission to build a water treatment plant at Seething Wells close by. The Chelsea Water Co., a little later, took the land adjacent to the river. The sand filter beds were the first of that type to be used in the country and the spoil from the reservoirs was spread along the river bank to form what is now the Queen’s promenade. The bit left over was heaped up and is now used as our car park.
The early clubhouse can be seen on the right with, probably, B Raters moored to buoys. It may be noted that the bar extension had not yet been built. Talking of the bar, TSC was a gentleman’s club and as such the fairer sex was tolerated as guests, then admitted as members some time later.
Two other pictures of yesteryear may be of interest. The first, possibly from the 1893 ‘big freeze’ shows the Thames frozen over and by contrast the picture on the right, probably from the 1920’s, shows the river on regatta day. One may just be able to see a gondola. And where have the Raters gone? None appear to be moored off the hard.
In common with clubs around the country it would seem that our heyday was in the 1950s. For TSC, in those days, sailing was on a Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon. Starts would be for three or four classes with six to eight Raters crossing the line followed by eight to twelve Merlins, four to six National 12’s and four to eight Cadets on a Saturday. In the seventies membership levels dropped, as did the numbers of Merlins, Nationals and Cadets, and a change to Sunday morning sailing proved popular with the one man Solos (first appearing in the mid/ late 60’s), designed by Jack Holt, being sailed as well as a mixed handicap fleet; and of course the A Raters. The fleets continued to fluctuate in their popularity; sometimes the Rater fleet being most active and at others the smaller craft. Change is constant and in the 2000’s the dwindled Merlin fleet became more numerous thanks to the RYA training programme, started by Sally Reed. From this we had an increase of lady members who were active sailors and boat owners. The efforts and encouragement of members such as Martin Hunter who assisted many to buy their boats made a notable contribution. The National 12’s had long gone, the Solos dwindled to be replaced by a small fleet of Albacores (2005), Lasers and Toppers for the Juniors.
As in the late 1800’s we still travel to regattas at other clubs. The Bourne End regatta, hosted by Upper Thames SC, in late May or early June sees most active Raters sailing as well as Merlins; and Toppers taking part in the Junior Bourne End regatta following the senior event.
Just for fun, having finished the Bourne End regatta, a number of Raters now trail up to the Norfolk Broads and take part in the exciting and challenging Three Rivers Race. By contrast many of the Merlin Rockets get excited and take part in the Salcombe Week regatta in the wonderful Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary on the south Devon coast.
Raters and smaller craft continue to support support events organised by Tamesis Club near Teddington and Minima a mile or so downstream at Kingston. For much of our history we have had links with, at first, Thames Valley SC and then Hampton SC. With the latter regular contact was maintained into the 1950s and 60s but since then the mutual support has waned.
Getting to these events has changed over the years. It is understood that from the earliest of days boats were towed to sailing events at other clubs on the Thames. It is, perhaps, interesting to note in the picture on the left that the Raters have no masts on board. These would have been carried on the towing craft; thus making the towed boats much easier to handle in the locks and reducing the risk of damage. It has been recounted that one enterprising member had his Rater carted to Kingston Station, mounted on a railway wagon to be delivered to Bourne End or so the story goes. In the 1960’s it can be remembered that a powerful motor boat, Valentina, took six or seven Raters on two lines astern of which were a number of Merlins, a few Nationals and four or so Cadets. It was an amazing experience to be part of that convoy to Tamesis Club. Today, as one may expect, most Raters and dinghies are towed to venues but a few are still towed to Bourne End as well as Tamesis.
The Bourne End tow, as it is known, was, in the 1960s, a very convivial affair. On one trip the tow left at just after 8 am and as soon as the last boat, Estelle, had cast off the crew on board put his hand under the side counter and brought out his first bottle of beer from a crate full, to last the trip. Not forgetting, of course a stop at the Packhorse at Staines for a fluid adjustment break. Arrival at UTSC would usually be around 6.00pm.
If an opportunity arises to go on the trip to or from Bourne End by river it is a worthy and memorable experience. Another amusing anecdote is outlined by Beecher Moore (see Beecher Moore’s musings ) Paul Browning has also sailed to Bourne End in Osprey but not with such devastating incidents.
Cora. It has been a tradition that our principal safety boat be named Cora. It is uncertain as to how many Coras there have been but it is believed at least three. The left picture – with Richard Winter helming (in the centre), David Brunning (bow) and Nick Fawcett rescuing a National 12 – shows the post war Cora.
The right hand picture shows the new Cora in 1972 out on sea trials prior to being collected from Plymouth by Richard Winter. After 48 years, in 2020, Cora still retains strong support amongst members. (more info See Cora 1, 2 and 3 )
Our canon or carronade, as it should correctly be called, was dredged up from a spot in front of the hard around 2002. This now proudly stands at the entrance to our car park. It is thought to weigh around a ton. It was made by The Carron Company of Falkirk Scotland. Clive Wylam kindly made the carriage having studied the design at the Maritime Museum, Greenwich. It is thought that it was used as ballast before being dumped off what was to become our hard. (for more info see Wikipedia – Carronade)
The Early 1950s.
This picture is worthy of study. On the right one sees the original buildings of Harts Boatyard with upper and lower workspaces. To the left of that one sees the pre/ post WW2 Race Box with a ladder for access. This was replaced, together with new changing rooms, under the guidance of Norris Williams, probably in the mid to late 1950s. Note the few dinghies, mostly Merlin Rockets. To the left of the clubhouse it is interesting to see that the lower hard is, in fact, grass. Concrete extended from the steps to the clubhouse to a narrow slipway at the right hand end of the boatshed and from there to the Harts Boatyard there was mainly wooden planking. In front of the grass one can see Valentina moored up, owned by Cedric Delaforce who was a non sailing member. Valentina was, for a time used as a houseboat and was also used for tows to Tamesis and possibly Bourne End. As an aside it has been suggested that Cedric’s wife was, for a time, captain of England’s Hockey team. Oh, and why is the ‘bunting’ up. Could this have been for the China Bowl?
Links with other clubs
TSC has had links with many clubs over the years. According to Ingrid Holford, in her book ‘A Century of Sailing on the Thames’, in 1871 our Rear Commodore, a Mr Shadwell, sailed his 30 ton cutter Thalatta across the North Sea, through the Baltic and into St Petersburg. He thus became the first representative of an English club to fly a British flag, indeed the TSC flag, a non tidal club at that, into the St Petersburg Yacht Club!
From then on many other clubs have been visited and flags exchanged as those in the bar show. It is clear that in the early days clubs and races were visited from Oxford to Teddington, on the tidal Thames, and today Upper Thames SC at Bourne End, Tamisis Club near Teddington and Minima remain regular appointments on the sailing calendar (2020).
Our links with Minima are interesting. It may be noted that TSC hosted Minima Yacht Club during the Second World War. Their club premises, near Kingston Bridge, had been taken over by the War Department to enable the testing of a new type of rescue craft and training of boat use for flight crews. Meanwhile TSC was inactive due to the war and Minima came to an agreement with TSC that they may use our club’s facilities from 1942 to 1946. Plans had been discussed at some length to merge the two clubs but the proposals came to nought. Minima was founded on the South Coast with a branch opening at Kingston in 1896. Minima100 Years. Also, the tannery that was near Minima up to the late 50s has fortunately now gone. The smell was far from nice!
Among recent pennant exchanges is that with Antigua Yacht Club, in the Caribbean with an exchange of flags at TSC in 2013. This followed a visit by a TSC member who visited the Antigua YC and donated several cutters for their use.
Exchanging flags usually provides a short term link but exchange visits can develop longer term relationships. In the early days, the 1870’s there were few clubs to sail with. However in the 1880’s and onwards the growth of clubs was phenomenal.
The first nearby club, at Hampton, was Thames Valley SC (1876 to 1922). See also Thames Valley Sailing Club Hampton which should not be confused with Thames United SC – A Short History Thames United Sailing Club which was once the home of Vagabond and Scamp. See also an interesting early report from 1901 Thames United SC – Race Report 1901 again mentioning craft from TSC. See also an excellent Thames United SC regatta drawing dated 1887.
TSC spawned Tamesis Club – History in 1885 and a year after, Upper Thames SC – History was established. Soon there were clubs up and down the river and boats would travel between Oxford SC (no longer existing) and (Twickenham SC History)
Trent Valley SC near Nottingham may seem a little off the beaten track however, we had, for a number of years, an annual sailing match; which is how we came to have a trophy in the form of a kipper.
In the 1990s Gil Carter recalls that ‘As for other clubs I remember the reciprocal meetings we had with Arun and Seaview sailing clubs as great fun with the opportunity to sail other craft in strange waters.
In 2013 we were, perhaps, at our most adventurous. Following an invitation, some 5 Raters and 6 Merlins went to the I’lle de France Yacht Club and enjoyed two days of sailing on the Seine.
Talking of journeys, Stuart Gurney travelled by motorbike from his home in Lyme Regis and Justin Dunn cycled from Kingston; just for the weekend. For an excellent write up, by Martin Hughes, of the event see Isle de France Visit Jun 2013.
The etiquette of yesteryear and more ……
The etiquette of yesteryear is fading and the way our flags were intended to be used is being forgotten. According to the Rules “The Club Burgee shall have a white background with a dark blue cross and a red foul anchor in the centre of the cross. Flag Officers and past Commodores may fly swallow-tailed burgees, but in the upper canton next to the mast the Vice Commodore shall display one red ball, the Rear Commodore two red balls, and past Commodores a red X.” The same pennant design but in triangular form may be used by any member and is the one that should be used when exchanging flags with other clubs. The design of our flag needed approval to be used on the Thames; given here on the left. It is also registered at Lloyds (see below).
At our flagpole in the car park a triangular club flag should fly at the masthead unless the Commodore is on site in which case the club’s flag but with fish tail should fly. The Red Ensign always flies on the ‘gaff’ or short sloping arm and always has the Union Flag in the upper corner. (for full etiquette see Flag Etiquette as per the RYA )
Pennants showing Top L to R Tamesis, Teign Corinthian, TSC and Thames United. Bottom row L to R Thames Valley, Topsham, Torbay and Upper Thames SC. Their fees, Officers and formation dates are also shown.
Cap Badges are now a thing of the past but many a sailor of yesteryear would wear a dark blue peeked cap or white as a number one piece of headgear. In the Edwardian days boaters were in common use. However, one should know that on a cap, one may place an oval TSC badge but on a boater it should be round; just in case you might be thinking of acquiring either.
No history of TSC would be complete without mentioning the social side.
It has always been that Thames, as it is often called, knows how to throw a party. Our Victorian clubhouse, which has been completely rebuilt in the original style, is an ideal setting with its balcony overlooking the river. Indeed it is noted as a building of ‘special interest’ by the authorities.
However, in the early days we had no bar so events were generally held in nearby venues. The Annual report to the Committee in 1933 (worth reading) talks of a successful year ending with the Annual Dinner Dance being held at the Surbiton Assembly Rooms ‘when over 350 attended’. The report also talks of well attended suppers over the winter months.
Certainly since WW2, we have always attracted large numbers to our summer parties which have usually enjoyed live music and dancing in the cleared boat-shed with buffet and bar operating within the clubhouse; as well as a bar in the boat-shed! BBQ’s and other events have filled the social season. (Annual Report by the Hon Sec to committee. 1933 ).
TSC and the climate
The Thames has flooded on many occasions over the centuries, and at any time of the year. These are just a few reminders of nature’s power.
What is, perhaps, bizarre or maybe just Global Warming is that in the 1950s and 60s the wind predominantly blew from the South or South West. However, since the late 1990s through to recent times (2010s) the wind now seems to blow mainly from the North or North East. So in the earlier years we used to sail upstream to the Marina and beyond, to B buoy or even E, just below Boyle’s Farm Island, Thames Ditton. We now tend to sail downstream to D buoy which is laid past the island and opposite St Raphael’s RC Church; ‘which is regarded as one of the finest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture in the country.’
TSC is renowned for many things and its fickle winds are just one. With the tall trees on one side and high buildings and high water-works wall on the other the flow of wind can often be frustrating. Indeed on light-wind days one may find the wind in the mainsail at the top blowing from one side and at the bottom from the opposite direction!
TSC Traditions
The Black Ball – Up until July 2003 it was a requirement that all prospective members complete an application form and get two members to propose and second their application. Usually a committee member would have also met them to ensure that the applicant knew what was expected of members, including things like bar duty and race box/ rescue boat duty.
The content of the application form would be read out to the committee at the next committee meeting and any comment made. Then an enclosed box, with an opening for a hand, would be circulated and each member would put in a small ball, like a marble, but to one side which was divided from the other. If the ball was dropped to the left the vote was against admitting the member. Two black balls in the No vote side meant the application was turned down. It is understood that between 1870 and 2003 only one applicant had been rejected.
Commodore’s reception – Our club has enjoyed many traditions over the decades. A reception on Christmas Day being one. In the past the reception was given by the Commodore and the club was open to all. Those who came received a sherry upon entry. The event was strictly between 12.00 and 14.00 at which time all should go home for Christmas lunch. In the 2000s’s this changed to the Flag Officers reception and by 2014 the reception moved to some time before Christmas day.
Commodore’s Honorarium – It is unknown as to when it was started but certainly in the 1950s and 1960s the Commodore was paid and honorarium of £400 per annum. This was a reimbursement because it was common in those days that a commodore would buy drinks for visitors and possibly club members, as well as pay for the Commodores Christmas reception.
The tow – by river, up to Upper Thames SC at Bourne End near Marlow remains one of the nicest trips one can have on the Thames. However, in the past there would be six or eight Raters and even the odd Merlin was known to join the fun. Now, most Raters go by road and only one or two by river.
The tow to Tamesis Club for their regattas still attracts much interest and the fleet is mixed between towing and going by road. The Minima regattas are usually reasonably well attended and often Raters as well as dinghies attend.
Conviviality – Before the days of drink/drive and with sailing on a Saturday afternoon the bar would stay open for as long as members were present, often until the early hours. And then the members would usually drive home. It was seldom, if at all, that mishaps occurred! Conviviality was very much part of the post war era and probably stretched back to the early years. At a big luncheon or dinner, and particularly the Rater lunch, many toasts would be offered and sometimes the raconteurs within the party could be enticed to give a speech or tell a tale … or two, much to the pleasure and amusement of all concerned.
Regatta Days – In the 1950s and early 1960s regatta days were held in style. The flags were hoisted and the bunting flown making the flagpole in the car park a magnificent sight as well as giving the club a Naval air. Proper mini canon, with blank cartridges, were used to finish regatta races at TSC, Tamesis and during the UTSC regatta at Bourne End.
Teas on a Saturday afternoon – Up until the 1970s the club had a paid member of staff to run the kitchen which was an extension that has now been merged into the back of the dining room. Though a stable style door, teas were served and on the dining room side a long table would be laid out with an appetising array of sandwiches and cakes. This was a very welcome reception after a hard afternoon’s sailing.
Summer Ball – It is though that up until the Second World War most big social events may have been held at the Surbiton Assembly Rooms or other local function venues.
Laying Up Supper – was obviously a regular event and the invitation – Laying Up Regatta Invite 1935 – shows several interesting aspects. Note the start times and sequence. All races seem to start at an ‘odd’ time rather than say five past or quarter past etc. Also, note the classes. It would seem that the International 14s were established and the Thames Valley boats had not yet died out. Have you heard of an Olympic Monotype? The Olympic Monotype Class (1935) Indeed Richard Winter passed his naval training dinghy Competence Course sailing one during his National Service. (What was National Service all about? ). Could you believe we had a class for canoes; one assumes sailing canoes. Did you note where the ‘supper’ was being held? And something we didn’t do in the 2000’s and, now we are a charity, we are no longer required to do can be seen at the bottom of the front page of the invitation.
The Inconvenience – Winter social events were not always popular with the ladies. Being dressed up in their finery could be a problem when the river was in flood up to the boat-shed doors. Before the toilets in the clubhouse were added in 2005 and the river was in flood the ladies had to ‘wade’ through the water along the hard to the Ladies changing rooms. Eventually the male members of the Committee took this issue seriously and a portaloo was hired and located at the top of the steps for the ladies convenience. The gentlemen .…. well they used their initiative!
The TSC Bar – One of the most attractive aspects of our clubhouse is the bar which is festooned with the pennants of other clubs. The custom of exchanging pennants has become far less frequent and regrettably the nameplates under the flags do not necessarily represent the flags displayed above.
The bar has variously been manned by a paid member of staff and also a rota of members. Since drink and (don’t) drive was introduced in January 1966 the use of the bar has declined. However, it does still provide an enviable atmosphere, with its flags and shields, wooden walls and stained glass window.
The stained glass window must surely be described as magnificent. Regrettably, little is known of its origins but it has been suggested that it was commissioned to commemorate a member. It is understood that the window was rescued from the original club building; that is depicted in a little water colour of the club at the beginning of the twentieth century. The window was put in a case and back-lit, to great advantage, by Clive Wylam in the 1970’s when it was moved from the dining room to the bar.
There are two sizes of plaques within the clubhouse. The larger of these is a commemorative plaque presented by each Commodore after retirement. Some simply display their ‘house’ flag whereas others inject some humour. Of particular note is the plaque which is in the upper row and 5th from the right. This was presented by Steve Dunn and shows the logo of the Thames Water Company which has been split in two. This relates to the acquisition, by TSC, of the freehold to the club described above.
The smaller plaques in the Dining Room are those of members who wished to display their house flags as shown on their pennants. It is unknown as to when boats were given sail numbers as opposed to just using names. From the photos available it would seem to be some time after the first World War.
Club Developments
Over the years the club has evolved. At one time the clubhouse was completely rebuilt in the original style.
Sometime after the 1960’s the balcony railings were changed from wood to metal.
The slipway has been widened twice. The original slipway was wide enough for a punt or small rowing boat. This was then widened to just larger than a Rater and around 2003 it was again widened and a grill footing installed to reduce the ‘slip’ in slipway.
1992 was a year of worry and turmoil. By chance a member saw an advertisement that showed a block of flats by the riverside. Upon second glance he realised that the site was none other than that of TSC. Having raised the alarm, it was discovered that our Lessor, Thames Water, had decided to put the plot up for sale and that at the end of our 100 year lease we would be evicted. A great fuss was raised including involving the national press and as many yachting personalities as possible, including the yachtsman and ex Prime Minister, Edward Heath, all of whom gave support for the option for TSC to buy the land as sitting tenants. With some cash from reserves and 78 members who bought TSC ‘bonds’ some £100,000 was raised and the freehold purchased. A plaque remains above the fireplace in the bar to commemorate those who bought bonds.
Autumn 2003 saw the completion of the flat-roofed extension which includes the new kitchen and toilets within the club for the first time. The dining room was extended back to include the area previously utilised by the kitchen. This was deemed to have cost £20,000 plus time, effort and internal fixtures and fittings probably being donated.
2004 saw a major new development. We had got our website up and running and the first evine circulated in Spring 2004. Oh what is an evine you may ask? As a means of communication with the membership during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s TSC produced a multi page colour magazine known as Grapevine. However, around 2003, the editor left and TSC’s access to free production of Grapevines disappeared. Nick Hoskins started the evine as an alternative and this ran for 4 or 5 years before fading out. During Commodore Palmer’s time a newsletter was restarted under the banner of ‘Commodores Musings’. The Grapevines and evines have proved to be a valuable source of TSC history but regrettably a hard copy file with all these contained therein has gone missing.
Around 2009 the Rules were changed such that the land assets should be separated out and, to avoid ‘carpet bagging’, only be available to pass on to another club or a charitable enterprise and no longer be an asset for distribution to club members in the event of the club’s demise.
There have been many discussions regarding the future of the club and in particular its buildings. Since 1972 a number of club house and/ or sail-shed and changing room redesigns have been drawn up and fallen by the wayside. The most adventurous of these may be said to be the proposals submitted in 2017 which were stimulated by a club Development Plan in 2013 (see TSC Development Plan 2012/3 ). The proposed new boat-shed design can be seen here TSC Clubhouse and Boat-shed Proposals in 2016. In 2020, the cost is estimated to be approximately £1 million.
On the 12th January 2020 TSC, in its 150th year, ceased to exist as a ‘members club’. It was agreed at an EGM that TSC should change from a members’ club to one of Charitable Incorporated Organisation status. Amongst other things this means that TSC should now accept new members as a matter of course whereas previously the General Committee would vote each applicant in. The land asset has been passed to the Incorporated entity and is now part of the Charity’s assets. The charitable status was chosen since it will enable the club to better support the development of the club and watersports activities on the river and so help to secure the club for the future.
Miscellaneous –
TSC has a twin. Should you be in Auckland, New Zealand you can visit Thames Sailing Club which is in the town called Thames some 70 miles SE of Auckland!
May Tree – In the Spring one can’t fail to notice the May tree in bloom as one comes down the steps from the car park. This is a commemorative tree for Rowland Boxall who was a member from 1974 until his death in 1986. He sailed a Solo. His wife Jean spent much time in the kitchen and gardening on behalf of members. Tony Penfold, Commodore planted this delightful tree on behalf of the General Committee and members as a token of respect and appreciation of Rowland and also for Jean for her background support of the club.
2020 and the club closes
For the first time since the Second World War TSC was forced to close. An outbreak of a virus known as Covid-19 had occurred on a worldwide scale and a rising death toll required the government to close down all unessential activity for a period. The first lockdown lasted from March to July after which sailing could take place but no indoor activities. A second lockdown was proscribed in September for a month. The periods of on/ off lockdowns continued in to 2021 and, unfortunately, restricted full membership attendance to greet our Special Visitor.
Special Visitor
On the 22nd of June we had the pleasure and honour of a visit by her Royal Highness Princess Anne, President of the Royal Yachting Association. Full details of her visit and pictures may be seen here
Princess Royal Visit June 2021 (write up & photos)
What a Race!
July 2023 saw the start of that year’s Fastnet race. A 700 mile trip for up over 300 craft. For two intrepid TSC sailors the following is their story.
TSC members take 700 mile Fastnet race by storm
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