HOME OF YACHTING

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 14

HOME OF YACHTING

SIDELIGHTS ON COWES AN AMERICAN REBUFFED MAN “ GOES FOR ” THE KAISER. Yacht racing may be one of the most expensive branches of British sport, but it nas a hig following of pooplo who “ merely look on,” writes Mr C. Hedley Hervey, noted London journalist. Indeed, to the majority of those who dwell within comparatively easy access of the beautiful Isle of Wight, Cowes Week is of far greater importance than a test match between England and Australia. . To the layman it is difficult to understand the reason for the excitement which prevails at Cowes, for sometimes, when there is no wind, it is impossble to tell that there is a race being sailed, even after the “ boom ” of the starting gun has proclaimed “they’re off.’’ However, year after year—and this has gone on for over • a century—the small township at the back of the marine parade which commands the grandest seascape in England i» gay and intensely alive. London society winds up its season, with Cowes Week, and celebrities are to be seen at close quarters.

WHEN KING GEORGE ARRIVES. Perhaps that is the especially when the fashionable world is further enlarged in importance by the presence of half a dozen kings and princes, who may rub shoulders or even talk with you in this sleepy old place with its narrow and tortuous streets. When King George arrives in the Victoria and Albert he is escorted by paval destroyers, which remain outside the harbour, with a giant battleship, until His Majesty’s holiday is over, but there is no other pomp. Watch while out beloved King steps ashore to the welcome of his people—not a noisy cheering, but a little intimate clapping, 'and absolutely no, mobbing or crushing. And then come back with me a few years and you’ll have a unique experience. We enter a tobacconist shop in a crooked old street. As a matter of fact, it’s a crooked old shop, and there is not sufficient space for more,than about, three people in it. A foreigner is having some difficulty in obtaining what he wants, so he stands aside while we are being served. Eventually we all come out together, and then stand outside the shop discussing the weather and other topics. A ROYAL VICTORY.

“This is the last day of racing. I suppose you will then leave this beautiful island,” remarks the foreigner. “ No,” I say; “ I am due to play in a cricket match at Ventnor to-morrow.” “Cricket! Ah, how delightful!” exclaims the foreigner. “ I think I like your game of cricket. May I come clown to Ventnor to see you play? ” He shows his strong white teeth as he smilingly asks permission; it is easy to recognise the King of Spain. The next afternoon he and his Queen come to the cricket ..ground by motor car. drink tea out of big, chipped, earthenware cups, and remain for three hours ymtehing the game. The year before last I was watching Britannia, with the King aboard, cross the line and win her 200th prize. An American was standing next me. As he gazed through his marine glasses he asked: “Say, who’s the bearded guy by the wheel?” “ That ‘ bearded guy ’ happens to be our King !” I replied in icy tones. The American dropped his glasses and gasped: “ But if our President bad won a race all America would be yelling their heads off: your King can’t get much kick but of a few handclaps.” “Ah,” I remarked, “ but King George doesn’t want to get any ‘ kicks ’ out of yelling. You see, he’s not an Ainorican President, but the King of England.” WORLD’S MOST EXCLUSIVE GLUE.

That American wanted to rub shoulders with King George, and went to the Royal Yacht Squadron with a request that he should be made a member. But his reception there was not what he expected. This great club was formed by 40 noblemen and gentleiiicn nearly 120 years ago, and its subscription of a hundred guineas is by no means the only thing that limits its membership. It is the riiost exclusive club in the world.

Everything is done in a nautical manner at the Royal Yacht Squadron. But apart from the squadron'there is a great deal of ciitertaining at Cowes. King Edward invariably partook of the hospitality of the Baring family at Nubia House. When supper was served at the mansion, at the end of the day’s racing, a boatswain and two mates appeared in the inner hall whex-e the guests were assembled, and piped a shrill note, one of the mates shouting: “All hands i’oro and aft, both

sides and amidships, get your suppers 1” There followed a big meal served on the same lines as were customary on the lower deck of a warship; the “ ship’s company ” comprising King Edward, any other royalty who might be at Cowes, and the cream of English artistoeracy. They were a peace-loving lot of men who were born and have lived all their lives in Cowes, but it is on record that a loyal native once overheard a derogatory remark made by a foreign visitor about British yachts and British sportsmanship. In a moment the local man’s coat came off, and the visitor was invited to defend himself. The affair was hushed up, because the offender was William, Emperor of Germany. £I,OOO A YEAR FOR SAILS. Yacht racing, as it is done at Cowes, is essentially a rich man’s hobby. To begin with, a boat of the biggest size will cost £25,000 to build, while the maintenance of her sails alone represents £I,OOO a year; they are cut from the finest Egyptian cotton and require to be renewed about every three years. Wages for the crew—numbering some 22—for the Cowes season alone, mean another £IOO or so. And most of the owners of these wonderful sailing vessels also own steam or motor yachts, which represent an expenditure of from £IO,OOO to £20,000 a vear, according to their size and the owner’s ideas on entertaining. For everything is.done on the most lavishscale on board these floating mansions; many of them even have a separate bathroom for each state room. On shore Cowes Week is a time of harvest for the townsfolk, who know that, given fine weather, there will he a tremendous rush of visitors, anxious to pay almost anything for accommodation. For one week Cowes is the centre of the world of fashion—and the people of Cowes rejoice I