Royal yacht squadron

The Yacht Club headquaters was founded on 1st June 1815 in the Thatched House Tavern in St. James in London, and was constructed on an ancient castle, which was built by Henry VIII. It was decided to keep the club as an elite group by insisting that gentlemen could only qualify to become members if they owned boating vessels over the weight of 10 tons. They were also granted a mast flag of a plain white burgee, and were commissioned to wear a plain white ensign. This was changed to red in 1821.The first Commodore of Yacht Club was the Earl of Yarborough, and in 1817, he welcomed the Prince Regent as an honorary member of the club. In 1820, when the Prince became King George IV, the club established its Royal connections by renaming it the Royal Yacht Club, and expanding its activities further by introducing racing for the annual regatta, which was named Cowes week, and is still in operation today. In 1833, King William IV decided to rename the club the Royal Yacht Squadron.

During the time of Nelson's naval reign at Trafalgar, the Royal Navy associated itself with the club. In 1829, members were commissioned to wear the Navy's White Ensign with a burgee, which is a triangular flag with a red cross and crown on a white background to prove membership. In 1851, the Squadron's race around the island was introduced by the club's Commodore, with a prize of ?100 for the winner. The America's Cup (based in New York) was then introduced, which would also take place on an annual basis. Spectators would include Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales, the Commodore of the club, and Edward VII.

The Squadron also became involved in the war, with the Deerhound RYS helplessly witnessing a battle between USS Kearsage and the cruise liner Alabama during the American Civil War. Another vessel to become embroiled in battle was the Gazelle RYS, who rescued the Empress Eugenie at the end of the French-Prussian war. The Squadron's real encounter with conflict was during the Crimean War where British soldiers made use of the Squadron yachts. One of America's Cup Challenger yachts was brought to Cowes in 1892. This gave the Prince of Wales the idea of building the Britannia, which made way for the famous Royal Yacht Britannia as we know it today. With the Patron of the Squadron being Elizabeth II, and the Admiral Prince Phillip, a pavilion designed by Thomas Croft was opened in the year 2000. The Royal Yacht Squadron still operates on a large scale today, beckoning people to remember its glory days, and vowing never to be forgotten.

the ghost of the Royal yacht squadron
This site is a maze for hauntings, with its dark shadows and paranormal activity. The apparition of a soldier wearing a tunic, breeches and long boots has been seen on numerous occasions. He carries his unusual-shaped hat under his arm, and revels in being seen and heard. The ancient building obviously holds a multitude of secrets and ghosts, and another known visitor of the supernatural kind enjoys opening doors to make his presence known. Could this be the ghost of the Marquis of Anglesey who died there in 1854, refusing to leave his final resting place?