The First Fifty Years
INTRODUCTION
This history is written in three parts:
The whole has been researched and edited by Colonel Harvey, who would like to thank many helpers. These include Brigadier Paddy Ryan and Colonel Peter Lowe who kindly acted as publishers; Lieutenant Colonel Peter Sweet the Club's Honorary Secretary, and the Editors of Gunner and the RA Journal who have provided a wealth of material from the past.
IN THE BEGINNING
Doctor Johnson in 1759 wrote: 'No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned.... A man in a jail has more room, better food and commonly better company. '
 What then inspired Major Ralph Blewitt and twenty six other officers to found the Royal Artillery Yacht Club fifty years ago? The author will not attempt to answer the question. Those who sail will know. Those who do not are unlikely to be convinced by even the most eloquent pen. Better to get afloat and see for themselves.
When the Club was formed in 1933 World War 2 was only six years away. In that time Gunner sailing made its mark on the Regiment. The RA Journal for the period makes good reading. 'The Regimental Yacht in 1938' by Lieutenant Colonel John Barry, tells of the forty seven Gunners who sailed in Rose at various times that year logging 4000 miles between twenty three different ports from Germany to Ireland. Captain Dick Scholfield's account of his attempt in 1936 to sail Gullmarn home from Singapore is fascinating. It is not surprising that thirty years later he became Admiral of the Club and then Race Director of the Sail Training Association. One is struck by his matter-of-fact approach to what at times must have been a hair-raising voyage. Gullmarn made the 4500 miles to Port Sudan in fifty four days', a bad leak had developed and her hull was found to be rotten, so there the attempt ended.
The progress of the Club over the next fifty years is now related.
|
