Suva's Flourishing Yacht Club
p. 16 · Read in the full issue
NUKULAU ISLAND, a pleasure resort nine miles from Suva, was the scene of the official opening of the 16th year of active sailing of the Suva Yacht Club on Sunday, February 23.
The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. D. A. Butler, local manager of the Union Steamship Co., and a former Commodore of the Club, who was intro duced to the members and their friends by Commander J. P. Mullins, the present Commodore. Approximately 600 visitors arrived at the island by launches, cutters and Air Force barges.
After the official opening, the first race of the day was sailed and the yachts made a pretty showing as they crossed the starting line on the first leg of the race with sails full and spinnakers flying.
During the events, the Vice-Patrons of the Club were entertained by the com mittee members and an excellent lun cheon was provided by the ladies’ com mittee. A very pleasant day was brought to a close as the yachts sailed for home late in the afternoon, arriving back at the clubhouse at sunset.
An interesting addition to the fleet, on this day, was the American yawl “Alone,” owned and sailed by Mr. F. Agnew, of Los Angeles, who is spending a few weeks in Suva in the course of a world cruise, accompanied by Mr. J. Wulf, of Apia, Samoa.
The Suva Yacht Club was founded on October 7, 1932, and is now a flourishing sporting club with a membership ap proaching 300, and a register of yachts numbering 26, ranging in size from 10 to 45 feet. The Flag Officers of the Club in its first year were: Mr. T. Maceuire, Commodore: Mr. E. McGowan, Vice- Commodore; and Mr. F. Reay, Rear- Commodore : and during that year one race was sailed every three weeks.
The original site of the Club was on the beach behind the Bank of New South Wales. Here a small slipway was laid down and the boats were hauled up above the level of the tide for maintenance.
There were no clubrooms available, and this state of affairs continued until early in 1937, when the Yacht Club was able to obtain an annual tenancy of its pre sent site, which is situated on the fore shore close to the King’s Wharf. The
Club was able to obtain this land through the untiring efforts of the Commodore of that time, Mr. W. E. Hancock and the Governor (and Club’s patron) Sir Arthur Richards. The building of the clubhouse on the new site commenced in September, 1937, and by December, 1937, it was completed. The boat racks and slipways were added within a few months.
During its existence the Club’s Bugee has been carried on three occasions to New Zealand, twice on the yawl “Sea farer,” built and owned by members of the Suva Yacht Club, and once on the yacht “Cimba”; and also to Tonga on the “Seafarer.”
Life membership has been conferred on only four members: Sir Arthur Richards, K.C.M.G.; Mr. W. E. Hancock (Commo dore from 1935 to 1938); Mr. A. Bentley (who has held office in the Club since its inception) and Mr. H. Sabben (a life long friend to the Club).
The Club is looking forward to a very active season, 43 races being scheduled for the year, including a cruising regatta to Levuka. 60 miles from Suva.