Sailing In Sydney

Sydney

The centenary of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and about 175 years of sailing in Sydney Harbour and “outside” is commemorated by the publication of “Sydney Sails”, a lavishly illustrated and glossy production.

Favoured by weather and one of the finest harbours in the world, small-boat sailing was a natural from the earliest days of settlement around Sydney Cove, but it was not until 1862 that 19 leading yachtsmen of the day got together to formally found what was first called the Royal Sydney Yacht Club (later the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron).

Although it flourished as an active organisation, the squadron had no home of its own for its first 40 years. But in 1902 it secured the lease of an old stone cottage, “Carabella”, on the waterfront at Kirnbilli—part of the valuable property that the club now owns.

And, as a fitting climax to the Squadron’s first 100 years, there was the building of Australia’s first international 12 metre yacht “Gretel”, and her challenge in 1962 for the America’s Cup.

The text of the commemorative volume was prepared for the Squadron by P. R. Stephensen who has gathered together an almost year by-year account of Sydney’s sailing activities and the yachts which took part. Of great interest to yachts men everywhere will be the extensive illustrations of the yachts from old drawings, paintings and photographs.

They provide a pictorial record of craft eVOlUtl ° n ° f the modern sai *ing (SYDNEY SAILS. Angus and Robertson Ltd. £3/3/-.)