Description
With 22 signed watercolours by William G Miller dated 1887, numerous signatures, including members of the Coats family; c. 1887, oblong folio (c.35 x 16cm.), blue morocco gilt by Maclehose of Glasgow, lettered 'Yacht Thistle' on upper cover, gilt edges; in rectangular oak case with white metal plaque engraved Yacht 'Thistle' (2)
Footnote
Note:
The Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club, created by the merger of two clubs, the Northern and the Clyde Model Yacht, traces its roots back to 1824.
The royal charter granted in 1830 to the Northern is believed to have been the first received by any British yacht club, with the Clyde Model Yacht Club, inaugurated in 1856, receiving its own royal charter in 1863.
In 1886 the Royal Northern's yacht Galatea competed in the Americas Cup and the following year the vessel Thistle, from the Royal Clyde, did the same.
The transatlantic record was set in 1905 by Atlantic, skippered by the renowned yachtsman Charlie Barr and this remained unbeaten for almost a hundred years.
The Royal Northern was originally based in Rothesay, before moving to the current clubhouse in Rhu in 1937. The Royal Clyde moved from its own premises at Hunters Quay in the 1950s and was also based at Rhu when the two clubs merged in 1978 to form the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club.
The Club has always maintained a strong tradition of fierce competition and success in yacht racing. When the first London Olympics were held in 1908 the yachting medal was won by the yacht Hera of The Royal Caledonian.
The Club has always been renowned for the quality of the art on its clubhouse walls.