THE ORIGIN OF THE YACHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20137, 24 December 1928, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE ORIGIN OF THE YACHT.

The modern conception of a yacht is " any craft of moderate measurement, which docs not trade or work for gain, but which is used exclusively for pleasure." Possibly our first link with yachting in the long past can be found a reference to Plutarch. Describing Cleopatra's visit to Antony up the Nile, he wrote thus: " She came up—in a vessel the stern whereof was gold, the sails of purple silk, the oars of silver, and which kept time to music. She placed herself under a rich canopy of cloth of gold, with beautiful boys about her, like cupids fanning her; and her .women representing the Nereids and Graces, leaned negligently on the sides and shrouds of the vessel, while t roups of virgins, richly dressed, marched on the oanks, which were covered with an infinite number of people gazing in wonder and admiration.'* In view of the foregoing it is fair to assume that the definition of a yacht dates back to Plutarch's days, but to come to more modern times it is recorded that about the year 1600 A.D. the Dutch called their first sailing vessels by the name " Jaghen " or " Jacht," from what is derived our English word " Yacht." One hundred and twenty years later we find the first reference to yachts. Yachting in our present-day form derives from a small collection of craft owned bv the conservative few members o" the original Cork Harbour Water Club, from which emerged the present Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest of its kind in the Empire. Following the formation of the Royal Cork Club other yacht clubs were established in various parts of England, Ireland and Scotland and elrowhere about the world. Auckland yachting dates as far back as September 18, 1840, when 11;t? first regatta was held. On that occasion the programme consisted of only three races —for trading vessels and Maori canoes—whereas now there are 39 events. Unlike to-day there were no crraceful yachts such as Ariki, lorangi, Rawene, Prize and many more, but the pioneers were quite content and ever happy to race their trading cutters, scows and schooners. As the years rolled by the modern yacht made her appearance and she has now displaced the trading vesesls. Among Auckland's old-time yachts were the 40 tonner Taniwha. Secret. Akarana, Laurel. Muritai, Volunteer, I'awere, Jessie Logan. Almost peculiar to Auckland is the mullet boat, a fine wholesome type of sailing craft, which has found great favour in the eyes of young yachtsmen. 'I hose centreboard boats are firmly established on the Waiternata. and are divided info three classes; N 20ft. L. 22ft.. and H. 26ft. They are not only fast, but seaworthy and cruise as far north as hangaroa and as far south as Tauranga. The mullet boat oricinallv derived its name from fishermen, who were the first to introduce it as a suitable type of boat for fishing. An attempt has often been made to chop the term " mullet boat " and substitute " tuck-stern centreboard yachts." but so far the promoters of the movement, have not succeeded in their object. Probably they never will.