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.
For more information about the founding history of the Royal Artillery Yacht Club, reading “The First Fifty Years” .
Founded in 1933, the Royal Artillery Yacht Club in a non-profit making organisation that aims to promote the joy of sailing and seamanship for all our members, of all ages and abilities.
