Coronation Cup

2008 Coronation Cup race schedule:
AUGUST 16-17 2008 RKYC

It is the privilege of the Royal Kennebeccasis Yacht Club to host the Coronation Cup races in 2008. This will mark the second time in the 106 year history of the race, that the challenge will be held in the waters of the Kennebecasis River.

Indeed it was here in late June 1902 that the inaugural race took place , and yacht clubs responded to the challenge offered by our Commodore Robert Thomson.

The winner of that first regatta was the “Cibou” representing the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club. Designed by George Herrick Duggan of Seawanhaka fame, the Cibou handily beat our defender the Canada, and took the prestigious cup home with her. Thus began the Coronation Cup’s long journey between yacht clubs in Atlantic Canada.

We expect this year’s challenge to attract a large amount of interest and provide an exciting series of races as the J-35 sloop has been chosen as the yacht to compete. Please contact our club at RKYC1@nbnet.nb.ca for further information.

Click on the Cup for a list of the winners beginning in 1902

“Just as beauty in a woman creates allure and inspires affection, so it does in a boat. In a boat that beauty also rests in a rare combination of form and proportion.”

 These words, written by William Snaith in his book Across the Western Ocean, seem appropriate as we approach the beginning of a new season of boating activities. Spring is the time of year when Club members undertake ambitious maintenance and commissioning projects. The purpose of this work is more than primal in nature. It ensures that each member’s boat fulfills a personal definition of beauty. The boatyard is filled with the sounds of sanders, laughter and voices directing dozens of different work assignments. In an earlier time the senses would have detected the sounds of caulking hammers combined with the smell of oakum and pine tar. The application of wax, varnish and paint anticipates the launch of our fleet in mid-May and the commencement of the boating season. For most of us, it feels good to be working on the boat again knowing that the adventures of summer await our arrival.

These natural rhythms are part of the history of the R.K.Y.C. As one of the oldest yacht clubs in Canada we have repeatedly found inspiration in the achievements of earlier generations of our membership. These men and women from an earlier time share with us a love of boats and a passion for this place. It has often been said, that the St. John River and its tributaries are among the most beautiful rivers in North America.

The story of the sailing yacht CANADA and her endeavours to defend the famous Coronation Cup are illustrative of the inspiration that we derive from the past. In March of 1902, Commodore Robert Thomson placed the Coronation Cup into competition. His vision was patriotic and ambitious. In an age dominated by Queen Victoria and British Imperialism it seemed only natural that the recognition of King Edward VII’s Coronation in June of that year should serve as a reason to encourage friendly competition among sailing yachts. Commodore Thomson believed that the Coronation Cup should be preserved as a perpetual challenge cup. Edward VII’s Coronation symbolized the ending of the Victorian Age and the transition to the 20 th century. The optimism of that time resonates in the present era. Our Clubhouse and many of the traditions that we honour today were established in that time. Commodore Thomson’s gift was generous. The Coronation Cup is an impressive trophy. It was produced by the Meriden Company of Connecticut at a cost of seventy-five dollars. It is a massive, two (2) foot tall, sterling silver cup that is lined with gold and mounted on an ebony base. Engraving on the Coronation Cup illustrates two silver yachts sailing over a silver sea with the buoy in sight.

Competition for this prestigious trophy was spirited and intense. Much has been written about the first series of races for the trophy. Most of the articles chronicle the adventures of the yacht CANADA and her crew, as they sought to fulfill Commodore Thomson’s vision. The CANADA was built in 1897 by William Heans for his son. As partners in 1898, Fred S. Heans, Howard E. Holder and Howard Camp combined their resources in the yacht CANADA and sailed this beautiful yacht into history. We can all take pride in what the sailing yacht CANADA symbolized. She represented our “coming of age” as a yacht Club and a nation.

As we embark on a new sailing season perhaps William Snaith’s vision will help us all to better appreciate the beauty of yachts.

“In this case …it is the shape and relationship of her bow to her transom; in the spring of her sheer; the height and rake of her spars; and in the placement and size of her deckhouses.”

Doug Gould
Archivist

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Contact
Saint John, New Brunswick
1042 Millidge Ave
Tel: (506) 632-0186
E-mail:mailto:rkyc1@nbnet.nb.ca

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