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CICELY

 

 

-  Skipper Jesse Cranfield & Colne crew
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Cicely's owner Cecil Quentin was born at Newtown, Waterford City, Ireland in 1852. His family left for Gloucestershire around 1860.

A civil engineer by profession Quentin was also a company director and lived at Liphook in Hampshire. As a friend and one-time business partner of Cecil Rhodes, Quentin was, in his early days, one of the country’s most prominent financiers.

His strong interest in yachting led him to compete in the 1900 Paris Olympic Games. The yacht racing was held at Le Havre and although only four of the 14 entries started in the over 20 tons class British yachts took the first two places; the 153-ton Brynhild was first to the finishing line  but Cecil Quentin’s 96-ton Cicely won on time adjustment.

His other notable yachting achievements were winning a German Emperor's Cup in 1898 with Merrythought (Capt. Jesse Cranfield), and the successor to Cicely, also named Cicely, built in 1902, which had three successive victories over the German Emperor’s yacht, Meteor III.

In retirement he settled in Ramsgate and died in 1926 aged 73.

 

CICELY - Built 1902, Capt. Jesse Cranfield.

 

THE TIMES - Friday 23 May 1902 - YACHTING - "The schooner Cicely, built to order for Mr. Cecil Quentin, designed by Mr. W. Fife, was successfully launched from Messrs. Fay and Co.'s yard, Southampton, yesterday morning. She will be entered for the Heligoland Cup, and when in German waters she will meet the German Emperor's new schooner Meteor III, which is now fitting out at Southampton. The dimensions of the vessel are:- Length between perpendiculars, 113ft. 6in.; beam, 23ft. 4in.; depth, 12ft. 2in. Her yachting tonnage will work out at about 260 tons, with a load-water line of 90.2ft."

 

THE TIMES - Monday 23 June 1902 - YACHTING - "THE HELIGOLAND CUP - The fifth match from Dover to Heligoland for a cup presented by the German Emperor was started from Dover at noon on Saturday. The conditions of the race were somewhat different from those which have governed previous contests, the minimum tonnage being raised to 80 tons. This was done to assist the entries for the North Sea Cup, fixed to start on Friday last, but it failed in its purpose, as the smaller race fell through, not a single entry being received. Saturday's match was open to all cruising yachts of the required tonnage belonging to any Royal or recognized British yacht club which had been built in the United Kingdom and were owned by British subjects. The conditions were that the boats should sail under Yacht Racing Association rules, but should carry at least their cutter and dinghy; no paid hands to be carried beyond the ordinary crew, with the exception of a pilot. The handicap was a sealed one and was made by a sub-committee specially appointed for the duty. In 1897, the first year of the race, when the prize was the Jubilee Gold Cup, there were 13 starters out of 21 entries. Of the dozen boats entered in the second race, only seven crossed the starting-line, while in 1899 there were again 13 competitors out of a score of entries. In 1900 the entries were very poor, only 13 boats being nominated, but there were 11 starters. Last year, in consequence of the death of Queen Victoria, there was no race.

Probably owing to the Coronation festivities, the entries for this year's race were again poor, most owners preferring to remain in the Solent for the naval review. The entries were:- Columbine, Yawl, 81 tons, Mr. A.F. Fynn; Fiona, Cutter, 80 tons, Mr. H.M. Rait; Clutha, Yawl, 91 tons, Mr. Lorne C. Currie; Isola, Yawl, 91 tons, Messrs. Coomber and Spencer; Diasdale, Ketch, 91 tons, The Earl of Arran; Leander, Yawl, 93 tons, The Hon. Rupert Guinness; Vol-au-Vent, Yawl, 104 tons, Mr. J. Dempster; Cicely, Schooner, 261 tons, Mr. Cecil Quentin.

Of these, Fiona won the cup in 1900, but she did not start on Saturday, the race being left to three boats, Cicely, Leander, and Vol-au-Vent, the conditions of the match - three to start or no race - being thus barely complied with. Vol-au-Vent is the oldest of the boats which started, having been built by M.E. Ratsey to his own design at Cowes in 1875. Cicely, the big schooner which was at scratch, was sailing her first race, having been built this year at Fay's yard at Southampton from lines laid down by W. Fife, the designer of Shamrock I. Her owner, Mr. Cecil Quentin, has been over the course before, having won the cup at the second attempt in 1898 with the yawl Merrythought [Captained by Jesse Cranfield of Rowhedge], while he also competed in 1899 and 1900 with the yawl Cicely. Leander, the third starter, was built by Summers and Payne for the Hon. Rupert Guinness, and was the winner of the King's Cup at Cowes last August.

The course was the usual one from Dover across the North Sea to Heligoland, leaving all lightships on the Dutch and German coasts - namely, the Hinder (north and south), Maas, Toxel, Terschelling, and Borkum - on the starboard hand, and finishing on the south side of the island of Heligoland between the Saturn Buoy and a German warship anchored half-a-mile south of the buoy, thus leaving the warship on the starboard hand. There was a capital breeze from the south-west, giving promise of a fast-sailed race, when the starting-gun was fired, and all the boats carried full racing canvas. The big schooner was the first across after gunfire, closely followed by Leander, Vol-au-Vent being last. Right away from the start the new boat began to leave the two yawls, and when they were lost to sight from Dover Pier she had opened out a good lead.

On arrival at Heligoland the competitors will be towed through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal to Kiel to take part in the Baltic regattas, which begin to-morrow and will continue until July 9. At these regattas Cicely will have an opportunity of sailing against the German Emperor's new schooner Meteor III."

 

THE TIMES - Wednesday 25 June 1902 - YACHTING - "THE HELIGOLAND CUP - A Reuter telegram from Heligoland says that in the Dover to Heligoland yacht race for the Emperor's Cup, Mr. Cecil Quentin's large schooner Cicely arrived at 6.40 on Monday evening. At 7.9 Mr. Dempster's Vol-au-Vent arrived, and at 8.50 the yawl Leander came in. As Cicely was allowing Vol-au-Vent 5½ hours and Leander 3½ hours, the following was the result of the race:- Vol-au-Vent, 1; Leander, 2; Cicely, 3."

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 3 July 1902 - “KIEL WEEK - RACING ON THE BALTIC - FIRST DAY - The Kiel regattas opened on Thursday last week, in gloriously fine weather. The Emperor arrived early in the morning on board his steam yacht Hohenzollern. The regattas promise to be of exceptional interest.... SECOND DAY - The racing was continued on Friday under the flag of the Kaiserlicher Yacht Club. The weather was again beautifully fine, though there was not at any time of the day too much wind. There were 14 races on the programme, with a total of 77 entries. Chief interest was of course centred in the schooner race, as Meteor III, and Cicely were to meet for the first time. Meteor had already sailed in a race at Cuxhaven on Tuesday, coming home first, but losing on time allowance to Navahoe. Navahoe and Comet, ex Thistle, were entered with the schooners, but on the Emperor’s suggestion they were separated into two races, thus leaving the schooners a class to themselves. The Emperor and Empress sailed on Meteor. Early in the race the two new vessels singled each other out for a duel. The new Fife schooner is an undoubtedly fast boat, and turns to windward well. Meteor, of course, is a powerful boat, and on a reach will go away from the whole fleet, but this day there was not sufficient weight in the wind for her. Cicely, saved her time for the first prize by the narrow margin of eleven seconds. Clara lodged a protest against the winner for not carrying two anchors shackled on to chains at the bow, but the committee did not uphold it. Navahoe easily beat Comet. Details:- RACE for cruiser yachts over 21 units. First prize, Krupp Prize. Course, 30 miles.

Meteor - Rig; Schooner. Unit; ca.30. Owner; H.I.M. German Emperor

Iduna - Schooner, 28.5 (24’0), H.I.M. German Empress

Lasca - Schooner, 25 (21’5), Herrn G.W. von Brüning

Nordwest - Schooner, 25 (21’5), Herrn Jacob Hegel

Clara, Schooner, 25 (21’5), Herrn Max Guilleaume

Cicely, Schooner, ca.22, Herrn Cecil Quentin

The wind was light from the north when the starting gun was fired at 10.5. Meteor struck the line almost with gun-fire, Lasca under her lee. Cicely was next, with Clara on her weather quarter, then Iduna, with Nordwest to windward. Meteor and Cicely drew out ahead of the fleet, the Fife boat receiving a severe blanketing from her opponent. It was a dead beat out of the harbour, and Meteor began to open out a gap. Outside, in the bay, the wind was somewhat softer, but still dead ahead, and Cicely began to creep up on the leader, and after an hour’s sailing she was in the leading place, and in turn commenced to work out a lead. Some alterations took place in the positions of the others, and at the weather mark the times were:

Cicely 12.51.10; Meteor 12.52.35; Clara 12.53.35; Iduna 1.6.15; Lasca 1.6.55; Nordwest 1.11.5.

Balloon canvas was set for the free reach to the next mark, and Meteor soon began to draw up on Cicely and went right past her to windward. At the next mark Meteor was leading the Fife boat by 2 min. 40 sec. Clara being now 8 min. astern of Cicely. They gybed at the mark and made a broad starboard reach into the bay, spinnakers being set for the last two miles. The finish was:

Meteor (second) 3.4.0; Cicely (winner) 3.11.22; Clara 3.17.49; Iduna 3.32.7; Lasca 3.26.55; Nordwest 3.46.19.”

FOURTH DAY - The Norddeutscher Regatta Verein continued the regatta on Sunday, all the big yachts being engaged. The weather remained gloriously fine, and there was some promise of a better breeze which, however, was not fulfilled, and the schooners, and those doing the long course, did not get into the harbour again until the early hours of Monday morning. The Emperor again sailed on Meteor. The sailing committee decided at one time to shorten the course by sending the vessels home from the weather mark, but had no prearranged signal, and had to inform each competitor by sending a steam launch. Meteor did not wish the course shortened, and when Cicely rounded the mark she gybed, and set spinnaker for a home run, while Meteor merely bore round, and ran for the second mark. Cicely by this must have lost at least ten minutes, as she was leading before by about six minutes, and gave all that away, as well as making two gybes. Navahoe and Comet were put into the race with Orion-ex-Meteor II. The racing was interesting as long as the wind held at all in any force. In the light breezes Cicely, in turning to windward, is quite a match for the Emperor’s schooner, but Meteor probably wants to be seen in a breeze. The fine spell of weather with light fickle airs has not suited her at all. Cicely came home ahead of her, but for some hours there was little more than drifting. There were eleven entries on the programme with a large number of entries.

Details: RACE for cruiser yachts over 21 units. The start was at 11.35, the wind being then moderate from about north. All carried full light weather canvas. Lasca was first across the line, with Clara and Cicely close up, Clara in weather berth, Iduna next, with Nordwest on weather quarter, while Meteor, to get her wind clear, took the leeward end of the line. Cicely soon drew out from Clara’s lee, and Nordwest went up on the Soper craft. Outside, the wind was dead ahead and somewhat softer. Meteor drew clear ahead of the fleet, but Cicely came up on her weather in a light breeze, and slowly forged ahead. Meteor, as soon as clear, went about under Cicely’s stern and made a long board on port, and when she came about and met Cicely, the latter could not cross her. The wind improved a trifle for about an hour, but it was quite evident that there would be no true breeze, and the committee decided to send the vessels direct home from the weather mark, and instructed them by steam launch, with the result that Cicely, obeying instructions, lost several minutes as the course was ultimately completed. The times at the mark:

Cicely 3.23.40; Meteor 3.29.20; Clara 3.46.15; Lasca 3.55.40.

Iduna and Nordwest were not timed. Cicely gybed round and set spinnaker to port to come home, but Meteor bore round and ran with spinnaker to starboard for the next mark. Cicely gybed again, but had lost several minutes. The wind continued to soften and after rounding the second mark fell entirely away, with the exception of occasional light, baffling airs, and several changes took place in the relative positions of the yachts. Lasca had a big lift, Clara came ahead of Cicely, but the Fife boat again came to the front, and the final was: Cicely, winner; Lasca, second on time; Clara, third.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 10 July 1902 - “ECKERNFORDE TO KIEL - ... sailed on Wednesday... After sailing for about an hour, Cicely was showing signs of weakness, and it was decided to give up rather than risk gear...

FRIDAY, July 4 - Under the auspices of the Kaiserlicher Yacht Club and Norddeutscher Regatta-Verein, two associations combined, the long races from Kiel to Travemunde were sailed on Friday, the smaller craft being started as early as six o’clock. Early in the morning there appeared to be every prospect of there being a nice sailing breeze from westerly, but it was not fulfilled, and by midday it had almost entirely died away. The day was one of flukes, some of the competitors picking up faint streaks of wind which kept them travelling while others were becalmed. Meteor, Clara and Lasca at one time drew miles ahead of the rest, and then Cicely, which had been very badly served, got her turn of luck, though certainly not more than any of the others, and at half-past seven in the evening, so far as Meteor and the Fife boat were concerned, a new race, and a magnificent one, commenced in a 35 miles turn to windward up Lubecker Bay to the finish. Cicely gave a fine exhibition of her powers on a wind, and a sternly fought-out duel resulted in the British boat coming home over six minutes ahead of the Kaiser’s craft. The Emperor steered his vessel for several miles on the beat home. The line was very well marked at the finish by a search light being continuously flashed on the buoy forming the leeward mark. Details:

RACE for cruiser yachts over 21units. Course from Kiel to Travemunde, through Fehmarn Sound - 78 miles. Start at 8.10. Cicely (winner) 11h.23m.50s.; Meteor (second) 11h.29m.4s.; Clara (third) 12h.3m.42s., followed by Lasca and Nordwest.

SUNDAY, 6 July - A splendid breeze favoured fixtures under the auspices of the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein.... Cicely led round the course, and finished over 3min. ahead of Meteor, giving five wins to Cicely’s credit out of six starts.... and an extra prize for the Kiel race, so she flies six flags, a very fine record.”

 

THE LANCASHIRE DAILY POST - 8 July 1902 - “The following telegram has been received from Mr. Quentin, the owner of the Cicely, which beat the Kaiser’s Meteor in the race for the Emperor’s Cup at Kiel Regatta:- “The Cicely beat Meteor, 80 mile course, 30 miles to windward, on her merits, winning the Emperor’s Cup.”

 

THE DOVER EXPRESS - 11 July 1902 - “Mr. Cecil Quentin’s new schooner Cicely though not successful in the Dover to Heligoland race for the German Emperor’s Cup, did excellently in the opening races at Kiel, winning two matches in succession against the Emperor’s new Meteor, a triumph for English over American builders of schooners.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 17 July 1902 - “The Kiel and Baltic regattas which concluded last week at Warnemunde have been the most successful ever held since these fixtures were first instituted... This was likewise the most interesting class [schooners] to English yachtsmen owing to the fact that Mr. Cecil Quentin’s new Fife-designed schooner Cicely was a competitor. The British boat made an excellent record. She started six times, and won five first prizes, giving up once, on the race from Eckinforde to Kiel, owing to a weak crosstree. In addition to these, she won a special prize, so that she flies a string of six prize flags as the result of her German matches. She is a fine type of craft all round, and has all the comforts of a cruiser. She shows to best advantage amongst the other schooners when on a wind.”

 

THE TIMES - Friday 18 July 1902 - "THE ROYAL TEMPLE YACHT CLUB - In the fourth day's racing of the Royal Temple Yacht Club, held off Deal yesterday, the chief event was the race for yachts exceeding 50 tons. The first prize, Coronation trophy, of the value of £100, presented by the inhabitants of Deal and Walmer, was raced for by Cicely, Glory, Brynhild, Namara, Irex, Creole, Gwenyth. Creole won the first prize, Namara the second , and Brynhild the third."

ALSO - THE YACHTING WORLD - 24 July 1902 - “ROYAL TEMPLE YACHT CLUB - THE CORONATION REGATTA AT DEAL - The matches sailed at Deal under the auspices of the Royal Temple Yacht Club on Thursday proved highly successful in every aspect. Beautiful weather prevailed, and although the wind was light and sometimes fluky, it was always sufficient to make the races close and exciting. Details:

HANDICAP for yachts exceeding 50 tons Thames measurement; first prize, Coronation Trophy value £100..... Course, from Deal round the Goodwin Sands and back to Deal, the Gull, North Goodwin, East Goodwin, and South Goodwin. Entries: Cicely, Brynhild, Glory, Namara, Irex, Creole, Gwenyth... The start was at 10.30. The sea was perfectly smooth. They crossed the line in the following order: Gwenyth, Cicely, Creole, Brynhild, Namara, Irex, and Glory. As they headed for the Gull Lightship with a gentle quartering breeze and a strong fair tide, Namara and Creole passed Gwenyth and Cicely took the lead..... The gradually reached into a steady northerly breeze, and fetched the North Goodwin Lightship on the port tack with sheets just checked, as under: Creole 12.12.0; Cicely 12.12.20; Namara 12.15.35; Brynhild 12.17.20; Gwenyth 12.18.10; Irex 12.18.40; Glory.

Cicely, unfortunately, made a mistake in the course. The error put her out of the race, and naturally somewhat discounted the interest of the match... “ [Creole, winner]

 

THE TIMES - Monday 21 July 1902 - YACHTING - "ROYAL CINQUE PORTS YACHT CLUB - The principal event on Saturday in the second day's racing in connexion with the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club Regatta was the cross-Channel match from Dover to Boulogne and back. The entry was the largest that has been seen for years. Out of 16 vessels entered 13 sailed the course. These included four of the German yachts which raced from Heligoland to Dover. They were put in a class by themselves and given a £50 prize. Mr. Rait's old time cutter Fiona won the first prize in the race for the British boats, Mr. Paget's Namara taking the second prize.... The weather was fine, and though the breeze was very variable, going right round the compass during the race, a most successful and interesting day's sport was enjoyed. Details:- Namara, Yawl, 102 tons, W.B. Paget; Columbine, Yawl, 81 tons, A. Fynn; Erycina, Yawl, 96 tons, P. Lord; Bona, Yawl, 123 tons, P. Donaldson; Glory, Yawl, 206 tons, Sir H. Seymour King; Creole, Cutter, 84 tons, Col. Bagot; Tutty, Cutter, 75 tons, W. Connell; Gwenyth, Cutter, 84 tons, H. Garrett; Fiona, Cutter, 80 tons, H. Rait; Irex, Cutter, 88 tons, H. Margetti; Cicely, Schooner, 280 tons, Cecil Quentin; Clara, Schooner, 185 tons, Max Guilleaume; Brynhild, Yawl, 153 tons, Sir J. Pender.

Course from Dover to Boulogne and back to Dover. Distance 50 miles. The handicap was:- Cicely and Bona allow Brynhild 7min. 30sec.; Tutty 10min.; Clara 13min. 20sec.; Glory 23min. 20sec.; Namara 28min. 20sec.; Irex 29min. 10sec.; Creole 35min. 50sec.; Columbine 42min. 30sec.; Fiona 44min. 10sec.; Erycina 45min. 50sec.; and Gwenyth 55min. 50sec. Tutty, Glory, and Gwenyth did not start, and Clara competed with the German-owned yachts. The start was made at 10.5 a.m. in a light breeze from about north by east, all having jack-yard topsails aloft and booming out spinnakers as soon as they had crossed the line. They kept their big running sails hoisted for over two hours, when the breeze shifted. Namara was the first to round the French mark boat, followed by Bona ten minutes later, with Cicely quarter of an hour behind the leader. Soon after rounding the mark the breeze died away and the vessels were becalmed for about an hour. They eventually scudded home with a nice north-westerly breeze, the fleet all sailing in fairly close company presenting a splendid spectacle. The finishing times were:- Cicely 7h.43m.7s; Bona 7h.57m.13s; Brynhild 8h.3m.26s; Namara (second prize) 8h.7m.55s; Irex 8h.13m.45s; Fiona (winner) 8h.19m.2s; Columbine 8h.24m.47s; Creole 8h.25m.26s; Erycina 8h.37m.17s."

 

THE TIMES - Tuesday 22 July 1902 - YACHTING - "DOVER TO OSTEND RACE - There was a strong northerly wind yesterday morning when the yachts were started from Dover in the 70 miles race up the Channel and across the North Sea to Ostend. A fine spectacle was seen as the yachts got away in two groups. Unfortunately, in the match for the largest yachts, started at 7.15, the cutter Irex, 88 tons, came into collision with the German yawl Navahoe, 232 tons, in crossing the line, and the damage to the cutter was such that she was unable to continue in the race. No fewer than 26 yachts were entered in the race, which was sailed in two classes for the yachts of over 50 tons, with the first prize £40 and the second prize £12. The yachts in the race were Namara, Creole, Tutty, Columbine, Brynhild, Cicely, Irex, Bona, and the German yachts Clara, Susanne, Navahoe, and Comet. The last-named was the only non-starter. The others got away splendidly with full spread of canvas, the start being excellent, except for the mishap above mentioned.... A large party of English and Belgian yachtsmen accompanied the race on the Royal Belgian mail steamer Princess Henriette, which has now been fitted with a wireless telegraphic installation. A correspondent who accompanied the race wires that after clearing the Channel the wind veered to north-west and blew very strongly indeed, there being almost too much for the smaller class of yachts. The vessels cut through the sea at a great rate, the gunwales in the majority of cases being under water the greater portion of the time. Induna had her topmast carried away, and several of the craft which started in the second match had to give up. The race created a record for the Dover-Ostend course, Cicely being first at 1hr.19m.29s., Clara second at 1hr.42m.50s. The very strong wind exactly suited the sailing of the two big schooners... Cicely's record of just over six hours for this course is considered a fine performance, giving an average of nearly twelve miles an hour. Throughout, the correspondent adds, the sailing was of a highly interesting character. Three matches in the Ostend International Regatta will be sailed to-morrow, and the yachts which raced across yesterday have entered."

THE YACHTING WORLD - 24 July 1902 - “OSTEND INTERNATIONAL REGATTA - There was quite a change in the weather on Monday when the annual race from Dover to Ostend took place, as a cold wind brought heavy rain squalls from north-west to north-north-east, which blew throughout the day with a fresh wind which enabled the yachts to lie their course to the West Hinder and gave them a broad reach and a run for the eighteen odd miles from there to Ostend, and Cicely’s performance of covering the 70 miles in 5hr. 49min. 31sec. was a grand one, the more so as the wind was comparatively light at and for about an hour after the start. She certainly sailed a fine race, and those who doubted her reaching powers must have now altered their opinions. Navahoe also sailed well, but she never had a chance between Cicely and Clara, the latter being always within her time of the yawl, and up to and after rounding the West Hinder Cicely also, as she was only 10 min. 54sec. astern at the Lightship after sailing more than two thirds of the race. Brynhild and Bona sailed a good match together, in which the former, after shifting her topsail for a jib-header, passed Bona, but was repassed coming in from the West Hinder. There was too much wind and too much reaching for the cutters, but Creole went very well under the circumstances and Tutty finished only 8min. 41sec. out. The two yawls Namara and Columbine also had a close tussle, Mr. Paget’s vessel being only 27sec. ahead of the time she had to allow on the handicap. Unfortunately, Navahoe collided at the start with Clara and Irex, injuring the latter so seriously that she had to give up, thus losing a great chance of a prize. Protests were lodged against Navahoe, but as she took no prize there seems little object in protesting as the Y.R.A. rules stand at present .....

MATCH for yachts exceeding 50 Thames tons. First prize, 1,000fr; second, 300fr. Entries: Namara, 102, Mr. W.B. Paget; Columbine, 81, Mr. A.F. Fynn; Brynhild, 153, Sir James Pender; Bona, 123, Mr. P. Donaldson; Navahoe, 232, Consul G. Wätjen; Creole, 54, Colonel Villiers Bagot; Tutty, 75, Mr. W.C. Connell; Irex, 88, Mr. H. Marzetti; Susanne, 59, Herrn O. Huldschinsky; Cicely, 260, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Clara, 185, Mr. Max Guilleaume.

Course from Dover to Ostend, leaving the West Hinder Lightship on the starboard hand. Distance, 70 miles. The handicap was: Navahoe allows Cicely 2min. 20sec., Bona 3min. 30sec., Brynhild 10min. 30sec., Tutty 17min. 30sec., Clara 18min. 40sec., Namara 38min. 30sec., Irex 39min. 40sec., Creole 50min. 10sec., Columbine 58min. 20sec., and Susanne 60min. 40sec.

At 7.30 a fine start was made, the yachts getting away in a cluster; but, having to gybe round the flagboat, the smaller vessels had a little the best of it, and Creole got the best position. When crossing the line Navahoe fouled Clara and Irex, damaging the latter so much that she could not continue the race, and she returned flying a protest ensign. With jackyard topsails, balloon staysails, and jib-topsails set they  reached to the eastward with the wind just forward of the beam, but it gradually came round until they could only lie their course nicely. Cicely and Navahoe soon took a commanding lead with Clara third, Bona and Brynhild nearly beam and beam at the East Goodwin being next, the others following not very far apart. About 10 o’clock a heavy rain squall caused first Tutty and then Brynhild to get topsails down, setting jib-headers in about half an hour, during which time Brynhild, relieved of the top hamper, got ahead of Bona. Soon afterwards Navahoe shifted her jibheader, and no other change was made before rounding the West Hinder Lightship, which they did as follows:

Cicely 11.44.4; Navahoe 11.49.28; Clara 11.54.58; Brynhild 12.2.50; Bona 12.6.20; Namara 12.21.0; Tutty 12.30.10; Columbine 12.37.15; Susanne 12.44.10; Creole 12.46.0.

It was now a broad reach on port, all setting jibtopsails, the schooners having maintopmast staysails, and Tutty and Navahoe with jackyarders again. As they approached Ostend the wind freed them so much that spinnakers were set, Cicely doing so about three miles from the finish, the others doing so much sooner. All misjudged the strength of the east-going tide excepting Creole and Columbine, Tutty having to gybe shortly before finishing and again when crossing the line. With a lessening wind, which gave advantage to the leading vessels, a very fine race was timed at the finish:

Cicely (winner) 1.19.29; Navahoe 1.29.30; Clara (second) 1.42.50; Bona 2.0.55; Brynhild 2.5.3; Namara 2.17.55; Columbine 2.38.12; Tutty 2.41.35; Creole 2.50.16; Susanne 2.51.4.

Bona passed Brynhild and Creole passed Susanne on the way in from the Lightship.”

 

THE TIMES - Thursday 24 July 1902 - YACHTING - "INTERNATIONAL REGATTA AT OSTEND - Three matches were sailed off Ostend yesterday in the international yachting regatta in a fair breeze. In the match for yachts exceeding 50 tons - first prize £45, second prize £14 - there was an entry of 11. Namara, Creole, Tutty, Columbine, Brynhild, Cicely, Irex, and Bona represented English yachts, and Clara, Comet, and Navahoe German yachts. Irex and Comet were absentees. An exceedingly interesting match resulted as follows:- Navahoe, yawl (winner) 2h.19m.7s; Cicely, cutter (second) 2h.22m.30s."

 

THE SHIELDS DAILY GAZETTE - Tuesday 29 July 1902 - “A YACHTING RECORD - The yacht race sailed on Saturday from Ostend to Dover was remarkable from the fact that the record for this seventy miles course was lowered to the extent of nearly an hour. Herr Max Guilleaume’s schooner Clara covered the distance in five hours (11h.33m.15s)…. There was a very strong SSE wind when the yachts started, and they went off at a great pace. Cicely and some other English yachts started also, but not as competitors, and they came the shorter course inside the West Hinder Banks. When near the Goodwins the wind proved too much for the yacht Columbine. Her topmast went by the board, and she was put out of the race…. Cicely reached Dover at 11h.24m.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 31 July 1902 - “OSTEND INTERNATIONAL REGATTA - Wednesday 23 July  - The morning was dull and threatening, with heavy showers and a westerly wind, but just before the start the wind came round to about north-west and pleasant weather resulted. With the wind from this point the course was all reaching and running, which should have suited the schooners, but it was too light for them, and the big yawl Navahoe had a very easy win, the more so as the wind fell to nearly calm before one round of the course had been completed, and the yachts had to be stopped after sailing 21 miles only. With the exception of Irex, which was not at Ostend owing to the damage she received from Navahoe, all the entrants started, and a finer sight never was seen than when the nine big yachts crossed the line in a cluster. The race was a very plain one, being a reach to the Wandelaar light vessel, then a broad reach to the western mark and a dead run home. Not a single board was made all day, so that the cutters had but a poor chance of success. Navahoe’s lofty canvas served her well, but the wind pulling light towards the finish made her victory appear more hollow than it was in reality... HANDICAP for yachts exceeding 50 Thames tons. First prize 1,250fr; second, 350fr. Entries: Namara, 102, Mr. W.B. Paget; Columbine, 81, Mr. A.F. Fynn; Brynhild, 153, Sir James Pender, Bart.; Bona, 123, Mr. P. Donaldson; Navahoe, 232, Consul Watjen; Creole, 54, Colonel V. Bagot; Tutty, 75, Mr. W.C. Connell; Irex, 88, Mr. H. Marzetti; Cicely, 260, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Clara, 185, M. Max Guilleaume. Course, from Ostend round the Wandelaar lightship, thence round a flagboat moored westward of the Ostend Bank back to Ostend; distance 42 miles. Navahoe allowed Cicely 42sec.; Bona, 2min. 6sec.; Brynhild, 8min. 24sec.; Clara, 10min. 30sec.; Tutty, 11min. 54sec.; Namara, 22min. 24sec.; Irex, 23min. 6sec.; Creole, 30min. 6sec.; and Columbine, 35min. Irex did not start. At 10.25 the gun was fired, and in a light north-west wind a grand start was made, Tutty, Bona, Creole, and Brynhild leading, with Clara and Columbine last. All had jackyard topsails aloft, and with sheets a foot or two off they reached to the Wandelaar light vessel against a west-going tide. Navahoe, Cicely, Bona, Clara, Tutty, Brynhild, Namara, Columbine, and Creole. It was now a free reach to the western mark-boat, Cicely gaining very slightly on Navahoe, and as they bore away round the flagboat the leading vessels were timed: Navahoe 1h.30m.55s; Cicely 1h.33m.10s; Bona 1h.36m.50s; Clara 1h.42m.45s; Tutty 1h.50m.0s.

Spinnakers were boomed out to starboard by all excepting Namara, which tried hers to port, and had to gybe over and reset her spinnaker to starboard. With the wind falling very light they ran very slowly to Ostend, Navahoe lengthening her lead, and Clara got her spinnaker and topsail in before finishing. Navahoe made a terribly long turn before gybing at the mark-boat, losing between two and three minutes; but she had plenty in hand, and, being stopped at the end of the first round, they were timed: Navahoe (winner) 2h.19m.7s; Cicely (second) 2h.22m.50s; Bona 2h.26m.7s; Brynhild 2h.40m.40s; Clara 2h.41m.45s; Tutty 2h.45m.46s; Namara 2h.58m.6s; Creole 3h.5m.13s; Columbine 3h.13m.48s..... The protests of Clara and Irex [see previous article] against Navahoe were decided in their favour, but of course they could not alter the distribution of the prizes.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 31 July 1902 - “OSTEND INTERNATIONAL REGATTA - Friday 25 July - “There was quite a smart sailing breeze from about west in the morning on Friday, which promised a good day’s racing, but unfortunately, soon after the start, at eleven o’clock, it began to come round with the sun, and gradually became lighter until after the arrival, at the end of the first round, of the leading yachts. Foreseeing what was going to happen, the committee very prudently stopped the yachts at the end of the first round - a proceeding which caused some dissatisfaction at the time, but the wisdom of which was soon proved by the wind falling to such a flat calm that the smaller vessels did not finish until after half-past seven in the evening. Navahoe and Bona sailed a fine race,   which Bona might have won if the wind had held, as Navahoe, although well ahead in time, was a very short distance in front at the finish. With a strong tide against them on the two first sides of the triangular course, the smaller vessels never had a chance, and the long turn to wind from the Wandelaar lightship to the western mark proved fatal to the two schooners.... The prizes were presented in the Société Literaire in the evening, where quite a large party of ladies and gentlemen assembled, and one of the most, if not quite the most, successful regattas ever held at Ostend came to a happy conclusion. Details: HANDICAP for yachts exceeding 50 Thames tons. First prize the Town Cup, 2,500fr; second, 450fr. Entries: Namara, 102, Mr. W.B. Paget; Columbine, 81, Mr. A.F. Fynn; Brynhild, 153, Sir James Pender; Bona, 123, Mr. P. Donaldson; Navahoe, 232, Consul G. Watjen; Creole, 54, Colonel V. Bagot; Tutty, 75, Mr. W.C. Connell; Irex, 88, Mr. H. Marzetti; Cicely, 260, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Clara, 185, M. Max Guilleaume. Course, from Dover round the Wandelaar light vessel, thence round a flagboat moored westward of the Ostend bank, back to Ostend. Twice round. Distance, 42 miles. Navahoe allowed Cicely 3min. 30sec.; Bona 7min.; Brynhild 15min. 24sec.; Clara 17min. 30sec.; Tutty 20min. 18sec.; Namara 30min. 48sec.; Irex 31min. 30sec.; Creole 38min. 30sec., and Columbine 43min. 24sec. Irex did not start. With the wind about west a magnificent start was made at 11 o’clock, Brynhild and Bona crossing the line first with Tutty last, but all very close together. All carried jackyard topsails  and spinnakers were boomed out to port, Navahoe and Cicely soon after the start setting bowsprit spinnakers and the two schooners having maintopmast staysails, also, showing a perfect cloud of canvas. Brynhild with a clear course to windward took the lead, Navahoe and Cicely being next, with Namara, Columbine, and Creole last. The tide was running strong against them, which delayed them considerably, and it took them an hour and twenty minutes to cover the 8½ miles to the Wandelaar. Brynhild kept rather too much to windward, which let Navahoe and Cicely pass her, and they luffed up round the lightship thus:

Navahoe 12h.20m.0s; Cicely 12h.20m.42s; Brynhild 12h.21m.4s; Bona 12h.21m.52s; Clara 12h.22m.39s; Tutty 12h.23m.21s; Namara 12h.23m.40s; Columbine 12h.25m.0s; Creole 12h.26m.2s.

It was now a turn to windward, to the western mark, working foresails being set, and, with the remains of the tide in their favour, they made good progress for about half an hour, when the tide turned, and they had it dead ahead again. Tutty was the first to come about on to starboard, and, after a board had been made, they all stood over to the Ostend shore, before tacking with the wind falling light, and a great many boards had to be made to weather the western mark, during which Navahoe left Cicely and Brynhild very fast, and Bona took second place, doing very well with Navahoe so long as there was any wind, and Tutty also did very well. As they bore up round the western mark-boat the times were as follows: Navahoe 2h.0m.4s; Bona 2h.2m.50s; Tutty 2h.14m.45s; Brynhild 2h.16m.30s; Cicely 2h.29m.0s; Clara 2h.35m.9s; Creole 2h.47m.0s; Columbine 2h.47m.10s.

It was a broad reach, but with the wind very light they made slow progress, the tide sweeping them fast to the eastward, and although the wind lasted long enough to enable the leading vessels to finish, the others were practically becalmed, and the timing at the finish was: Navahoe (winner) 2h.30m.34s; Bona (second) 2h.35m.9s; Tutty 2h.53m.21s; Brynhild 2h.57m.47s; Cicely 3h.9m.51s; Clara 3h.42m.40s; Namara 3h.55m 5s; Creole 4h.10m.3s. Columbine gave up.”

 

THE TIMES - Monday 28 July 1902 - YACHTING - "OSTEND TO DOVER MATCHES - The annual handicaps from Ostend to Dover under the auspices of the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club took place on Saturday. Two events, one for yachts over 50 tons and the other for boats under that measurement, were included in the programme. Both were handicap sweepstakes with money added by the club. Of the 21 yachts which entered in the Dover to Ostend matches, only nine took part in Saturday's events. An early start was made from Ostend, and, favoured with a capital southerly breeze which took the boats reaching the whole course, a very fast journey was made. The schooner Clara, which was handicapped to receive over 22min. from Bona, was the first home and proved an easy winner. In the small handicap there were three starters, Inyoni, the limit boat, saving her time and taking the prize. Mr. Cecil Quentin's new schooner Cicely started with the big class, although not entered in the race, and finished at Dover at 11h.24m.,9min. 15 sec. in front of Clara, the winner of the handicap. Details:- HANDICAP RACE - Sweepstakes of £5 each, with £10 added by the club, for yachts exceeding 50 tons. Course from Ostend to Dover. Starters:- Bona, Yawl, 123 tons, Mr. Peter Donaldson; Brynhild, Yawl, 153 tons, Sir J. Pender; Tutty, Cutter, 75 tons, Mr. W.C. Connell; Clara, Schooner, 185 tons, Mr. Max Guilleaume; Namara, Yawl, 102 tons, Mr. W.B. Paget; Columbine, Yawl, 81 tons, Mr. A.F. Fynn... The starting gun was given at 6.30, there being a capital breeze from the south, which held until the boats reached the English coast, where it blew hard from the S.S.W. All the competitors carried jackyarders and jibtopsails, and the race was a very fast one. Namara and Creole were the first across the line, with Bona, Clara, Brynhild, and Columbine close together in a cluster. The boats were able to reach all the way, and the race was almost devoid of incident, with the exception that Mr. A.F. Fynn's yawl carried away her topmast. The boats were officially timed at Dover as follows:- Clara (winner) 11h.33m.15s; Brynhild 11h.44m.0s; Bona 11h.52m.0s; Namara 12h.2m.0s; Creole 12h.37m.30s. Columbine not timed."

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 31 July 1902 - “SOUTHAMPTON - Cicely, Mr. Quentin’s successful schooner, in the run round from Dover had 20 feet of her bulwarks carried away by heavy seas, and put in at Fay and Co.’s, the builders, on Tuesday for repairs.”

 

THE EVENING TELEGRAPH (Angus) - Thursday 31 July 1902 - “PREPARING FOR A CRUISE - The Central News Cowes correspondent telegraphs:- After a wet night has come a glorious warm morning with a smooth sea. Shortly before noon preparations were commenced for the Royal yacht to get under weigh. It is a perfect day for a cruise. Many of the well-known racing yachts have arrived in the Solent from the east, including the Bona, Sybarite, Columbine, Cicely, and the Kaiser’s Meteor.”

 

THE TIMES - Monday 4 August 1902 - YACHTING - "THE SOLENT REGATTAS - Racing for the big classes in the Solent opened on Saturday with the regatta of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. The day was an ideal one for racing, a nice westerly breeze of gradually increasing strength enabling the courses to be completed in quick time. Only Cicely and Clara were entered for the schooner class. The conditions exactly suited Mr. Quentin's new vessel and she won somewhat easily. Details:- FIRST RACE - Schooners of 50 tons T.M. and upwards. First prize, £50, presented by the Commodore; second prize, £20.

Cicely, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Clara, Mr. Max Guilleaume.

Course from the station vessel off Netley to the Spit gas float, leaving it on the starboard hand, West Bramble buoy port hand, round the Warner lightship, thence round the Solent Bank buoy to the Spit gas float, port hand, and finish across the line. Once round, about 42 miles. Cicely to allow Clara 2min. 44sec.

The starting gun was fired at 10.45, the vessels reaching down to the line on starboard with a nice westerly breeze. Cicely was first through, with Clara 20 seconds astern, sailing almost in her wake, and as soon as she had crossed Clara pointed for Cicely's weather, but the challenge was never a very serious one. At the Warner Cicely was about two minutes to the good. From this point, however, Clara was out of the racing, and Cicely, keeping more away from the island shore, eventually got freer wind and rapidly forged ahead. She came home in a freshening breeze an easy winner. The finish was timed:- Cicely (winner) 3h.52m.15s; Clara 4h.14m.55s."

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 7 August 1902 - “COWES WEEK - GOOD RACING AND A BIG ATTENDANCE - THE SOCIAL SIDE - Cowes Week began early this year in view of its early finish, and on Saturday Cowes was as gay and full as it is very often in the middle of the week.... On the whole, Cowes Week this year should be pronounced a great success; and although houses have not let so well as usual and there are, perhaps, not so many yachts in the Roads, yet there seem to be more of the right sort of person about than ever, and the R.Y.S. has been more than lavish in providing entertainment for its guests. The august presence of their Majesties in the Roads has, no doubt, contributed to the success of the Week, although up to the time of going to press they have not been ashore at West Cowes. It is to be hoped that the weather will remain  fine to the end.... DETAILS OF THE RACING - Racing for the big classes in the Solent opened on Saturday, with the regatta of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. The day was an ideal one for racing, a nice westerly breeze of gradually increasing strength enabling the courses to be completed in quick time. Only Cicely and Clara were entered for the schooner class. The conditions exactly suited Mr. Quentin’s new vessel, and she won somewhat easily...

ROYAL SOUTHAMPTON YACHT CLUB - Saturday 2 August - HANDICAP for schooners of 50 tons T.M. and upwards. First prize, £50, presented by the commodore; second, £20. Entries: Cicely, 260 tons, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Clara, 185 tons, M. Max Guilleaume. Course, from the station vessel off Netley to the Spit gas float, leaving it on the starboard hand, West Bramble buoy port hand, round the Warner lightship, thence round the Solent Bank buoy to the Spit gas float, port hand, and finish across the line. Once round, about 42 miles. Cicely allowed Clara 2min. 44sec. The starting gun was fired at 10.45, the vessels reaching down to the line on starboard with a nice westerly breeze. Cicely was first through, with Clara 20sec. astern, sailing almost in her wake, and as soon as she had crossed Clara pointed for Cicely’s weather, but the challenge was never a very serious one. At the Warner Cicely was about two minutes to the good. From this point, however, Clara was out of the racing, and Cicely, keeping more away from the island shore, eventually got a freer wind and rapidly forged ahead. She came home in a freshening breeze an easy winner. The finish was timed: Cicely (winner) 3h.52m.15s; Clara 4h.14m.55s.”

 

THE TIMES - Monday 4 August 1902 - YACHTING -  "...A capital entry has been received for the Emperor's Cup, which is open to all boats of over 40 tons which have not started in class races during this or last season. The conditions of the race, which have been slightly altered from the original programme, are that no paid hands are to be carried beyond the ordinary crew, with the exception of a pilot. Jackyards are not allowed, & the sailing committee will handicap the competitors. The Emperor's Cup will go to the first vessel finishing within her time, the second prize to the next vessel by time of another rig, and the third prize to the vessel next to the winner within her time, irrespective of rig. A really splendid entry has been received for this race including; Leander, yawl, 98tons; Cetonia, schooner, 203; Glory, yawl, 205; Cicely, schooner, 260; Brynhild, yawl, 153; Lygia, yawl, 55; Fiona, yawl, 151; Clara, schooner, 185; Palmosa, cutter, 49; Irex, cutter, 88; Namara, yawl, 102; Creole, cutter, 54; Bona, yawl, 123; Fiona, cutter, 86.

- On Thursday the Royal Yacht Squadron have three events included in their programme. The chief match is a handicap for the Town Cup (a piece of plate presented by the inhabitants of the town of Cowes), which is open to all yachts of 60 linear rating or upwards belonging to any recognized yacht club, the entries are:- Meteor III, The German Emperor, schooner; Navahoe, yawl, Consul G. Watjen; Irex, cutter, Mr. H. Margetti."

 

THE TIMES - Thursday 7 August 1902 - YACHTING - "COWES WEEK- There was a complete change in the weather conditions yesterday. In place of the bright sunshine which prevailed on Tuesday, the sky was leaden-hued, and rain fell heavily throughout the day. Fortunately the wind held true from the South in moderate strength, giving the yachts a reach all round the course, which was consequently covered in exceptionally fast time....There was a record entry for the Emperor's Cup race, 17 yachts being named on the programme, of which 16 started, making a fine spectacle as, with considerable way on, they reached through the starting line in a cluster. The handicap, which can have been no easy task to make with so many boats of various rigs engaged, worked out admirably, seconds only dividing many of the competitors when the times were corrected. Irex was winner, Cetonia being second, and Fiona, cutter (not Lord Camden's vessel- yawl of the same name), third."

"RACE for the EMPEROR'S CUP, presented by H.I.M. the German Emperor, with second and third prizes, for all yachts of 40 tons, Thames measurement, and upwards, which have not started in class races during this or last season. No paid hands to be carried beyond the ordinary crew of the vessel, with the exception of a pilot: jackyardtopsails not allowed. The Emperor's prize to go to the first vessel arriving within her time, the second prize to go to the next vessel by time of another rig, and the third prize to go to the next vessel within her time irrespective of rig. Old Queen's Course, from the Squadron Castle to the Bullock Patch Buoy, thence round Lymington Spit Buoy and back to the starting-line: once round.

Entries: Leander, Rig; Yawl, 98 tons, Handicap; 35 mins, Owner Hon. R. Guinness; Cetonia, Schooner, 203, 39 mins, Lord Iveagh; Glory, Yawl, 205, 29 mins, Sir H. Seymour King; Cicely, Schooner, 260, 4 mins, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Brynhild, Yawl, 158, 17 mins 20 secs, Sir James Pender; Navahoe, Yawl, 232, Scratch, Mr. G.W.  Watjen; Lygia, Yawl, 63, 55 mins, Mr. Alfred Scheitlin; Columbine, Yawl, 81, 51 mins, Mr. A.F. Fynn; Fiona, Yawl, 15,1 51 mins, Marquis of Camden; Leander, Yawl, 49, 1 hour 20 mins, Mr. W. D. Gainsford; Fiona, Cutter, 80, 56 mins, Mr. H.M. Rait; Clara, Schooner, 185, 22 mins 20 secs, Herr Max Guilleaume; Palmosa, Cutter, 49, 56 mins, Mr. J.A. Sanderson; Irex, Cutter, 88, 38 mins, Mr. H. Marguetti; Namara, Yawl, 102, 38 mins, Mr. W. Paget; Creole, Cutter, 54, 45 mins 3, secs, Colonel Bagot; Bona, Yawl, 123, 8 mins 30 secs, Mr. Peter Donaldson.

Glory did not start. The starting gun was fired at 10.15, when they all reached down to the line in close company. The leading boats had timed the gun to a nicety. Bona and Lord Camden's Fiona going through immediately after the flash. Namara, close up, was third, to leeward of Palmosa, which, in turn, was to leeward of Creole; Cicely was sixth: then in a group came Lygia, the other Fiona , Mr. Guinness's Leander, Navahoe, Brynhild, and Mr. Gainsford's Leander, Clara, Irex, on Cetonia's weather, and Columbine brought up the rear.

 As the vessels disappeared in the haze past Old Castle Point, Bona seemed to be holding her own well. Cicely, however, soon made up ground, and sailing past the Gillkicker Fort, Mr. Quentin's schooner was leading the fleet. The yachts were timed at this point:-

Cicely 10H.43m.30s; Navahoe 10.44.12; Bona 10.45.37; Clara 10.46.25; Brynhild 10.47.7; Namara 10.47.55; Irex 10.48.15; Creole 10.49.58; Leander 10.50.12; Columbine 10.50.47; Palmosa 10.50.49; Lygia 10.51.7; Cetonia 10.51.43; Fiona 10.52.12; Leander (49 tons) 10.56.0.

 

 

The Bullock Patch Buoy was obscured by a thick haze, and it was impossible to time the boats round the mark. When they again came in sight, off Cowes going west-ward, it was seen that Cicely had drawn out a little more from Navahoe, Irex had changed places with Namara, and Cetonia, from 13th, had sailed into seventh place. Clara carried away her foretopmast and was obliged to give up. This was very unfortunate, as she had been sailing splendidly, and when the accident happened was well within her time. A very similar fate befell the lesser Leander (Mr. Gainsford's). Passing the Squadron Castle, with a strong tide helping to send them along at a rare pace, the vessels were timed:-

Cicely 12H.43m.5s; Navahoe 12.50.10; Bona 1.0.31; Brynhild 1.1.51; Irex 1.4.51; Namara 1.10.55; Cetonia 1.12.6; Leander (98 tons) 1.12.30; Columbine 1.22.3; Creole 1.23.30; Fiona (cutter) 1.23.55; Lygia 1.24.55; Palmosa 1.20.3; Fiona (yawl) 1.49.30.

They were soon down to the Lymington mark, and reaching back with the wind on the starboard beam, the vessels finished a quickly-sailed race at the following times:-

Cicely 2H.15m.27s; Navahoe 2.16.47; Bona 2.32.37; Brynhild 2.34.4; Irex (winner) 2.39.36; Cetonia (second prize) 2.42.27; Leander 2.45.53; Namara 2.51.42; Fiona (cutter) (third prize) 3.0.3; Columbine 3.1.35; Creole 3.4.29; Lygia 3.6.42; Palmosa 3.10.53."

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 7 August 1902 - “ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON - Wednesday 6 August - RACE for Emperor’s Cup. Old Queen’s Course, Cowes. Round Bullock buoy, Lymington spit buoy and back. Entries: Leander, yawl, 98 tons, Hon. Rupert Guinness; Cetonia, schooner, 203, Lord Iveagh; Glory, yawl, 205, Sir P. Seymour King; Cicely, schooner, 260, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Brynhild, yawl, 153, Sir J. Pender; Navahoe, yawl, 232, Hon. G.W. Watjen; Lygia, yawl, 63, Mr. A. Scheitlin; Columbine, yawl, 81, Mr. A.F. Fynn; Fiona, yawl, 151, Marquess of Camden; Leander, yawl, Mr. D. Gainsford; Fiona, cutter, 80, Mr. H.M. Rait; Clara, schooner, 185, M. Max Guilleaume; Palmosa, cutter, 49, Mr. J.A. Sanderson; Irex, cutter, 88, Mr. H. Marzetti; Namara, yawl, 102, Mr. W.B. Paget; Creole, cutter, 54, Colonel Bagot; Bona, yawl, 123, Mr. P. Donaldson.

Navahoe allowed Cicely 4min., Bona 8min. 40sec., Brynhild 17min. 20sec., Clara 22min. 20sec., Glory 29min., Leander (98 tons) 35min., Irex and Namara 38 min., Cetonia 39min., Creole 45min. 30sec., Columbine 51min., Fiona (cutter) 51min., Lygia 55min., Fiona (yawl) 56min., Palmosa 56min., Leander (49 tons) 1hr. 20min.

Bona was first across the line after gun-fire at 10.15, Fiona, yawl, next, then Namara, Palmosa, with Creole to windward; Cicely was to leeward, Fiona, Lygia, Leander, Navahoe, Brynhild, and Leander crossed in a cluster. Clara and Irex, on Cetonia’s weather, with Columbine last. They reached on starboard to the Bullock buoy, Cicely taking the lead. Reaching back on port, Cicely, Navahoe, Bona, Clara, and Brynhild was the order of the leading vessels, a very fast race resulted:

Cicely 2h.15m.27; Navahoe 2h.16m.47s; Bona 2h.32m.37s; Brynhild 2h.34m.4s; Irex (winner) 2h.39m.36s; Cetonia (second) 2h.42m.25s; Leander (98 tons) 2h.48m.53s; Namara 2h.51m.42s; Fiona (cutter) 3h.0m.3s; Columbine (third) 3h.1m.35s; Creole 3h.4m.29s; Lygia 3h.6m.42s; Palmosa 3h.10m.58s.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 7 August 1902 - “SOUTHAMPTON - Mr. Cecil Quentin’s racing schooner Cicely, which was built by Messrs. Fay and Co., of Northam, has been such a great success in the various matches for which she was entered, last week arrived at Southampton flying eight winning flags.”

ALSO - “Cicely’s sails suffered considerably during the hard blow which she met on her return from Ostend.”

 

THE TIMES - Thursday 14 August 1902 - YACHTING - "The Royal Victoria Yacht Club continued its programme yesterday. The programme included races for schooners, a handicap for the Vice-Commodore's Cup, and a race for 52-footers. The course for schooners was round the island, and Cicely won easily, arriving home nearly 40min. ahead of Clara, to whom she was conceding 16min. 40sec. time allowance... HANDICAP RACE for schooners exceeding 50 tons, Thames measurement. First prize, £50. Course round the Isle of Wight.

Cicely, 263 tons, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Clara, 185 tons, Mr. Max Guilleaume. Cicely allows Clara 16min. 40sec.

The starting gun was fired at 10 o'clock. The vessels reached into the line broad on starboard, Cicely on Clara's weather. They dropped spinnakers to starboard, and as they squared away on their course the vessels were abreast. Cicely began to draw away and as they disappeared to the eastward had established a good lead. It was a beat down the back of the island. Off St. Catherine's Point it was evident that Cicely had done still better on the wind than her smaller rival, as she was then 18 minutes to the good. The vessels were timed here:- Cicely 1h.54m.0s; Clara 2h.12m.0s.

They had to beat as far as the Needles, whence it was a run with spinnakers set up the West Channel. Passing Totland Bay pier the Fife schooner led by 23 minutes, and she continued to increase her advantage. Reaching home on the starboard tack they finished:- Cicely (winner) 5h.19m.32s; Clara 5h.58m.35s.

Clara did not actually cross the line at the finish, the finishing time given being approximate."

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 21 August 1902 - “RACING IN THE SOLENT - REGATTAS AT RYDE, SOUTHSEA AND SOUTHAMPTON - The second day’s racing at Ryde under the burgee of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club was very interesting. The morning opened with a light breeze from the south-west, which improved as the day advanced. The first race on the programme was for schooners, the course being round the island. Only Cicely and Clara started, and Cicely, sailing away from her opponent on all points, won by about 28min. over the time she was allowing Clara... DETAILS OF RACING - ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUB - Wednesday 13 August - HANDICAP for schooners exceeding 50 tons Thames measurement. First prize, £50. Course, round the Isle of Wight. No restrictions as to passing buoys, &c., except that yachts must pass north of Sand Head buoy and Noman Fort and outside Bembridge Ledge buoy. Entries: Clara, 185 tons, M. Max Guilleaume; Cicely, 263, Mr. Cecil Quentin. Cicely allowed Clara 16min. 40sec. The starting-gun was fired at 10 o’clock. The wind was then coming from a little south of west. Both the vessels with jackyarders and balloon headsails reached for the line on starboard tack, Cicely in the weather berth, and squaring away to cross the line they were practically abreast. Spinnakers were set to starboard immediately, and then ran to the eastward on the flood-tide. The new schooner commenced to set out a lead at once, and was several lengths to the good, when spinnakers were lowered, and sheets flattened for the turn down the back of the Island. On the wind, Cicely left her opponent quickly, and off St. Catherine’s Point was 18min. to the good. A gybe was made at the Needles, where 20min. separated the two boats. Spinnakers were set to starboard, and they ran up the West Channel over a foul tide. Passing Totland Bay Pier they were timed: Cicely 3h.30m.0s; Clara 3h.55m.0s.

From Old Castle Point they reached home on starboard tack, with free sheets, big jib-topsails and balloon main-topmast staysails set, and finished: Cicely (winner) 5h.19m.32s; Clara did not finish.”

 

THE TIMES - Friday 15 August 1902 - YACHTING - The Royal Victoria Yacht Club concluded its regatta programme at Ryde yesterday. Two race were sailed in fine weather, though the wind was of a very fluky nature necessitating the courses being shortened. The first race for the Town Cup attracted a splendid muster of cruising yachts. Fourteen vessels were entered, and all started with the exception of Erycina. The result was rather an inconvenient one, as on their time allowances Bona and Palmosa made a dead heat of the race... RACE for the Coronation Town Cup, presented by the inhabitants of Ryde. A handicap race for yachts exceeding 40 tons, Thames measurement. 2nd prize, £20; 3rd prize, £10. Course (about 38 miles) from the starting line to the Warner lightship; thence to the South-East Princessa Buoy; thence to the Bullock Patch Buoy, back to the Warner; thence to the South-East Princessa and the Bullock Patch Buoys for the second time, and returning to the starting line. Entries:- Brynhild, yawl, 153 tons, Sir James Pender; Palmosa, Cutter, 49 tons, Mr. J.A. Sanderson; Bona, Yawl, 123 tons, Mr. Peter Donaldson; Leander, Yawl, 93 tons, Hon. Rupert Guinness; Columbine, Yawl, 81 tons, Mr. A.F. Fynn; Creole, Cutter, 54 tons, Col. Villiers Bagot; Cicely, Schooner, 263 tons, Mr. Cecil Quentin; Irex, Cutter, 88 tons, Mr. H. Marzetti; Namara, Yawl, 102 tons, Mr. W.B. Paget; Erycina, Yawl, 86 tons, Mr. P.F.G. Lord; Navahoe, Yawl, 232 tons, Mr. G.W. Watjen; Gwenyth, Cutter, 53 tons, Mr. H.J. Garrett; Lygia, Yawl, 63 tons, Mr. A. Scheitlin; Maid Marion, Cutter, 72 tons, Mr. W.B. Kennedy.

Handicap - Navahoe allowed Cicely 3min. 48sec., Bona 9min. 30sec., Brynhild 15min. 12sec., Namara 27min. 52sec., Irex 28min. 30sec., Maid Marion 29min. 46sec., Creole 34min. 12sec., Leander 38min., Columbine 40min. 32sec., Palmosa 42min. 24sec., Lygia 43min. 42sec., Erycina 44min. 20sec., and Gwenyth 50min. 40sec. Erycina was the only non-starter.

The starting gun was fired at 10.30 a.m. There was almost a dead calm at the time, and what faint air there was stirring came from the north-west. All the yachts carried jackyarders and balloon jib topsails, Cicely setting her big maintopmast staysail. With the flood tide carrying them along, they reached over the line in a cluster. Lygia was first to cross, followed by Brynhild, Maid Marion, and Gwenyth on her weather. Then all in a bunch, blanketing each other, came Cicely, Bona, Navahoe, Irex, and Leander. At the leeward end of the line were Creole, Palmosa, and Namara. Columbine was last. Mainbooms were eased off to starboard as the line was passed. Nearing the forts a new breeze sprang up from the east. As it caught each vessel booms were swung over to port, and it was a close haul to fetch the lightship. When they hauled at the Warner the times were:- Palmosa 11h.43m.40s; Creole 11h.46m.0s; Namara 11h.48m.25s; Bona 11h.50m.20s; Navahoe 11h.56m.15s; Cicely 12h.1m.45s; Brynhild 12h.7m.25s; Leander 12h.8m.50s; Maid Marion 12h.10m.25s; Gwenyth 12h.11m.20s; Columbine 12h.16m.10s; Lygia 12h.19m.35s; Irex 12h.27m.25s.

It was now a dead beat to the South-East Princessa Buoy. Palmosa and Creole standing too far in shore struck a calm patch, and Bona took the lead, going through Namara's lee. At the buoy, Bona was well ahead, followed by Namara, Palmosa, and Creole, all close together. Then came Cicely, Brynhild, and Navahoe, each with short intervals between them. The rest were a long way astern, not having been as well served by the change in the wind. Rounding the buoy, mainbooms were squared off to port and spinnakers set to starboard for a run to the Bullock Patch. After gybing at the Bullock Patch Buoy, the breeze died away, and the committee decided on shortening the course. This brought the race to an early conclusion, as soon afterwards a south-westerly breeze of moderate strength sprang up, enabling most of the yachts to fetch the finishing line. Others were headed off, and had to make a board or two. Gwenyth lost her topmast. The finish was timed:- Bona (dead heat) 3h.0m.14s; Namara (third prize) 3h.13m.34s; Cicely 3h.15m.55s; Navahoe 3h.17m.35s; Creole 3h.17m.35s; Palmosa (dead heat) 3h.20m.10s; Maid Marion 3h.25m.32s; Columbine 3h.38m.53s; Lygia 3h.39m.24s; Leander 3h.40m.32s; Gwenyth 3h.42m.33s. Brynhild gave up."

 

THE TIMES - Saturday 27 September 1902 - (A review of the yachting year) - "... There was the largest entry of recent years in the handicap matches of the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, which preceded the Ostend International Regatta. The Duke of Leeds presented a 50 guineas prize for the first match, which secured 11 entries, including Cicely, Mr. Cecil Quentin's new schooner, just returned from the Baltic regattas... Cicely's performance in the Dover to Ostend match, when she covered the course of 20 miles in 5h.49m.31s., was a grand one, the more so as the wind was comparatively light for about an hour after the start. The boats were able to lie their course to the West Hinder, with a broad reach and a run to finish the last 18 miles. Clara, the other schooner in the race, took the second prize... At Ostend Navahoe and Palmosa won two firsts each, Gauntlet one first and two seconds, Senga a first and a second, and Cicely, Bona, and Pleiad one second each... Racing for the big class on the Solent opened at Southampton in the first week of August. The Royal Southampton Yacht Club had a handicap for schooners over 50 tons, for which Clara and Cicely were entered. The conditions exactly suited Mr. Quentin's new vessel, and she won easily."

 

THE ESSEX TELEGRAPH – 4 October 1902 - “ROWHEDGE – HOME COMING - (Several yachts and their captains named)… The crew of Mr. Cecil Quentin’s fine racing yacht Cicely have arrived home having completed the laying-up preparation at Southampton. The Cicely, which is in the charge of Rowhedge’s popular skipper, Capt. Jessie Cranfield, and whose crew includes seventeen local yachtsmen, has had a successful season, and is the holder of ten trophies, nine firsts and one second. Six of these were won in German waters, and the rest were taken at Southampton, Ryde, and Ostend. It will be remembered that the Cicely, which was built this year, came in first in the Dover – Heligoland race, but lost on time allowance.”

 

THE YACHTING WORLD - 16 October 1902 - “SOUTHAMPTON - Cicely, Mr. Cecil Quentin’s well-known schooner, was hauled up on Saturday... “

 

THE ESSEX COUNTY STANDARD – Saturday 18 April 1903 - “EAST DONYLAND – YACHTING - …Mr Cecil Quentin’s schooner racing yacht Cicely will fit out at Southampton (Captain Jesse Cranfield), who left here with his crew on Tuesday; she carries a crew of 18 hands. This yacht made a record in racing last year from Dover to Ostend.

 

Cicely did not have a very successful racing season in 1903.

 

THE ESSEX COUNTY STANDARD – Saturday 26 September 1903 - “EAST DONYLAND – YACHTING……Mr. Cecil Quentin’s schooner Cicely, Capt. Jesse Cranfield, will lay up at Brightlingsea.”

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