Ahoy there fellow adventurers. Picture this The Royal Bombay Yacht Club. It stands proudly overlooking the Gateway of India. A majestic structure steeped in history.
Established in 1846 the Bombay Yacht Club initially lacked the “Royal” title. Thirty years later Queen Victoria granted it the prestigious title. This was due to the recommendation of Sir Philip Wodehouse. The club’s history is rich with tales of prominent visitors. Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and his wife Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia graced its doors. So did William Kissam Vanderbilt. He was a railroad tycoon and a yachting enthusiast. He even co-owned the 1895 America’s Cup winner the sloop Defender.
The club’s original seafront clubhouse built in 1881 was later renamed the Old Yacht Club. A second clubhouse was erected in 1896. Its Venetian Gothic style blended with Indian Saracenic architecture. This provided accommodations for members and visitors. Imagine the elegance the grandeur. These buildings witnessed momentous occasions. The arrival of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911 aboard the RMS Medina was one such event.
The Royal Bombay Yacht Club wasn’t always smooth sailing. In 1958 it temporarily closed. The reason was its initial refusal to accept new Indian members. This led to a unique solution. The club granted honorary memberships to all Bombay Club members. It also provided a new home for their furniture and belongings.
The 1960s saw the introduction of a new race. This was after Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh presented the Challenge Cup. The race was for a Combined Class spanning at least 21 miles. The club owned a fleet of boats. Members also owned their own yachts including the Chindwin Iona Silver Oak Tir and Merope. The club even hosted the 6th National Regatta for the Yachting Association of India.
The legacy of the Royal Bombay Yacht Club continues. Philip Bragg a member built the Suhaili the first yacht to sail solo nonstop around the world. Sir Robin Knox-Johnson another famous yachtsman visited the club in 2004. In 2013 the club’s residential chambers received a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award. The Royal Bombay Yacht Club is more than a club. It’s a living testament to Mumbai’s maritime heritage. It’s a place where history luxury and the spirit of adventure converge.