Formation

The RLYC began in 1838^[2] as an informal gathering of gentlemen who sailed their yachts on the River Thames. They moored their yachts on the river by the Arundel Steps, near the present site of Arundel Street and HQS Wellington. Without a permanent clubhouse, they met when off the water at the Coal Hole Tavern in Fountain Court alongside many other societies of the day.^[3]

Name and Insignia Changes

After its formation, the club crew in standing and profile, and went through several changes of name and insignia.

When known as the Arundel Yacht Club, the club's ensign was a red flag with a white border, with the letters "AYC" on the field in white.^[2]

In 1845, the members changed the name to the "London Yacht Club" and adopted a new ensign - white, modelled after that of the Royal Navy but with a blue cross (as opposed to the Navy's red cross) and a gold star in the canton. The following year, the Lord Mayor unusually granted the use the Coat of arms of the City of London Corporation, which replaced the star in the canton.^[1]

Shortly after, the ensign changed again to when the Dowager Queen Adelaide gave the club royal patronage. The club became the "Royal London Yacht Club" and a warrant permitted the flying of a blue ensign defaced with the arms of the City of London.

Relocation to Cowes

In the 1860s, Victoria Embankment was built,^[4] which changed the waterfront of the Thames. Later, evidence^[5][6] suggests that in the early 1880s the public house formerly known as the Coal Hole where the club originally met was demolished.

Perhaps for this cause, in 1882 the RLYC re-located to Cowes on the Isle of Wight where it joined the Royal Yacht Squadron to become the second Cowes-based club. Two Georgian town houses on the Parade were leased; now with the party wall removed, they remain the clubhouse today with the combined staircase of the two houses forming a grand staircase to the club's drawing room.