Chichester Yacht Club Magazine April 2017 | Page 18

Then, because the owner and operators of the
recently opened Chichester Yacht Marina
sought premises which they already owned to
provide a facility for berth holders, the building
was tarted up and given a lick of paint to open
as the Egremont Club. This was not a success.
Then, as reported in the February issue of last
year, the original pre-war CYC was re-formed
on March 26 1967. Thus we celebrate our
Golden Anniversary this year.
There are two other anniversaries worth
mentioning at this time.
Even a poor mathematician can work out that
1992 was our silver jubilee, and this was
celebrated with gusto. The main event was the
Compass Rose Anchoring on 10th July.
In modern times it is regarded as a major
yachting challenge.
Masterminded by the Rear Commodore
Yachts, Bob Atkins aboard Maelstrom, four
boats established the Rose from a previously
established central point.
Other boats then came alongside between the
four cardinal boats with adjustments made on
bow and stern warps to maintain the shape of a
circle. In the hope of preventing crossed anchor
chains only every fifth boat dropped their hook
or had it laid by the club's launch Cyclone.
Once the circle is complete the idea is for each
vessel to winch in their aft breast lines hard
against the fenders, easing the head ropes and
adjusting springs as necessary.
Understanding the instructions was difficult
The origins of a number of vessels anchoring in enough. Carrying them out was a nightmare.
a circle are lost in the mists of history. One
theory is that it was developed by the Vikings
It was a bold effort and the 46 yachts and
as a defence against an enemy, particularly at motors enjoyed the challenge and the partying
night.
which went on between boats.
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