January 2020 ClubScene Events Burns Night Dinner

Photos Chairman's Supper and Battle of Taranto Dinner Feature 'Silent Service 2' and 'Financing John Phillip Holland’s Designs' Directory ROYAL NAVAL CLUB AND ROYAL ALBERT YACHT CLUB Established 1867 | 17 Pembroke Road, Portsmouth, England, PO1 2NT

Direct______Lines______Reception and Membership Carlie Robbins 023 9282 5924 [email protected] Events and Managemant Sarah Kosti 023 9282 5931 [email protected] Head Chef Gary Cook 023 9282 9131 [email protected] Accounts Alison Tagg 023 9282 5926 [email protected] Club Secretary Tracy Cotton 023 9282 8266 [email protected]

Additional______Contact______Details______Chairman John Hill [email protected] Commodore Adrian Saunders [email protected] Bridge Club Rosemary Niner please contact Reception Wine Appreciation (WAGS) Miles Linington [email protected] ClubScene Editor Carlie Robbins [email protected] Feedback & suggestions Reception [email protected]

Club Opening Hours ______Weekdays: Weekends: Club Open: Monday - Friday 0930 - 1500 Club Open: Sunday 1200 - 1500 Bar Open: Monday - Friday 1200 - 1500 Bar Open: Sunday 1200 - 1500 Tuesday 1700 - 1900 Carvery: Sunday 1300 - 1400 Thursday 1700 - 1900 Bar Lunch: Sunday 1230 - 1400 Friday 1800 - 2200 Food: Monday - Friday 1200 - 1500 Friday 1830 - 2100 Dress Codes ______A smart casual dress code is applicable in the Member’s Bar during general opening hours. For specific events please see the event information for the required dress code. Smart Casual – Gentlemen - denims, chinos or suit pants with a shirt or polo shirt. Ladies - equivalent dress with flat or heeled shoes acceptable. No ripped denim, sports clothing, flip flops, t-shirts with offensive slogans or illustrations, baseball caps. Jacket and Tie - Gentlemen – lounge suit or dress trousers, jacket and tie. Ladies formal equivalent, cocktail length. Black Tie - Service Mess Undress, Royal Yacht Squadron Mess Kit or equivalent, Gentlemen – Formal dinner suit with black bow tie. Ladies – formal full length attire. Miniature medals and decorations to be worn.

FROM THE BOARD

marketing agency to increase our GET ON THE WATER market visibility. That will cover the To continue the theme of getting on venue business as well as helping us the water the next step from seek and engage new members. dinghies is progression to day or John Hill One of our members said to me keel boats. There is nothing better CHAIRMAN earlier in the year “We all joined in than a warm summers evening our 50s and now we are in our 80s,” sailing around the buoys off As we go into January Anthea and I and there has been no push for Portsmouth. The Club has a very will have returned from spending more 50-year olds or to retain those close relationship with the Victory Christmas with our daughter in San we attract”. Class, a one design class based in Diego. We hope that you all had an Finally, last month I announced that Portsmouth harbour. They sail enjoyable festive period and are our club Secretary who has been Tuesday and Thursday evenings, now looking forward to enjoying the with the club for 7 years is leaving at Saturday afternoons in the season club and the exciting times ahead the beginning of March. If you wish and there are always opportunities for all of us in 2020. to join us in thanking Tracy for her to sail. If interested do contact me. It is now the beginning of the new hard work and to wish her well, year and the major drive to move please contact Carlie our the club forward. Since May we Membership Secretary. have been planning and preparing, establishing what we want to do and discovering a few climbable foothills. Adrian I have drafted a letter offering the Saunders £5000 each debenture loan. This is a 5-year loan offering a return of 4% COMMODORE with the investment secured against COMMODORE'S SUPPERS all the club assets. We have decided AMERICAS CUP CHALLENGE With the New Year upon us we have that the club is badly unused and if The launch of Sir Ben Ainslie’s AC an exciting series of Commodore’s we want to create value for challenge in October revealed a Suppers lined up for 2020. Firstly on members, we must hire out more spectacular racing yacht. Her and all Thursday 9th January is the and make the building work for us. the crew are off to Sardinia for welcoming supper for Sir Robin Eventually this should lead to better winter training in preparation for Knox-Johnston to his Honorary levels of staffing, greater availability the first World Series event 23-26th Membership and he will be giving a (with the club open more) and a April. There is a possibility that the presentation on his “80years”, better level of social and fo rmal World Series could be coming to certainly an event not to be missed. events. Unless we can raise £80,000 Portsmouth in June, fingers crossed. initially then we will have to find another way forward. This is critical to prime the pump to increase hiring business significantly over the next 5 years. Part of the issue is that we need to tell people we are here and one of the limiting factors is the rather long and cumbersome name We will also hold the auction and - we are no longer a Club exclusively raffle to raise money for the racing for Royal Naval Officers and mark sponsorship, so bring your Yachties. All and any suggestions cash and cheque, more detail on the are welcome - in the suggestions items very soon. In April we have the box please. On which issue we are privilege of meeting the new Queens Any questions do not hesitate to contact also in the process of selecting a Harbour Master. me on 07833226999 or commodore@rnc- rayc.co.uk

FROM THE BAR SMALLER PORTIONS FOR LIGHTER APPETITES NOW AVAILABLE

January STARTERS MENU

Olives, crusty bread (v) Creamy broccoli soup (vg) Haggis Bon Bon's, rocket salad, spicy tomato dip Crispy whitebait, bread and butter, lemon, mayonnaise Chicken timbale

MAIN COURSES

Spanish omelette, chips, salad (v) Mixed bean chilli, rice, home made tortilla chips, salsa (vg) Liver and bacon, onions, mashed potato Sticky orange and sesame chicken, rice noodles Steak and ale pudding, seasonal vegetables Roasted cod, lentils, vine tomatoes Home cooked ham, egg, sauté potatoes, tomato, peas

DESSERTS

Orange and lemon tart Raspberry Cranachan Chocolate tart, coconut ice cream (vg)

JANUARY OFFERS

Bring three friends to lunch on a Monday or Tuesday in January and enjoy a bottle of house wine for your table on us! Offer redeemable once per member with the purchase of four main courses One member per group can redeem this offer per visit Please indicate when booking if you wish to redeem this offer January Roast Wednesday Deal Escape the January cold by taking advantage of our warming 'Roast Wednesday' offer. A Roast Dinner with a sumptuous pudding for £10!

Offer valid throughout the month of January on Wednesdays only A touch of Frost... Silent Service 2

In the first article on the silent service the T Class was introduced. They were to replace the O, P, and R classes. Work started in 1934 and a number of compromises were required due to the restrictions imposed by International Treaties, of which Britain was a signatory, following WW 1. Sir Noel Laurence, Rear Admiral , a very distinguished submariner of the 1914-18 war, insisted that a powerful, forward, pod of torpedoes was essential. The Imperial Japanese Fleet was considered a definite threat and he believed that it would be difficult to reach the capital ships, through the destroyer screen. It was therefore necessary to fire a salvo of torpedoes, to have a chance that one or more would get through. The result was the characteristic bulge in the bow of the Class.

(LEFT) HMS Trenchant (RIGHT) A WWII Charriot

HMS Trenchant embodied the realisation of the design parameters. Serving in the Pacific, under the command of Commander Arthur Hazlet DSO, DSC, she fought the Japanese, sinking both transports and warships by use of her torpedoes, her gun and even ramming. Notably she sank the German U-859, in the Malacca Straits, taking eleven prisoners. A month later carrying chariots into Phuket Harbour, she sank a major Japanese cargo ship, the Sumatra Maru. Many would say it is brave enough to wage war in a submarine. To sit astride a torpedo and guide it to its target, takes it to a completely different level. Most famously she sank the Japanese Cruiser Ashigara, carrying 1,600 men and vital military equipment. Significantly 5 out of 8 torpedoes hit at 4,000 yards; thus, fully vindicating Noel Laurence’s design input. At the end of the war, all surviving T-class Group 1 and Group 2 boats were scrapped, but the Group 3 boats (which were of welded rather than riveted construction) were retained and fitted with snorkel masts, snorts in Navy slang. Earlier submarines were designed to spend most of their time on the surface. They usually dived only to avoid detection or make a daylight attack. Until radar came into general use, sonar was the danger. It could easily detect a submerged vessel but was virtually useless at detecting a submarine on the surface. As radar systems improved submarines, particularly U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic, were forced to spend more and more time submerged, relying on battery power, with the resulting lack of speed and range. As early as 1938 the Royal Netherlands Navy had been experimenting with a simple system that enabled the use of diesel propulsion, and battery charging, at periscope depth. When the Germans overran Holland in 1940, they captured O-25 and O-26, both fitted with the most advanced version of the Sniffer, as the Dutch called it. It was a stroke of luck, but initially the Germans failed to see the full potential and used it only to bring fresh air on board. They eventually realised their mistake and by 1944 half the fleet, based on the French coast, were able to run their main engines at periscope depth.

(RIGHT) First Lieutenant Robert Higgins Robert, right, shows King After WW2 HMS Trenchant continued in service, in 1948 she Constantine the was joined by a new First Lieutenant, Robert Higgins, a loyal luxurious and popular Club member, until his recent death. That sleeping commission ended suddenly in 1950 following a major arrangements battery explosion, while submerged, some 100 miles off on a T Class Londonderry. Robert took the Perisher, the command boat preparation course in 1952, and was appointed to his first command, another T Class boat, HMS Trespasser. Bob’s naval career was varied and fascinating, but he had another (BELOW) passion; hiking and mountaineering. In 1947 he conquered Finsteraarhorn the 14,000 ft, picture perfect Alp, Finsteraarhorn, in the Bernese Bernese Oberland. A major achievement was to find a way of Oberland linking his interests. He did that by helping to found the Royal Naval Mountaineering Club in 1948. He was Treasurer for 20 years and voted Honorary Membership of the Club. When posted to Malta he wrote a Guide to Maltese Rock Climbing. Another posting, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, as Staff Officer Operations 6th Submarine Division, saw him climbing in the Rockies and pioneering a new route up and down Mount Foch. As his son said, “the deeper he dived under the sea, the greater his need to scale the heights.” Our members have found many ways to scale the heights, perhaps Robert’s way was more literal.

Copyright David Frost reserves all rights to this ongoing series of articles appearing in Clubscene from 2017 to present. A touch of Frost... Financing John Phillip Holland’s Designs

Men have dreamt of submersible warfare for many years. The Turtle is credited with the first submarine attack, against HMS Eagle in 1776. It succeeded in reaching its target but the one man crew was insufficiently trained to plant the mine. He withdrew, in good order, and exploded the device in open water. Others followed thick and fast including Sea Devil. She famously submerged in St Petersburg harbour, at the coronation of Czar Alexander II, with a four piece brass band on board. Ear witnesses swore that they could hear the Russian National Anthem, issuing from the deep. The Irish American John Phillip Holland, after many years of struggle designed and built USS Holland, the first submarine to be bought by the American Navy. In April 1900 it cost $165,000 ($4,714,000 today).. They were followed by the , who bought 5, each at a cost of £35,000 (£4,300,000 today).

John Phillip Holland Few today know the history of the funding of his design. In 1873 he submitted detailed designs to the US Navy, who rejected them totally. He was without employment, until he was approached by the Fenians, the American branch of the IRA. They gave him $6,000 ($128,300) to develop a boat, to be used against the Royal Navy. He had no moral argument with this course since he harboured strong ante British feelings himself. His first attempt in 1878 sank and had to be recovered, but its second run was more successful, with Holland himself at the controls. His second boat, the Fenian Ram was launched in 1881. There followed a series of successful trials in USS Holland in the Hudson. Holland insisted on further rigorous trials, but his backers were impatient. They took the boat, towed her across the Atlantic to New Haven, there to start attacks on British shipping. In the event they were unable to manage the controls and eventually abandoned the project. Holland found a new backer in Isaac Rice, who had a monopoly on storage batteries. The designs were developed and improved leading to USS Holland at the end of the century. There can be little doubt however, that developments of critical importance, were financed and made possible by the IRA.

Copyright David Frost reserves all rights to this ongoing series of articles appearing in Clubscene from 2017 to present. REWARD SCHEME

The Club values the loyalty and dedication of its Members so by way of thanks, we will credit your Smart Card with £50 to spend in the bar each time you introduce a new full member* to the RNC&RAYC

*Terms and conditions apply Please enquire at Reception PHOTO REVIEW THE CHAIRMAN'S SUPPER & THE BATTLE OF TARANTO DINNER

DATE FOR THE DIARY BURNS NIGHT DINNER F R I D A Y 2 4 J A N U A R Y 1 9 0 0 F O R 1 9 3 0 The Burns Supper is a celebration of the life and enduring legacy of the great Scottish poet Robert Burns. While it was first organised by his close friends and family as a memorial dinner, the night has since morphed into a country-wide event, cheering Scotland's distinctive culture and heritage. Burns night at the RNC&RAYC begins with guests being greeted by a traditional piper before being seated to enjoy a four course menu which includes; 'A Celebration of Scottish Seafood', Cock-A-Leekie Soup, Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, followed by Cranachan. All the usual traditions are observed; 'Piping in the Haggis', the 'Address to the Haggis' and a celebration of Robbie Burns from an accomplished guest speaker which for the Club's 2020 Burns Night Supper is Bill Henry, who we look foward to welcoming.

Bill Henry is adept in leading WHO WAS ROBERT BURNS? commemorations of Robert Burns having formerly graced A massive source of inspiration to prestigious venues such as the British Embassy Gardens in the founders of Liberalism and Muscat Oman, the Savoy Hotel Socialism, the 18th-century writer Ballroom in and now the is known for his astute social Royal Naval Club and Royal commentary and focus on all Albert Yacht Club in Old things political. Portsmouth. Scotland’s national poet is In 2013 he won the coveted Tam O'Shanter poetry competition held considered a revolutionary figure, annually by the Dumfries Ladies Burns Club in the Globe Inn, Dumfries, both in his homeland and beyond. as frequented by Burns himself. A year on in 2014, Bill was the President of the Burns Club of London where he currently serves as Secretary.

Booking for this not to be missed event is now open to members and their guests. The cost for the evening is set at £48 which includes a four course traditional Burns Night menu with coffee, wine, port and most importantly the quintessential dram of whisky included in the price. Provisional bookings must be finalised by way of payment in the week before the event. The club politely requests that all dietary requirements and guests names are received ahead of time. The dress code for the evening is Black Tie or equivalent floor length attire for ladies in attendance. Please enquire at Reception for further information. MEMBER FEEDBACK Member feedback is paramount in ensuring that the club provides not only unrivalled service but an unforgettable experience to its valued members. Tell us what you think via one of the post event feedback questionnaires or through the suggestions box in Reception

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Invest in the club and help maximise its potential Earn an impressive 4% interest on your investment See your investment returned in 5 years and enjoy the benefits of the improvements RECIPROCAL VISIT

February is a great time to visit bottom: the service was India, by the way: dry and bright, immaculate. I should single out but still in the high 20s/low 30s, the in-house laundry service for rather than the much hotter particular comment - in by 9am, spring and summer. returned by 6pm neatly pressed, Food in the Club was folded and wrapped in '...brown surprisingly wide-ranging: from paper packages tied up with European-style bar food to full- string...'. For 35p a shirt! on Indian dining. Three meals The RBYC (founded in 1846, and are available every day, 7 days a very proudly the oldest Yacht week, with a daily changing Club in India) is housed in a menu and a full bar service. large, four-storey Victorian Prices were incredibly modest, Gothic edifice of colonial flavour, One of the most notable and and the food excellent. There right next to the opulent Taj advantageous benefits of was a healthy sprinkling of non- Mahal Palace hotel in South membership of the RNC&RAYC is residential Club members and Mumbai, overlooking the the access your membership other guests at lunch and in the Gateway of India and the affords to a vast network of evenings, as well as for morning Arabian Sea beyond. The Club reciprocal clubs both on home soil coffee and afternoon tea in the regularly conducts sailing events, and around the world. palm-fringed verandah lounge and membership is very Here, the clubs very own Vice (with its rattan chairs and little exclusive. Of interest to RNRAYC President, Vice Admiral Sir Alan bells on each table to summon colleagues, Wikipedia notes that Massey KCB, CBE kindly shares the waiting staff!). In short, a Admiral Sir Jonathon Band as his recent experience visiting the pretty vibrant place. First Sea Lord, together with Royal Bombay Yacht Club. Lady Sarah, visited in 2006. The Club is well preserved, with an Ranji and I visited the RBYC, under endearing air of faded grandeur our Club's reciprocal in places, and with lovely public arrangements, in February 2019. rooms and generously sized We had originally planned just to bedrooms. For fans of attendant- have dinner, but when we realised operated lifts with mesh doors, that accommodation was available the Club is a dream! It's in a - and at a rate vastly below that of busy, quite touristy part of the comparable hotels in the area - we city but well guarded inside its decided to book a room for all perimeter and gardens. There's We were made extremely four nights of our stay in Mumbai. plenty of good shopping around welcome. For one reason and And we were not disappointed. - as Ranji can testify! - notably in another we arrived, bedraggled, the famous Colaba Road. at midnight but were still Do visit - the Royal Bombay treated to exceptional courtesy Yacht Club would love to see and service, not least by the you! crisply uniformed ex-Ghurka/ex- Indian Army on door duty. For a full list of reciprocal clubs or for Throughout the four days we more information regarding the could not fault the attentiveness access of reciprocal clubs please and helpfulness of every single enquire at Reception or visit staff member, from top to www.rnc-rayc.co.uk JANUARY 2020

Club Reopens - New Menu Launches Friday Club Fish Night Thursday 2 January Friday 17 January Smart Casual Bar open 1800 Club Friday To beat the post Christmas 'Blues' the Chef's will be Friday 3 January Smart Casual offering members a delectable Friday night menu of fish Bar open 1800 dishes to be washed down with selected white wines or fizz Food available from the bar menu with drink promotions on the night on the night Sunday Lunch in the Bar Sunday Lunch in the Bar Sunday 19 January Smart Casual Sunday 5 January Smart Casual Bar open 1200 - 1500 Bar open 1200 - 1500 Lunch 1230 - 1400 Lunch 1230 - 1400 Two course Sunday Lunch served in the Members Bar Two course Sunday Lunch served in the Members Bar

Burns Night Strictly Ballroom Friday 24 January Black Tie with Miniatures Wednesday 8 January Smart Casual 1900 for 1930 Bar open 1830 See our inside feature for full details of the clubs highlight Dancing 2000 Join us for an evening of dining and dancing led by Elaine of January Sanderson of the Victory School of Dance who will take you through the steps and sequences. One course dining Carvery Sunday with a chioce between two main courses, coffee and petit Sunday 26 January Smart Casual fours included for £18 Bar open 1200 - 1500 Carvery 1300 - 1400 The Commodore's Supper with guest speaker Two course Carvery Lunch served in the Trafalgar Sir Robin Knox-Johnston Dining Room Thursday 9 January Jacket and Tie 1900 for 1930 Club Friday Tapas Night The first Commodore's Supper of 2020 is honoured by a Friday 31 January Smart Casual familiar face and new honorary RNC&RAYC club Bar open 1800 member Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who will kick off the Enjoy an array of Spanish cuisine amongst friends new year with an entertaining and nostalgic look at his with sharing portions of authentic classics accompanied by '80 years' as a yachtsman and his various selected Spanish wines achievemements during his expansive time at sea.

Club Friday FORWARD DATES Friday 10 January Smart Casual Bar open 1800 Food available from the bar menu with drink promotions Carvery Sunday on the night Sunday 9 February

Carvery Sunday Sunday 12 January Smart Casual Bar open 1200 - 1500 Carvery Sunday Carvery 1300 - 1400 Sunday 23 February Two course Carvery Lunch served in the Trafalgar Dining Room Candelit Valentines Supper Lunch and Film Club 'Singing in the Rain' Friday 14 February

Thursday 16 January Smart Casual Lunch 1200 Film 1400 As a trial in January we will be conducting our monthly As always we appreciate member feedback and film showing as an afternoon affair rather than on the suggestions for past and future events. Please use the usual Friday evening. Why not take advantage of our suggestions box in Reception or email January wine offer and bring friends to enjoy a classic? [email protected]