The Duke of Edinburgh, who, as already remarked, had been patron, assumed in 1871 the duties of commodore, a post he is still holding; the club had become Royal in the previous winter. The limit in the number of members was increased from 200 to 300, and the club burgee also underwent a change. Up to this date the club had sailed under no fewer than four different burgees. The original flag consisted of a red anchor on a blue field, but this only enjoyed a short life, as the anchor was changed into an Irish crown before the first season was over. In 1859, the flag appeared with a white ground, a blue cross with four points at the intersection of the cross forming the design, and in 1861 the field was changed again from white to red, with the new device of a yellow foul anchor. Now for the last time the device was altered from the ordinary foul anchor to that of a foul patent Trotman under an Imperial crown. The patent improved anchor represents the club's leading position as a Corinthian yacht racing society.
Besides five champion cups of the several values of 120_l._, 60_l._, 35_l._, 25_l._, and 15_l._, one in fact for each class, the Duke of Edinburgh presented a 50_l._ cup. A gale of wind sprang up during the race for this prize, which was won by Mr. George Putland in the 'Enid.' She was the only one of all the yachts that crossed the line--flying starts were instituted this year--to finish the course, and it was the rounding of the Kish Lightship in this race by the 'Enid' that Admiral Beechy took as the subject of one of his most celebrated sea pictures. The 'Egeria,' schooner, was disabled very early in the race by the carrying away of the iron strop round her boom.
During the season of 1872 the club was presented with the first of the three Queen's Cups of which it has been a recipient. Matches during the summer alternated each Saturday with cruises in fleet under one of the club officers, with regard to which one great point should be noticed, viz., that it has been the custom to sail only one match as a rule on each of the racing Saturdays. There are many other clubs which would do well to follow this example, as it is not infrequently next to impossible with some clubs for outport members and yacht-owners, when wishing to join in Corinthian matches, to obtain competent hands.