Why Squadron?

Groups of Naval vessels used to be grouped as Sqadrons, they were smaller groups than a fleet, often used in reference to frigates.

Originally posted by JimC I have a feeling I read somewhere that in the very early (maybe even pre 19th C) days of the Royal Yacht Squadron.....

The RYS was founded in 1815. http://www.rys.org.uk/da/11662 

 

Thanks for the replies - I am a member of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
but cannot find anyone who is able to give me a satisfactory answer! I
understand the link with the naval 'squadron', but no real explanation as to
why a 'Club' or 'Squadron' - other than a committee wanting a more naval
link?

The oldest yacht club of all is the one now called the Royal Cork YC (founded 1720) and playing navy games formed part of their early activities. See http://www.royalcork.com/index.php?option=com_content&ta sk=view&id=15&Itemid=53

And from http://www.rys.org.uk/da/49594:

The first mention of a Commodore is in the Club Minutes of 18 June 1822. A tradition of parading the yachts as part of the Regatta had begun in 1814 but the 1822 Minutes record that on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month [i.e. through the summer], Club yachts would assemble in Cowes Roads for the purpose of sailing together under the directions of a Commodore to be appointed for the day. A further Minute, a month later, suggests this had not worked quite as planned, stating 'the original proposition of assembling the vessels … [had been] … made with a far different view from that of racing and shewing superiority of sailing'. It went on to give more detailed instructions for squadron sailing to 'tend to the comfort of all, and particularly of the ladies who may honor the meeting with their presence'.

 

Edited by Stefan Lloyd

Is it bad of me to sugges that the Syndney Yacht Squadron adopted the name partly to ape the RYS?

I've never been a member of a club that runs a flag up the mast for the commodore, or where the flag officers (ooh, naval term!) wear silly blazers with brass buttons. Or even one where the commodore gets a good parking space- be that car or boat park!