EDMUND THORNTON CRAWFORD R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1806-1885) VIEW FROM LEITH ROADS OF THE REGATTA OF THE Signed and dated 1836, oil on canvas

(46cm x 83cm (18in x 32.5in))

Exhibited: Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, 1837, no.81 Note: The Royal Eastern Yacht Club is the oldest of the East Coast clubs. It was founded in 1835 on December 31st, when an influential committee was convened to consider the expediency of holding a regatta in the following year, under the auspices of a club to be called the Eastern Regatta Club. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Provosts of Leith, Musselburgh and Dunbar, and about two dozen of the leading county gentlemen interested in sport, formed themselves into an interim committee for the purpose. The Duke of Buccleuch was elected Commodore and the Earl of Caithness Vice-Commodore of the club. The support accorded to the committee was such as to encourage them to form a permanent club, and the scheme was so heartily taken up that within a few months the Eastern Yacht Club was formed. On June 30th 1836, the Lords of the Admiralty granted a warrant authorizing the fleet to wear the blue ensign of His Majesty’s Navy and the royal patronage of the club was bestowed by H. M. William IV. In that year, the first Commodore of the Royal Eastern Yacht Club was His Grace the fifth Duke of Buccleuch.