And each yacht, when racing, was required to fly at her gaff-end a white flag with a red St. George's cross, and the number of blue balls answering to the number of her position at the starting line, yachts being obliged to get under way from moorings with sails furled. The first commodore of the club was Mr. Smith, who appears to have been the proprietor of Smith's Gardens, known later as Cumberland Gardens. He held office until 1779, when Thomas Taylor became commodore.
Commodore Taylor appears to have been an enthusiastic yachtsman and an excellent commander. He built and owned several yachts,—celebrated in their day. One of his notes, attached to a list of signals issued in 1779, reads: "Amusement being the principal Business of the Society the Commodore hopes every Captain will answer his signal as soon as the situation of the Vessel he commands will Admit: he flatters himself the rather in this, when he considers the Spectators will Judge from thence of the Excellence of the respective vessels, the Propriety of the Management of each and the good disposition of the Whole. N. B.—Each Signal to be kept flying only about five minutes, yet still to be observed until another is hoisted."
From which it appears that the fleet not only raced but cruised under the orders of the commodore, and in the year 1776, went up the Thames with "colours flying and music playing, in honor of the King's Birthday." In 1778 the fleet held a review off Sheerness, commemorated by Kitchingman in an engraving, which is here reproduced.
