The Bombay Yacht Club was founded in 1846 and 30 years later, on the recommendation of Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse, Queen Victoria became the Royal Bombay Yacht Club.<br />The seafront clubhouse was built in 1881, and received a number of prominent visitors within its first ten years, including: H.R.H. Prince Arthur, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and American railroad tycoon and yachting enthusiast Mr William Kissam Vanderbilt – part owner of the 1895 America’s Cup winner, the 37.5m sloop Defender.<br />In 1894, the Commissioners of the Lord High Admiral bestowed upon the club the Blue Ensign of Her Majesty's Fleet with a Star of India surmounted by the Imperial Crown.<br />Another clubhouse was built in 1896, a blending of Venetian Gothic with Indian Saracenic, to provide accommodations for members and visiting associates.<br />Yachting received a major stimulus in 1911, when King George V and Queen Mary landed in Bombay from the Royal P&O liner, S.S. Medina.<br />In 1958, the Bombay Club was closed for not accepting Indian members. The RBYC granted honorary memberships to all Bombay Club members and provided a new home for their furniture and other effects.
