Club History

March 23, 2009

The Club was founded in 1932 and its legal status under the title “Royal” was granted in 1950 by Sir Allan Lascelles, Secretary to King George VI.

The Yacht Club as it was known prior to the title “Royal” was located between Stinson Jetty and Nabukalou Creek along Suva’s fore shore from 1932 to 1938.

Construction on the new site in Walu Bay began in September 1937 and was completed in August 1948.

The following were the flag officers to the club in 1932 and they were Commodore Mr T M Mcguire, Vice Commodore Mr E E McGowan and Rear Commodore Mr F Reay.

Fiji Coat of Arms

The Fiji Coat of Arms was originally fixed to the bow of the Royal Colonial Ship “Viti”.

“Viti” was built in the colony of Hong Kong for the Government of Fiji and then the Western Pacific High Commission.  She was completed in 1939 and sailed for Suva in 1940.  Shortly afterwards she was taken over by the Royal Navy, converted to an escort/minesweeper, commissioned as “H.M.S. Viti” and manned by officers and ratings from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Fiji.

Based in Suva, H.M.S. Viti served in the South Pacific together with ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy until cessation of hostilities in 1945.

As transport between Fiji and New Zealand after the was at a premium “Viti” was decommissioned and employed as a passenger/cargo ship in the Suva/Auckland service until 1949 when she was sold to the Tasman Steamship Company trading between New Zealand and Australia.

The Coat of Arms was then removed from the bow and presented to the “Suva Yacht Club” by Captain Clough Blair, Managing Director, Tasman Steamship Company in honour of those members of the Suva Yacht Club who has served aboard H.M.S. “Viti” during World War II.

For most of her naval service she was commanded by Commander J.P. Mullins (Commodore/S.Y.C./R.S.Y.C. 1947 – 19550.