HMS St.Mathew Cup History
Information about HMS St. Mathew. In 1940 the Admiralty requisitioned part of the Royal
Burnham Yacht Club’s premises to house administrative staff for crews sent to man the Coastal
Force boats under the command of Captain Dane RN. At the same time the Royal Corinthian
Yacht Club was taken over to accommodate the boys of the Training Ship EXMOUTH.
The Royal Maritime Training Centre was then transferred from Dartmouth to Burnham and
commissioned as HMS ST.MATHEW. Captain Dane was still in command and he and his staff
took over the Royal Burnham Yacht Club, whose members were made honorary members of the
Officers Mess based in their own clubhouse. The Navy in charge of landing craft, the Coastal
Forces crews and the WRNS were all billeted around the town with the Marines at the Royal
Corinthian and their officers at Creeksea Place. Some were billeted at the Crouch Yacht Club
and Nissen Huts were built at the Royal Burnham Yacht Club to house sick bays.
In appreciation of the co-operation between the town, yacht clubs and the personnel of HMS ST.
MATHEW, Captain Dane and his officers presented the Council with a trophy to be known as
the HMS ST.MATHEW Cup and it was agreed that the four yacht clubs would race for the
trophy annually, originally intending the inaugural race in 1946. However it was not possible to
organise enough boats or crews so soon after the end of war and it was postponed until the
following year.
Each year one of the Clubs provided four one-design boats to enable all the Clubs to participate,
with a draw for boats, owners not being allowed to sail in their own boat. The races were
extremely competitive and club members considered it a privilege to represent their club to try
and win this prestigious trophy. In 1950 the United Hospitals Sailing Club became part of the
competition and continued to compete until the club moved away from Burnham.
At a recent meeting of Burnham Week it was decided to revitalise the HMS St. Mathew Cup this
year 2019 the event is hosted by The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, each team will be made up
of 20 members who will compete in an Elite, RBOD, RCOD, 2 Squibs and a 707. One river race
starting with a mid-morning briefing. Prize giving after racing.
This new format will be used by all three clubs. Next year 2020 Burnham Sailing Club will host
the event and in 2021 it will the Royal Burnham Yacht Clubs event.
