GIFT OF DUG de LOUBAT, PARIS OF TKX UNIVERSITY Captain ROBERT FISH YACHTSMAN'S SCRAP BOOK, OR THE Ups and Downs of Yacht Racing. EDITED BY J. F. LOUBAT NEW YORK : BRENTANO BROTHERS. 1887. Entered according to Act of Congress, 1887, by J. F. Loubat. 77377 This Scrap Book of my cruises and races in the Enchantress, I dedicate to the memory of her designer and sailing master, the late Captain 'Robert Fish. Ncio York, April, 1887. J. F. LOUBAT. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE NEW YORK YACHT CLUB. The Evening Post, New York, July 1, 1874. . . . PAGE! CHAPTER II. i THE AMERICA. The Illustrated London News, London, March 15, 1851. . . .12 " " August 9, 1851. . 13 " August 30, 1851. . . 16 CHAPTER III. THE ENCHANTRESS. Land and Water, London, July 1, 1871. . . . .25 The Daily Telegraph, St. John's, New Brunswick, July 25, 1873. . 29 CHAPTER IV. THE OCEAN RACES. The New York Herald, New York, September 25, 1873 . 32 ; ' " " " " October 8, 1873. . 36 Vlll. CONTENTS. The New York Times, New York, October 9, 1873. The New York Herald, New York, October 10, 1873. The World, New York, October 10, 1873. The New York Herald, New York. October 11, 1873. The Evening Telegram, New York, October 11, 1873. The New York Herald, New York, October 12, 1873. The World, New York, October 12, 1873. The New York Herald, New York, October 13, 1873. ' The Sun, New York, October 13, 1873. The New York Times, New York, October 13, 1873. The New York Daily Tribune, New York, October 13, 1873. The World, New York, October 13, 1873. The Commercial Advertiser, New York, October 13, 1873. The New York Herald. New York, October 15, 1873. October 18, 1873. October 23, 1873. 43 45 52 58 60 62 73 78 86 92 96 98 100 102 103 106 CHAPTER V. THE CAPE MAY CHALLENGE CUP RACE. The New York Herald, New York, September 23, 1873. September 25, 1873. The Field, London, October 11, 1873. The New York Herald, New York, October 14, 1873. Tne Sun, New York, October 14, 1873, The World, New York, October 14, 1873. The Evening Mail, New York, October 14, 1873. The Sun, New York, October 15, 1873. The New York Times, New York, October 15, 1873. The World, New York, October, 15,*1873. The New York Times, New York, October 17, 1873. The World, New York, October 20, 1873. The Sun, New York, October 21, 1873. The New York Times, New York, October 21, 1873. The World, New York, October 21, 1873. The Evening Mail, New York, October a 21, 1873. The New York Herald, New York, October 24, 1873. The New York Times, New York, October^24, 1873. The World, New York, October 24, 1873. 133 CONTENTS. IX. CHAPTER VI. MB. J. F. LOUBAT'S GIFT TO THE PILOTS. The New York Herald, New York, October 26, 1873. . . 136 October 29, 1873. . . 137 Letter from the New York and New Jersey Pilots, New York, November 11, 1873. . . . . .138 CHAPTER VII. THE ENCHANTRESS GOES TO COWES. Letter from the New York Pilots, New York, October 29, 1873. . 140 The New York Times, New York, November 2, 1873. . . 140 The New York Herald, New York, November 9, 1873. . . 140 The Spirit of the Times, New York, December 27, 1873. . 141 The Field, London, February 28, 1874. . 141 Bell's Life in London, London, May 2, 1874. . 142 May 30, 1874. . 142 The Field, London, July 4, 1874. 145 CHAPTER VIII. AN INTERNATIONAL YACHT RACE. SOCIETE DES REGATES DU HAVRE. Official Circular, Havre, March 15, 1874. . . 146 Official Circular, Havre, le 25 Juillet, 1874. . .148 Bell's Life in London, London, August, 1, 1874. . . 150 The Field, London, August 1, 1874. . . . .156 CHAPTER IX. THE INTERNATIONAL CHANNEL MATCH. YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE. Official Circular of the Yacht Club de France and of the Royal Albert Yacht Club 161 CONTENTS. The Commercial Advertiser, New York, July 29, 1874. . 163 The New York Times, New York, July 31, 1874. . . 164 Bell's Life in London, London, August 1, 1874. . . . 164 The Field, London, August 1, 1874 171 Hunt's Yachting Magazine, London, September, 1874 . . . 180 CHAPTER X. THE PKINCE OF WALES'S CHALLENGE CUP BAGS. Boyal Yacht Squadron Official Programs. , Bell's Life in London, London, August 8, 1874. The Field, London, August 8, 1874. The Daily News, London, August 10, 1874. The Field, London, August 15, 1876. Hunt's Yachting Magazine, London, September 1874. CHAPTER XI. MK. LOUBAT'S FIRST EUROPEAN CHALLENGE. The Times, London, August 14, 1874. . . " . Bell's Life in London, London, August 15, 1874. . . 190 The Field, London, August 15, 1874. 191 The Evening Express, New York, August 15, 1874, . . 191 CHAPTER XII. THE ENCHANTRESS IN ENGLAND. The Fly Away, ....... 193 The Yankee Boat. ...... 194 The Field, London, October 10, 1874. .... 195 The Evening Post, New York, November 24, 1874. . 195 The Field, London, October 17, 1874. .... 199 The Hampshire Advertiser, Southampton, October 17, 1874. 199 The Field, London, October 31, 1874. 200 CONTENTS. XI. CHAPTER XIII. THE ENCHANTRESS IN M RussiA AND IN SWEDEN. The Times, London. July, 1875 ..... 201 Brentano's Aquatic Monthly, New York, April, 1879. . 204 The New York Times, New York, August 9, 1875. . . 206 The American Eegister, Paris, September 25, 1875. . 217 The Commonwealth, Boston, November 6, 1875. . . . 218 CHAPTER XIV. MR. LOUBAT'S CUP TO THE ROYAL ALBERT YACHT CLUB. The Evening Post, New York, July 7, 1875. ... 223 Hunt's Yachting Magazine, London, September, 1875. . 224 Letter of Thanks from the Royal Albert Yacht Club. . . 227 CHAPTER XV. THE YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION. Sailing Rules, 1876 ...... 228 CHAPTER XVI. THE RULE OF THE ROAD AT SEA. The Field, London, April 8, 1876. . . . 239 " September, 1876. . . .240 May 27, 1876. . . . . 241 The Rule of the Road at Sea. ... . . .242 CHAPTER XVII. MR. LOUBAT'S SECOND EUROPEAN CHALLENGE. The American Register, Paris, April 15, 1876. . . . 243 Bell's Life in London, London, April 15, 1876. . . 244 Xll. CONTENTS. The Field, London, April 15, 187G. Land and Water, London, April 15, 1876. Hunt's Yachting Magazine, London, May 1876. The New York Herald, New York, April 16, 1876. Galignanis Messenger, Paris, April 18, 1876. The American Eegister, Paris, June 27, 1876. 245 245 246 246 247 247 CHAPTER XVIII. THE LOUBAT CAPE MAY CUP RACE. The New York, Herald, New York, March 26, 1875. The New York Times, New York, August 23, 1876. The New York Herald, New York, October 15, 1876. 249 250 251 CHAPTER XIX. MISCELLANEOUS. The Field, London, October 6, 1877 258 The Illustrated Sporting Dramatic Times, New York, June 12, 1878. 258 Sunday Times & Noah's Weekly Messenger, New York, July 14, 1878. 263 CHAPTER XX. THE NEW YOBK PILOT BOAT JOSEPH F. LOUBAT, No. 16. The Pilot's Invitation, New York, December 14, 1880. The New York Herald, New York December 19, 1880. The New York Times, New York, December 19, 1880. The World, New York, December 19, 1880. 267 268 269 270 CHAPTER XXI. THE DEATH or CAPTAIN ROBERT FISH. The Sun, New York, January 18, 1883. " January 20, 1883. The World, New York, January 20, 1883. The World, New York, March 24, 1887. LIST OF PLATES. 1. CAPTAIN ROBERT FISH, frontispiece. 2. THE AMERICA, . . . . Page, 16 3. THE INTERNATIONAL CHANNEL MATCH, . . . 161 3. THE ENCHANTRESS, ...... . 193 4. THE NEW YORK PILOT BOAT JOSEPH F. LOUBAT, No. 16, 267 A YACHTSMAN'S SCRAP BOOK. CHAPTER 1. THE NEW YORK YACHT CLUB The Evening Post, New York, July 1, 1874. THE NEW YORK YACHT CLUB. THE ORIGINAL MEETING. On the afternoon of the 30th of July, 1844, a number of gentlemen, in pursuance of a previous notice, assembled on board the yacht Gimcrack, then lying off the Battery, for the purpose of organizing a yacht club. There were present John C. Stevens, Hamilton Wilkes, John C. Jay, George L. Schuyler, Louis A. Depau, George B. Rollins, James M. Waterbury and James Rogers. At that meeting it was resolved that the title of the club be the New York Yacht Club; that the gentlemen present be the original members of the club ; that John C. Stevens be commodore thereof ; and that a committee of five be appointed by the commodore to report rules and regulations for the government of the club. The following gentlemen were appointed, namely : John C. Stevens, George L. Schuyler, John C. Jay, Hamilton Wilkes, Captain Rogers. It was further resolved that the club 2 A Yacht smans Scrap Book. should make a cruise to Newport, Rhode Island, under command of the commodore, and Friday, August 2, at 9 o'clock A. M., was the time appointed for starting. At this meeting the following yachts were represented : Gimcrack John C. Stevens Spray Hamilton Fish Cygnet William Edgar La Coquille John C. Jay Dream George L. Schuyler Mist Louis A. Depau Minna James M. Waterbury Petrel George B. Kollins Ida Captain Kogers THE FIRST CRUISE. On the 2d of August the foregoing yachts, with the exceptioi of the Ida, sailed on the first cruise of the New York Yacht Club. The fleet stopped at Huntington, on Long Island, New Haven, Gardiner's Bay and Oyster Pond Point, arriving at New- port on Monday afternoon, August 5, and leaving again for New York on the llth. From these modest beginnings thirty years ago, has grown the present magnificent fleet composing the New York Yacht Squadron, numbering thirty-eight schooners, twenty two sloops and nine steamers. THE FIRST DINNER AND THE FLAG. The next meeting of the club was held at Windust's, in thi city on the 17th of March, 1845. Some routine business w transacted ; new members were elected, and the secretary was requested to have a flag ready for exhibition at the next meet- ing. The first Yacht Club dinner took place at the Astor House on the 9th of April, 1845. At a meeting at Delmonico's on June 3, 1845, a flag was adopted. THE FIRST RACE. The first trial of speed between the yachts took place on the 5 17th of July, 1845, from off the Elysian Fields, under the di- H The New York Yacht Club. 3 rection of the Committee of the Regatta, the following yachts entering for the race : Cygnet, 45 tons ; Sibyl, 42 tons ; Spray, 37 tons ; La Coquille, 27 tons ; Minna, 30 tons; Gimcrack, 25 tons ; Newburgh, 33 tons ; Addy, 17 tons ; The Lancet, 20 tons. THE OLD CLUB HOUSE AT HOBOKEN. At that time the Yacht Club House was at the Ely si an Fields, Hoboken. Old members will remember its charming lo- cation and the pleasant dinners which were had there in early spring, and during the yachting season. On the 18th of Febru- ary, 1846, a first appropriation of $500 was made to furnish this cottage Club House. On the 24th of June following, a further sum of $250 was appropriated for the same purpose. In those early days economy was more necessary, and more widely prac- tised than in the present age of greenbacks and " inflation." William Edgar, treasurer, in February, 1846, read his report of the receipts and expenses of the club since its formation, showing a balance in his hands of $881.13. THE MAKIA. Commodore Stevens's yacht, the Maria, modelled by himself, embodied at that time all the latest improvements in naval archi- tecture. She was built entirely for speed, and was for many years the crack boat of the squadron. But she was not destined to carry the flag of the New York Yacht Club abroad to achieve the great triumph over our English cousins at the Royal Yacht Squadron regatta at Cowes, in 1851. THE AMERICA. The America, whose name has since become famous among nautical men the world over, was built and modelled by George Steers for John C. Stevens, Hamilton Wilkes, George L. Schuy- ler, James Hamilton, J. Beekman Finlay and Edwin A. Stevens, who were jointly interested as her owners. She was launched in 1851 in this city from the yard of W. H. Brown. She was 94 feet on deck from stem to stern, and measured 170 tons, cus- A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. torn house old tonnage. She was built with a stipulation that she should beat any vessel in the country, and any one of her size in England. In this event the builder was to receive $30,000 for her. But before she crossed the ocean she had four or five trials with the Maria by the wind, with the wind free, and before the wind and the Maria proved the faster craft in every trial. The America was accordingly purchased for $20,000, and sent over to test her speed with the English yachts in compliance with an invitation from the members of the Royal Yacht Club at Cowes. THE VOYAGE TO EUROPE. She saiied from New York on the 21st of June, 1851, with a crew of thirteen, all told ; and arrived at Havre on the 12th of July, after an excellent passage of twenty-one days, during which she was under the reduced canvas of a temporary suit of sails. At Havre she was painted and refitted before sailing for Cowes> where she arrived on the 31st of July. She excited considerable interest among the members of the Royal Yacht Squadron and other yacht clubs at Cowes, and was visited by a great number of persons interested in nautical affairs. THE CHALLENGE. On arriving at Cowes, Commodore Stevens issued the follow- ing challenge : " The New York Yacht Club, in order to test the relative merits of the different models of the schooners of the Old and New Worlds, propose through Commodore Stevens to the Royal Yacht Squadron to run the America against any number of schooners belonging to any of the yacht squadrons of the kingdom, to be selected by the commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron. The course to be in some part of the English Channel outside of the Isle of Wight, with at least a six-knot breeze. This trial of speed to be made at an early day, to be se- lected by the commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron. The fact whether there be such a breeze on the appointed day to be decided by the commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron. And The New York Ypeht Club. 5 if on that day there shall not be at least a six-knot breeze, then on the first day thereafter that such a breeze shall blow." Here was a gage thrown down to the whole kingdom, the only stipu- lation being that the America should be matched with schooners, and that she should at least have a six-knot breeze. This was bold language for a stranger in a strange land. But the Englishmen were shy, very shy, in taking up the gauntlet. Finally Mr. Stevenson, of the Titania accepted the challenge. THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA. Meanwhile the America was entered for the Royal Yacht Squadron regatta, which came off on the 22d of August, 1851, at Cowes. The race was for the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup of 100. There were eighteen entries. It is needless to repeat here the thrice-told tale of the victory of the America. Suffice to say that, starting at 10 o'clock A. M., she went around the Isle of Wight and passed the flagship as winner at 8 h., 34 m.; the Aurora was announced at 8 h., 58 m. ; the Bacchante at 9 h. 30 m. ; the Eclipse at 9 li. 45 min. ; the Bril- liant at 1 h. 20 min. ; no account of the rest. The cup was awarded to the owners of the America. At a dinner given at the Astor House on October 1, 1851, by the New York Yacht Club to Commodore John C. Stevens, Edwin A. Stevens, and Colonel J. A. Hamilton, on their return home from their triumphal cruise in the America, the Commodore spoke of the race as the race for the " Queen's Cup"; and the cup won by the America has been misnamed the " Queen's Cup." It was, as before stated, the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup. THE RACE FOR THE QUEEN'S CUP. The America entered for the Queen's Cup with nine other yachts ; but as there was but a six-knot breeze she did not start with the squadron. She went out, however, as far as the Nab Light, and it is said she made one reach with the most ex- traordinary movement from the Nab to Stokes Bay, and by another tack rounded the Brilliant in gallant style. To accom- A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. plish the same feat the Alarm took ten tacks and the Volante made about twenty. The America did not leave the starting point for an hour and five minutes after the yachts had started to compete for the prize, but she accomplished the distance, up- wards of seventy-two miles, within ten minutes of the Wildfire, and gained in rounding forty-five minutes. If, therefore, the " Yankee," as she was called, had proceeded with the match, would have won a second prize. THE RACE WITH THE TITANIA. The match between the America and Titania came off on 28th of August, 1851. The course appointed for the trial was that they should proceed outside the island to a distance of twenty miles southeast of the Nab Light, where a station vessel was to be placed, and the yachts, having rounded the same, were to make their way back to the Nab Light. The America Was an easy winner. She received no more challenges. \ re- SUBSEQUENT HISTORY OF THE AMERICA. It may not be uninteresting to follow the fortunes of this markable vessel. Before leaving England, Commodore Stevens sold her for 5,000 to John de Blaquire, captain in the Indian army, who sold her to Lord Templeton, from whom she was bought by Mr. Pritchard, a shipbuilder at Northfleet, England, and rebuilt by him in 1859 and sold to H. E. Decie, who made a cruise in her to the Mediterranean. After that time nothing was heard of her until, during the late Rebellion, she was found by the United States frigate Wabash, scuttled in the St. John's River, in Florida. She was raised, brought north, repaired > rigged, and used as a practice-ship for the cadets at the United States Naval Academy at Newport, in Rhode Island, and after- wards at Annapolis, in Maryland. On August 8, 1870, she was entered for the regatta against the British yacht Cambria, and came in fourth, making the race over the New York Yacht Club course in 4 h., 23 m., 51 s. Mr. Decie, during his owner- ship, changed her name to Camilla, under which name he The New York Yacht Club. 7 made the cruise to the Mediterranean, and arrived thence at Savannah, in Georgia, by way of Porto Grande, Cape de Yerd, in April, 1861, where he, no doubt, sold her, which accounts for her being on the American coast at the time of the Rebellion. THE WANDERER. The members of the New York Yacht Club have ever been prompt to preserve untarnished the fame and honor of the organ- ization. We find many instances of this in looking over the annals of their proceedings, and cite a notable instance of their action in such matters, had at a general meeting held February 3, 1859. In a communication to the Senate from the President of the United States, January 12, 1859, the fact having been officially stated that a cargo of more than three hundred negros from the coast of Africa had been landed in Georgia, from the schooner Wanderer, and the vessel thus designated being on the list of yachts forming the New York Yacht Squadron, it was unanimously " resolved, that the name of the v^acht Wanderer be erased from the list, and that William C. Corrie, proprietor of said yacht and a member of this club, primarily for his deliberate violation of the laws of the United States, but more especially for being engaged in a traffic repugnant to humanity and to the moral sense of the members of this association, be and he hereby is expelled from the New York Yacht Club." PATRIOTISM OF MESSRS. BENNETT AND IVES. During the first year of the Rebellion, Messrs. Bennett and Ives offered their yachts the Henrietta and the Hope to the United States government. They were duly accepted and com- missioned as revenue cutters, in which capacity they did efficient coast service from the port of New York down to Florida. THE HENRIETTA, FLEETWING AND VESTA. We next hear of the Henrietta in September, 1865, as beaten by the Fleetwing in a race around Cape May lightship. In October of the same year she was beaten by the Vesta over the 8 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. same course. Nothing daunted, the Henrietta in 1866 entered the lists against her victors for the great Ocean Yacht Race and a purse of $90,000, each competitor putting up $30,000. This contest was at the time a subject of the deepest interest, both here and abroad. THEIR OCEAN RACE. On the llth of December, 1866, these three schooners, of little more than two hundred tons each, assembled at Sandy Hook to start across the Atlantic Ocean, having chosen that in- clement season, as most likely to afford a quick passage. The Vesta, built by David Caril, and launched in 1866, was supposed to embody the most recent improvements in the way of speed. The Fleetwing, built by J. B. Yan Dusen, and launched in 1865, was one year older. The Henrietta, modelled by William Tooker, and built by Henry Steers, was launched in June, 1861, and was therefore at the time of the race five years old. There had been wonderful improvements in naval architecture since August 2, 1492, when Columbus set sail from the little port of Palos with three frail vessels to cross the same ocean in search of the Spice Islands, the mythical kingdom of Cathay and the Great Kahn. Could we but see a model of the Nina or the Santa Maria alongside that of the Sappho, how interesting would be the study ! Columbus was seventy-one days at sea be- fore landing at St. Salvador at sunrise on the morning of Octo- ber 12, 1492. The three schooners of the New York Yacht Club from Sandy Hook were not so long in reaching Cowes. The Henrietta arrived in 13 days, 21 hours, 55 minutes. The Fleetwing " " 14 " 6 " 10 The Vesta " " 14 " 6 " 50 SUBSEQUENT HISTORY OF THE HENRIETTA. In preparing for the Ocean Race, the Henrietta had spars considerably reduced, and her bowsprit shortened. After returning home, she was laid up, and subsequently sold to R. H. The New York Yacht Club. 9 Hnrrington, for the fruit trade, made several successful voyages, and was lost on the coast of Honduras, December 16, 1872, on a voyage to New York. THE SAPPHO AND THE DAUNTLESS. In 1869 the Sappho, W. P. Douglas, owner, made the shortest trip across the Atlantic, which has yet been accom- plished by a yacht, sailing from New York to Queenstown in 12 d., 9 h., 36 m. The Dauntless, J. G. Bennett, owner, made the same trip the same year in 12 d., 17 h., 6 m. INCORPORATION OF THE CLUB. In 1865, an act incorporating the New York Yacht Club was passed by the New York Legislature. By it " Edwin A. Stevens, Ambrose C. Kingsland, Alexander Major, Robert S. Hone, William H. McYickar, Anson Livingston, Hamilton Morton and such other persons as are now associated as a yacht club in the city of New York and may hereafter become associated with them," were constituted a body corporate by the name of the New York Yacht Club, to be located in the city of New York, for the purpose of encouraging yacht building and naval architecture, and the cul- tivation of naval science, with authority to purchase and hold any real or personal estate to an extent not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars. The motto of the club on its corpo- rate seal is, Nos Agimur Tumidis Velis. THE CLUB HOUSE ON STATEN ISLAND. In the spring of 1868 the club purchased from Mrs. N. H. Wolfe, for a Club House, a property on Staten Island, near the lower landing, for the sum ot $24,000, paying $9,000 cash and the balance remaining on mortgage. It contained two acres of land, sloping down to a road which separated it from the shore, about one mile this side of the narrows. Sitting on the wide piazza of the Club House a large roomy cottage in the English style one sees every vessel coming into the port of New York. With a good glass we can distinguish the features of those on io A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. deck. Until 1868 the site and Club House at the Elysian Fields, Hoboken, had been gratuitously furnished for the use of the club by John C. Stevens, Robert Stevens, and Edwin A. Stevens. On the occasion of moving to their new abode, the club, in an en- grossed letter to Mr. Edwin A. Stevens, expressed their high ap- preciation of such courtesy and liberality. The Staten Islan< property was subsequently sold. sland THE PRESENT CLUB HOUSE IN THE CITY. In November, 1872, the club took possession of its present commodious rooms, over the American Jockey Club, in the hand- some building on the southwest corner of Madison Avenue and Twenty-seventh Street. This house was originally built for club purposes, and is admirably adapted to its present uses. The Yacht Club occupy the whole of the second story, consisting of three rooms, comfortably and luxuriously furnished. The walls are covered with models of yachts. There are at least a hundred and twenty different models. The front room, looking u^on Madison Avenue, contains magazines, newspapers and other periodicals. The walls are covered with nautical engravings. Over the mantelpiece, and above a beautiful model of the Sap- pho, which stands thereon, hangs a portrait of Commodore Stevens. The middle room contains large and comfortable sofas and writing tables. The bar-room occupies a portion of the third room. There are four hundred and sixty-three members. The entrance fee is fifty dollars. The yearly dues are twenty-five dollars. THE MODELS OF THE YACHTS. The model of every yacht entered for a regatta is the prop erty of the club, and is retained in its possession ; and no person other than a United States naval constructor shall be permitted to copy it, unless he shall have obtained written authority from the owner or builder of the yacht. THE ENCHANTRESS. The New York Yacht Club will not be formally represented The New York Yacht Club. n in English waters this season ; but Mr. J. F. Loubat, an Ameri- can gentleman, who makes his home abroad, while on a visit to this country last year bought from George S. Lorillard the yacht Enchantress. During the past winter he has had her lengthened and altered in England, under the direction of her original mod- eller, Eobert Fish, at an expense of some fifteen or twenty thou- sand dollars. Mr. Fish went abroad not only to superintend the lengthening of the Enchantress, but likewise to act as sailing master for Mr. Loubat. We wish Mr. Loubat success, and we have no doubt that when the Enchantress is next heard from she will give a good account of herself. THE PRESENT OFFICERS OF THE CLUB. The officers of the club for the year 1874 are as follows : Commodore James Gordon Bennett. Vice-Commodore William P. Douglas. Rear- Commodore George L. Kingsland. Secretary Charles A. Minton. Treasurer Sheppard Homans. Measurer A. Gary Smith. Fleet Surgeon L. De Forest Woodruff, M.D. Regatta Committee William. Krebs, Edward E. Chase, William B. Bend. House Committee Fletcher Westray, George W. Kidd, John G. Beresford, Thomas T. Law- rence, N. D. White the secretary, ex-officio. CHAPTER II. THE AMERICA. The Illustrated London News, London, Saturday, May 15, 1851. NEW AMERICAN YACHT. A yacht is now building at New York, to complete with tl English yachts, next summer at Cowes. The builder, Mr. "W. H. Brown, is to receive about one-third more than her value (say 24 a ton) if she succeeds in outsailing any competitors of the same tonnage in England. Her con- struction is on a novel principle; drawing 10 feet, aft, she tapers away forward to about half that draught, and is totally without any gripe. Aft, her keel is about 30 inches deep, diminishing in depth forward, and gradually ascending in a graceful curve into cutwater and stem. Her tonnage, 175 tons; length, 94ft extreme breadth, 23 ft., 6 in.; depth of hold, 9 ft. Her timb< are a foot apart, filled in on both sides with eighteen pigs 01 bars of iron, which weigh 12 cwt. each, and have small projec- tions or shoulders, which let into the timbers, and prevent any contact with outside planking. In addition, eighteen square pigs, each 1J cwt., are placed on the main keel, fitting exacth between the timbers. She has, therefore, upwards of 21 tons ballast, built and tightly wedged into her sides. As she onJ requires about as much more ballast, it is calculated that sh< will be able to stow it with great ease, and have room to spare. The America. 13 She is cross-braced inside with long iron bands, well secured to the timbers. The intelligent foreman, Mr. Steers, as well as the American gentlemen who are to own her, if she succeeds, are very sanguine of success. This is an original and spirited undertaking, and will, if suc- cessful, completely alter the present system of yacht architec- ture. We do not, however, think she can compete with the sharp and deep English yachts. Whatever the result may be, it cannot fail of being extremely interesting and valuable to both countries. As a model, she is artistic, although rather a viola- tion of the old established ideas of naval architecture. The Illustrated London News, London, Saturday, August 9, 1851. ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICAN CLIPPER YACHT AMERICA, OF THE NEW YORK YACHT CLUB. Accustomed as we have been to witness the symmetrical models of our own yacht clubs, we confess our opinion falters when a model of an entirely different construction, so contrary in every respect, both in build and rig, is presented to us. In our former remarks we termed the America to be "rather a vio- lation of the old established ideas of naval architecture," which all must candidly confess to be the case. In lieu of "straight lines," we have curved and hollow lines; instead of spars loaded with rigging, top hamper, and numberless small sails, we have stately masts with scarcely a rope to support them; the propel- ling power being in substance, and not in sum. In fact, in- stead of the "phantom ship," we have before us a " rakish pirati- cal-looking craft," whose appearance yi by-gone days in the Southern Atlantic would have struck terror into the soul of many a " homeward-bounder." But this yacht has traversed the Atlantic on a _ different mission; and opportunely in the year 1851, the citizen of the States brings her for fraternal compe- tition with the aristocracy of our own island. 14 A Yachts mans Scrap Book. mem- Since her arrival she has been visited by nearly every mem- ber of the Squadron, and by several scientific and naval gentle- men, and all appear to be gratified with the inspection. As some discrepancy has already appeared in the accounts of the America we have taken some pains to verify the following. She was solely designed and constructed by Mr. George Steers, of the firm of Messrs. George and James R. Steers, of New York, who are now on a visit to this country in the yacht. To the talents of the builder, the New York Yacht Club is in- debted for several of the specimens which grace their list ; among which we may name the sloop Syren, of 85 tons ; the schooner Cornelia 90 tons; Sybil, 58 tons ; Cygnet, 52 ; Coquille, 37; several of the celebrated New York pilot boats; the W. G. Wag- staff, 104 tons, supposed to be the fastest vessel of her time ; and subsequently the well-known Mary Taylor, of 75 tons, the smartest vessel in the States. As it has been whispered that the yacht, after all, has been designed and constructed by one of our own countrymen, we have authority for stating that Mr. George Steers was born in New York, and is the son of the late Mr. Henry Steers, a native of Dartmouth, England, and once connected with our naval establishment, at Plymouth, but emi- grated to the United States, and established himself in that country. The America belongs to the New York Yacht Club, and is, according to American register, 171 tons ; she is owned by J. C. Stevens, Esq., the commodore of the N. Y. Y. C., and by Messrs. C. A. Stevens, H. Wilkes, and J. B. Finlay. Her dimensions are: Feet. In. Length over all 94 , Length of keel 82 Extreme breadth 22 6 Breadth moulded 22 The dimensions of spars Foremast, 79 ft. 6 in.; mainmast, 81 ft., with 2| in. to a foot rake to both masts; bowsprit (hollow), The America. i5 32 ft., 17 of which only is outboard ; fore gaff, 24 ft. ; main gaff, 28 ft.; main boom, 56 feet. She carries three standing sails, viz.: jib, foresail, and mainsail; the foot of the latter as well as of the jib laces to the boom ; she also sets a main gaff-topsail. Her f orestay is very heavy, and is the principal supporter of the foremast. The in- ternal arrangements of the America are in chaste style, with a due regard to comfort. The fore-cabin is 21 ft. by 8 ft., with 14 berths (seven on either side) for the crew, besides state-cabins for the master and mate. The galley, or cook's department, is apart, between the fore and after cabins, a great desideratum in warm climates, which comfort, as regards the men, has been overlooked in our yachts. The fore-cabin is ventilated by a .circular sky- light, 3 ft. in diameter. Between the galley and main cabin there are two large state-rooms; there are also two other state- rooms, a pantry and wash-room. The cock-pit, as it is termed, is a circular opening abaft, of 30 ft. circumference, from which is the entrance to the main cabin. On the starboard side is the bath-room, and on the opposite is a clothes and wine-room ; and under the cock-pit is the sail-room. The main cabin, or saloon, is fitted with sofas, of mahogany and velvet, corresponding furniture, with a splendid carpet. Lockers extend the whole length of the cabin, with plate-glass panels. The internal decorations are Chinese, white and gold, with mahogany reliefs. On deck, by the mainmast, there is a break, which gives the appearance of a raised quarter-deck ; the bul- warks are only fourteen inches. She has a plain raking stern- post, and a large gilt eagle, etc., on the stern, which is elliptical. The workmanship of the whole is perfection. She is all smooth outside, and would be taken for an iron vessel by a keen eye. The shrouds under the line, about two-thirds down, are covered with white canvas, which gives her a light appearance. Her crew consists of seven hands before the mast, two mates, cook, steward, boy and master in all, thirteen hands. Whatever may be the result in her trials with some of our fast yachts, we trust that the introduction of this novel specimen 1 6 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. nrV>f will be the means of cultivating that good feeling which ought to prevail among all who contend for the palm in a fair spirit of rivalry. The owners are far beyond any mercenary ideas or speculative purposes, and, we understand, are ready to allow her sailing qualities to be tested with any yacht that may be selected for the purpose ; and, as the gain of " a cup," or a pecuniary prize, is not their object, we have no doubt, ere long, we shall be able to record something definite on the subject. The Illustrated London News, London, Saturday, August 30, 1851. THE CHALLENGE MATCH BETWEEN THE AMERICA AND THE TITANIA. This exciting contest, in which all the yachting world has evinced such deep interest, took place on Thursday off the Isle of Wight. The America was undocked at Portsmouth dock- yard at half -past nine on .Wednesday night, and went out of harbor at half-past five on Thursday morning, and at 10 A. M. she started from Cowes, and ran down to the Nab, which she left at eleven, in competition with the Titania iron schooner, 100 tons, the property of Mr. R. Stephenson, M. P., for a race of twenty miles out and twenty miles in. They started, steering S. E., with a strong wind from the W. N. W. At five o'clock the America returned in sight from Portsmouth, when about ten miles outside the Nab, but nothing could be seen of the Titania at that time. Ultimately the America completed her course became the winner by 52 minutes. ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA. VICTORY OF THE AMERICA. The race at Cowes, on Friday se'night, for the Royal Y Squadron Cup of 100, furnished our yachtsmen with an op- portunity of "realising," as our trans-atlantic brethren would say, The Illustrated London .V> ?//>-, August ?o, 1851, The America. 1 7 what those same dwellers beyond the ocean can do afloat in com- petition with ourselves. None doubted that the America was a very fast sailer, but her powers had not been measured by the test of an actual contest. Therefore, when it became known that she was entered amongst the yachts to run for the cup on Friday, the most intense interest was manifested by all classes, from the highest to the humblest, who have thronged in such masses this season to the Isle of Wight ; and even her Majesty and the Court felt the influence of the universal curiosity which was excited to see how the stranger, of whom such great things were said, should acquit herself on this occasion. The race was, in fact, regarded as a sort of trial heat, from which some antici- pation might be formed of the result of the great international contest, to which the owners of the America have challenged the yachtsmen of England, and which Mr. R. Stephenson, the eminent engineer has accepted, by backing his own schooner, the Titania, against the America. Among the visitors on Friday were many strangers French- men en route for Havre, Germans in quiet wonderment at the excitement around them, and Americans already triumphing in the anticipated success of their countrymen. The cards contain- ing the names and colours of the yachts described the course merely as being " round the Isle of Wight ;" the printed pro- gramme stated that it was to be "round the Isle of Wight, inside Noman's Buoy and Sandhead Buoy, and outside the Nab." The distinction gave rise, at the close of the race, to questioning the America's right to the Cup, as she did not sail outside the Nab Light ; but this objection was not persisted in, and the Messrs. Stevens were presented with the Cup. The following yachts were entered. They were moored in a double line. No time al- lowed for tonnage :- Tona. Owners. Beatrice, schooner . . 161 . . Sir W. P. Carew. Volante, cutter . . . . 48 . . Mr. J. L. Craigle. Arrow, cutter . . . . 84 . . Mr. T. Chamberlayne. Wyvern, schooner . . . . 205 . . The Duke of Marlborough. lone, schooner . . . . 75 . . Mr. A. Hill. 1 8 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. Tons. Owners. Constance, schooner . . 218 . . The Marquis of Conyngham. Titania, schooner . . . . 100 . . Mr. R. Stephenson. Gipsy Queen, schooner . . 160 . . Sir H. B. Hoghton. Alarm, cutter . . . . 193 . . Mr. J. Weld. Mona, cutter . . . . 82 . . Lord A. Paget. America, schooner . . . . 170 . . Mr. J. B. Stevens, &c. Brilliant, 3-mast schooner 392 . . Mr. G. H. Ackers. Bacchante, cutter . . 80 . . Mr. B. H. Jones. Freak, cutter . . . . 60 . . Mr. W. Curling. Stella, cutter . . . . 65 . . Mr. B. Frankland. Eclipse, cutter . . . . 50 .. Mr. H. S. Fearon. Fernande, schooner . . 127 . . Major Martyn. Aurora, cutter . . . . 84 . . Mr. T. Le Merchant. At 9.55 the preparatory gun was fired from the club house battery, and the yachts were soon sheeted from deck to topmast with clouds of canvas, huge gaff-topsails and balloon-jibs being greatly in vogue, and the America evincing her disposition to take advantage of her new jib by hoisting it with all alacrity. The whole flotilla not in the race were already in motion, many of them stretching down towards Osborne and Hyde to get good start of the clippers. Of the list above given the Titania and the Stella did not start, and the Fernande did not take her station (the latter was twice winner in 1850, and once this year ; the Stella won once last year). Thus, only fifteen started of which seven were schooners, including the Brilliant (three masted schooner), and eight were cutters. At 10 o'clock the signal gun for sailing was fired, and before the smoke had well cleared away the whole of the beautiful fleet was under weigh moving steadily to the east with the tide and a gentle breeze. The start was effected splendidly, the yachts breaking away like a field of race horses ; the only laggard was the America, which did not move for a second or so after the others. Steamers, shore-boats, and yachts of all sizes buzzed along on each side of the course, and spread away for miles over the rippling sea a sight such as the Adriatic never beheld in all the pride of Venice ; such, beaten though we are, as no other country in the world could exhibit ; while it is confessed that anything like it The America. 19 was never seen, even here, in the annals of yachting. Soon after they started a steamer went off from the roads, with the mem- bers of the sailing committee, Sir B. Graham, Bart., Commodore .Royal Yacht Squaldron, and the following gentlemen : Lord Exmouth, Capt. Lyou, Mr. A. Fontaine, Captain Ponsonby, Capt. Corry, Messrs. Harvey, Leslie, Greg, and Reynolds. The American Minister, Mr. Abbott Lawrence, and his son, Col. Lawrence, attache to the American legation, arrived too late for the sailing of the America, but were accommodated on board the steamer, and went round the island in her ; and several steamers, chartered by private gentlemen or for excursion trips, also accompanied the match. The Gipsy Queen, with all her canvas set, and in the strength of the tide, took the lead after starting, with the Bea- trice next, and then, with little difference in order, the Yolante, Constance, Arrow, and a flock of others. The America went easily for some time under mainsail (with a small gaff-topsail of a triangular shape, braced up to the truck of the short and slen- der stick which serves as her maintopmast), foresail, fore-staysail and jib; while her opponents had every cloth set that the Club regulations allow. She soon began to creep upon them, passing some of the cutters to windward. In a quarter of an hour she had left them all behind, except the Constance, Beatrice, and Gipsy Queen, which were well together, and went along smartly with the light breeze. The yachts were timed off Neman's Land buoy, and the character of the race at this moment may be guessed from the result: H. M. S. H. M. S. Volaute 11 7 Beatrice 11 9 15 Freak 11 8 20 Alarm 11 9 20 Aurora 11 8 30 Arrow 11 10 Gipsy Queen 11 8 45 Bacchante 11 10 15 America 11 9 The other six were staggering about in the rear, and the Wy- vern soon afterwards hauled her wind and went back towards Clowes. 2O A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. The America speedily advanced to the the front and got clear away from the rest. Off Sandown Bay, the wind freshening, she carried away her jibboorn ; but as she was well handled, the mishap produced no ill effect, and during a lull which came on in the breeze for some time subsequently, her competitors gained a trifling advantage, but did not approach her. Off Yentnor the America was more than a mile ahead of the Aurora, then the nearest of the racing squadron; and hereabouts the number of her competitors were lessened by three cutters, the Yolante hav- ing sprung her bowsprit, the Arrow having gone ashore, and the Alarm having staid by the Arrow to assist in getting her off But from the moment the America had rounded St. Catherine's point, with a moderate breeze at S. S. W., the chances of coming up with her again were over. The Wildfire, which, though not in the match, kept up with the Stranger for some time, was soon shaken off, and of the vessels in the match, the Aurora was the last that kept her in sight, until, the weather thickening, even that small comfort was lost to her. As the America approached the Needles, the wind fell, and a haze came on, not thick enough however, to be very dangerous ; and here she met and passed (saluting with her flag) the Victoria and Albert Royal yacht, with her Majesty on board. Her Majesty waited for the Aurora and then returned to Osborne, passing the America again in the Solent. About six o'clock, the Aurora, being some five or six miles astern, and the result of the race inevitable, the steamers that had accompanied the yachts bore away for Cowes, where they landed their passengers. The evening fell darkly, heavy clouds being piled along the northern shore of the strait ; and the thousands who had for hours lined the southern shore, from West Cowes long past the Castle, awaiting anxiously the appear- ance of the winner, and eagerly drinking in every rumor as to the progress of the match, were beginning to disperse, when the peculiar rig of the clipper was discerned through the gloom, and at 8 h. 34 m. o'clock (railway time, 8 h. 37m., according to the Secretary of the Royal Yacht Squadron) a gun from the flag-ship announced her arrival as the winner of the cup. The Aurora was ear The America. 2 1 announced at 8 h. 58 m.; the Bacchnnte at 9 h. 30 m. ; the Eclipse at9h. 45 m. ; the Brilliant at 1 h. 20 m. (Saturday morning). No account of the rest. On the evening after the race there was a very brilliant and effective display of fireworks by land and water along the Club House Esplanade, at which 6000 or 7000 persons were present. A reunion took place at the club house ; and the occasion was taken of Mr. Abbott Lawrence's presence to compliment him on the success of his countrymen. His Excellency acknowledged the kindness in suitable terms, and said that, though he could not but be proud of the triumph of his fellow-citizens, he still felt it was buc the children giving a lesson to the father. On Saturday evening the America sailed from Cowes to Os- borne, in consequence of the intimation that the Queen wished to inspect her. The Victoria and Albert also dropped down to Osborne. At a quarter to six, the Queen embarked in the State barge, accompanied by his Royal Highness Prince Albert and suite, and on nearing the America, the national colors of that vessel were dipped, out of respect to her Majesty, and raised again when her Majesty had proceeded on board. Her Majesty made a close inspection of the America, attended by Commodore Stevens, Colonel Hamilton, and the officers of the yacht. The Queen remained on board half an hour, and expressed great ad- miration of the general arrangements and character of this fam- ous schooner. On her Majesty leaving, the American colors were again dipped, and her Majesty proceeded in the barge to Osborne, where she arrived at half -past six o'clock. On Monday the contest was for the splendid cup presented by her Majesty, and took place at Eyde. Up to the hour of starting it had been fully expected that the American clipper would give another proof of her extraordinary powers, and great was the disappointment when the announcement was made that she would not start. The following were the entries for the Queen's Cup, the course being round the Isle of Wight : 22 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. YACHTS. TONS. OWNEKS. FLAGS. Volante 48 J. L. Craigie, Esq White. FernanCe 127 Major Martyn Purple and orange. Surprise 15 W. H. Woodhouse, Esq. .White, black Maltese. America 170 Commodore Stevens Blue, with stars. Alarm 193 J. Weld, Esq Eed and white. Wildfire 42 F. Thynne, Esq Blue and white chequered Fanny 92 H. Young, Esq Bacchante 80 B. H. Jones, Esq Blue and white cross. Constance. . . .218 Marquis of Con ynghain. . Blue, with red hand. Destiny 107 C. P. Leslie, Esq At ten o'clock the yachts took their station off Hyde pier, when, in consequence of there not being the desideratum for the America viz.: a six-knot breeze, she declined starting with the squadron, and the Fernande and the Constance were also with- drawn. At five minutes after ten o'clock the starting gun was fired from the commodore's yacht, the Brilliant, when the Wildfire, belonging to the Cork Regatta Club (which, though not in the race on Friday, headed the American clipper for a considerable distance on that occasion), was the first to get under weigh towards the westward with a light breeze from the W. S. W., with a strong ebb tide, followed by the Bacchante, and close in her lee by the Yolante and Alarm. The Needles were rounded as follows : Wildfire H. M. S. 1 15 Bacchante 1 18 Volante 1 23 Alarm . . 1 23 In making up to the starting point off Ryde, the Yolante, who appeared to have been rather badly handled, made a series of short tacks, and the Alarm taking advantage of this, made a long tack, and succeeded in first arriving off the Brilliant schooner, when the signal gun proclaimed her victorious. The following is the time of arrival : The America. 23 H. M. S. Alarm 5 26 Bacchante 5 30 Volante 5 30 Wildfire 5 31 Just before the vessels above-named had got in, the raking America was seen making her way round the Nab Light, and, with a most extraordinary movement, made one reach from the light to Stroke Bay, and by another tack rounded the Brilliant in gallant style. To accomplish the same feat that the America had performed, the Alarm took ten tacks, and the Yolante made at least twenty for the same distance. Although not in the match, and not leaving the starting point, as has been stated, for sixty-five minutes after the rest, the " Yankee " clipper, now be- come the wonder of the south, rounded the Brilliant at 5:41, there- by accomplishing the distance within ten minutes of the "Wildfire, and gaining in round numbers, forty- five minutes. Had the America, therefore, proceeded into the match at the appointed hour, there can be no doubt that the same fortunate result would here have greeted the " flying stranger," as she succeeded in obtaining last week at Cowes against the entire Royal Yacht Squadron. At about six o'clock, the visitors on the pier were much sat- isfied on observing the Fairy steam-yacht approaching from the direction of Osborne, with the Royal standard flying from the main; and it was soon made known that Her Majesty, Prince Albert, and the Royal children were on board, who had come down to witness the yachts which had contended for the prize which it is Her Majesty's intention to confer annually upon the club. After coming opposite the pier, and receiving the hearty plaudits of the spectators, the Fairy proceeded on her return to Osborne. The day being the birthday of His Royal Highness Prince Al- bert, a Royal salute was fired from the club-house in honor of that day and a similar demonstration was made by the Yen- geance, 90, lying at Spithead, which was gaily dressed with 24 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. colors of all nations from stem to stern. There were also sev- eral sailing and rowing matches among the small craft of that place, the funds for which were provided by Her Majesty. The America was fully described in our journal for August 9. As many of our readers may not be conversant with the technicalities of ship-building terms, we have endeavored in the accompanying diagram, to give the relative position of the beam (or extreme breadth), as it occurs in the old style of yacht, and in the America. Fig. 1. respresents the shape of vessels on the old plan the dotted line being the position of the beam. Fig. 2. Plan of the America. CHAPTER III. THE ENCHANTRESS. Land and Water -, London, July 1, 1871. THE AMERICAN SCHOONER YACHT ENCHANTRESS. THIS is a new vessel, built by Mr. Fish, owned by Mr. Lorillard, and sailed by Captain Reuben King ; and all four the vessel, her builder, owner, and sailing master are per- fect types of their several species as produced on the other side of the Atlantic. This, perhaps, conveys no impression to those people who are not acquainted with the Americans and their yachts, and we may therefore be permitted to say that, taken in the order already named, the four are respectfully beautiful, talented, accomplished, and bold. The Enchantress, lying where she now does among a cluster of English yachts in Cowes har- bor, looks lovely ; so graceful and so rakish ; so taut and yet so well balanced ; so racer-like, and yet so stiff and safe. A little to the south of Bannister Quay, where she is lying, there are a good many schooners ; one, the very last launched from the yard of a celebrated builder, and truly they are hideous by comparison with the stranger. They seem all of one pattern, wall-sided, straight-sheared, sharp-ended boxes, while she looks like a swan sitting on the water. Mr. Fish, her constructor, is renowned as a most successful designer of yachts, and many hundreds of ves- sels of all sizes, perhaps the most celebrated of which are the Truant, the Challenge, and the Meteor, owe their being to him. It is not our present business, however, to discuss men, but ships, and having introduced the Enchantress with these remarks on 26 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. her general appearance and the characteristics of her people, will describe the vessel in detail. The Enchantress is a large vessel of some 300 tons or more. She is broad in the beam, and shows a rather low freeboard, with a great deal of shear, and she has raking masts and bow- sprit with a steave, so that thus far we look upon comparatively familiar forms ; but below water she is after a new pattern, which is as yet strange both in America and England. Although this shape may claim to come originally from America, yet the most conspicuous example of it, so far as we know, is now sail- ing her trial matches, having been launched under the name of the Livonia only a few weeks back at Cowes. We see the shape therefore produced both in England and America, and certainly in America first ; but it is better to call it " new " than to give it any nationality, because it is so totally unlike any of the models which we are accustomed to regard as peculiar to either one country or the other. This strange form of the immersed body of the vessel has il origin in the peculiar shape of the midship section. The dii resistance, or, in other words, the area of this section, is reduce until it is the smallest possible, or, at any rate, the smallest we ever saw. One of the ideal "racing machines" is here realized; not the simple plank on edge, with its lower extremity weighted ; but the two planks one on edge affording the lateral resistance and one (lying flat) nailed on top of it, affording the stability. She is a vessel with a deck and keel, and little else ; the only modification of this exaggerated form being that the junction of the two is not pronounced in a sharp angle, but is affected by the interposition of curves in the transverse sections. Here is a sketch of her midship section ; not drawn to scale from a model or correct draught, but merely by eye and from memory : To look at this section and realize to oneself that at no other place is this vessel even so bulky as this, must impress one with the fact that there is very little of her anywhere. She is, fact, the leanest ship we ever saw. The Livonia has the same sort of " hollow " bottom, as it may be called ; but her bilge is much The Enchantress. 27 fuller, and extends further clown into the water, than that of the Enchantress, and, as a consequence, we find the Livonia started with 70 tons of ballast (how much more she has now we can't exactly say), while the Enchantress, which is a much larger vessel, has but 60. Both these vessels depend chiefly for their stability (at least, so we think) on their form ; and if this be so, a very curious and interesting question arises as to why the Livonia proved tender too tender to race, and the Enchantress stiff enough to brave the Atlantic, and prove herself a safe and good sailor in all weathers. In the first place, we must be un- derstood to agree with our correspondent " C. E. S.," who wrote a letter about the Livonia the other day, when he seems to doubt the accuracy of calculations which go to show the Livonia's cen- tre of gravity to be below her centre of buoyancy. We cannot imagine such to be the case ; and, supposing we are right, the answer to the question as to why the Livonia was more tender than the Enchantress would seem to be that her bilge is un- necessarily full that is to say, this bulky part of the hull is too deeply immersed, and in piling in the ballast to sink the vessel to her proper water-line, the centre of gravity was raised faster than the centre of buoyancy. This has been pointed out before, but then the Enchantress was not here to bring forward, as an instance of a larger vessel with nearly the same proportion of depth to breadth, with a less powerful bilge, and carrying less ballast, and yet being stiffer altogether. The moral of all this is that to strive after a combination of stability by form and stability by ballast is vain. If you go in for a stiff shape, it seems better to make no concessions to the requirements of the 28 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. opposition sort of stability, and give up all hope of getting the centre of gravity below the centre of buoyancy. In addition to having a lean middle piece, the Enchantress has fine ends. Her bows are, perhaps, not finer than the Livonia's, but her after end certainly is, and especially at her load-water- line, where instead of a full curve nearly all the way from the greatest breadth to the stern post, we have here a Scott Russell wave line. Below this again, the water-lines at both ends are extremely sharp ; and four or five feet beneath the surface of the water there is scarcely any body to the vessel at all. The stern is of the usual American graceful form, and joins the keel at a round-up forefoot. The keel, however, contrary to the modern custom, is nearly straight ; and it has considerable drag, so that the draught aft is some feet more than it is for ward. The stern-post rakes about three or four feet, and the counter is rather long and slight. With this much description, and with the help of the sketcl: of her mid-ship section, those who take an interest in the subject and have not an opportunity of seeing the vessel for themselves, may be able to form an idea of the shape of the Enchantress's hull Beyond this, however, it would be quite impossible to give a fail idea of her general appearance to any one who does not know the sort of thing to expect, and even those who saw the Sappho, Daunt- less, and Meteor last year would not be quite prepared for the Enchantress. She is handsomer and more rakish ; and a visit to the island only for a look at her, would be well repaid. We have read legends of slavers, and pirates, and buccaneers, and corsairs, and the like, with long, low, black hulls, and towering spars ; and, behold, in this vessel we have the realization of all the most facinating pictures of such that Marryatt ever drew, or youthful imagination ever invented. Although her spars are tc our English eyes quite gigantic, yet she is in cruising trim ; in proof of which it may be asserted that though a larger vessel, yet she has the poor old Meteor's mainsail now bent ; and Meteor's hemp shrouds too are over her mast heads. Still, The Enchantress. 29 people say that, rigged as she is now, she can fly ; and although we are persuaded that her hull below water is not the shape that salt water likes yet we can readily believe the report, and if asked why, should say because she is so " fine " and so " fair." A good sea-boat she has proved herself to be. She has been seen running before a heavy gale of wind in the Atlantic, with both gaff-topsails aloft, when the sea was so high that the large vessels near her have been hove-to and their decks swept. Now why cannot a match be made between this vessel and the Livonia ? Although the Enchantress's racing sails are in New York, we hardly think this would prove an obstacle ; for Americans are too fond of sport to let anything stand in the way of a good match ; and if the proposal was made, there can be very little doubt that it would be accepted ; and the match would be far more interesting than any of those which the Cambria sailed against the Americans last season and the season before. The Daily Telegraqh, tit. Johns, New Brunswick, July 25, 1873. THE ENCHANTRESS. This beautiful yacht made her appearance in the harbor yes- terday afternoon, and signalled her advent by firing a salute, which was returned by one of the ships loading on the Carleton side. In a short time one of our staff boarded her, and was very courteously received by the owner, J. F. Loubat, Esq., of New York, who showed him over the vessel. Outwardly, the En- chantress is a very rakish looking craft, with a very sharp bow, fine lines forward, and a very long overhanging counter. She has a moderately flat floor, and is not too much cut away on the bilge, so that, although very fast, she is weatherly and a very dry boat for a yacht. She measures 136 feet over all, and is 115 feet long on the water line, 112 feet 6 inches on the keel. She is 24 feet beam, 11 feet hold, and her draft of water is 13 feet 6 inches. She is a keel vacht. Her official measurement 30 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. ns car- is 118 tons, but she would probably approach 200 tons penters' measurement. This vessel was built two years ago by Mr. Lorillard, of New York, as a cruising yacht, and as comfort was considered of more account than speed, she was arranged with a view to furnish the largest amount of ac- commodation for her inmates. How far this design has been successful can be seen at once by the most casual glance at her cabins, which are of the amplest character. The main cabin is amidships and is very large, and the state rooms are on an equally ample scale. The after part of the vessel is occupied by a saloon after the English model, a capital lounging place in the day time, and at night furnishing com- fortable sleeping quarters to those who are too indolent or feel disinclined to go to bed. Forward are the ice-houses, the pantry, the galley, and the quarters of the steward and crew, the latter being amply provided for and supplied with all necessary con. veniences for their safety as well as their comfort. The fittings of the cabins are of the most substantial and elegant description. The Enchantress belongs to the New York Yacht Club, and was purchased from Mr. Lorillard some time ago by her present owner, Mr. Loubat. He is accompanied in his present cruise by two friends, Dr. F. G. Snelling and Mr. Gardiner Sherman, Jr. Mr. Robert Fish, the celebrated yacht designer, is also on board this, the finest of his productions. The sailing master of the Enchantress is Reuben King, the first mate, William Dand, and the Sandy Hook pilot, Peter H. Roff. The crew numbei 18 men all told. When Mr. Loubat left New York, in his fine yacht, intended to go to New London, but concluded to come further east, and arrived some days ago at Mount Desert, which he left on Wednesday at 6 P. M., arriving here early yesterday afternoon. It is his intention to spend some days here, perhaps to go up river and to cross the bay. It is quite likely that the yacht will go to Halifax, calling at one or two of the ports on the Atlantic Coast on the way. After that the Enchantress will go to Europe, probably to the Mediterranean, where she has already aa, : The Enchantress. 31 cruised two seasons. At present the vessel is in cruising trim, but still she is able to hold her own with all comers. When she was being built it was predicted that she would be fast, and she has amply fulfilled the expectations of those interested in her. She is probably faster than any other yacht belonging to the New York Yacht Club, except the Sappho. She is kept in admirable order, and is provided with a steam launch, which is also a life boat, a most admirable and useful appendage. CHAPTER IV. THE OCEAN EACES. The New York Herald, New York, September 25, 1873. Meeting of the New York Yacht Club Last Night Appropriate $1,000 for the October Kaces. The New York Yacht Club held a meeting last night, rear commodore Kingsland in the chair. Mr. Colgate moved that the regatta committee be author- ized to carry out the instructions of the commodore's letter in regard to the October races. Carried. On motion of Mr. Chase the secretary was added to the com- mittee. It was moved to appropriate $1,000 to defray the expenses for the October races. Carried. The following are the prizes to be sailed for at the Octob races: Cup, presented by the commodore, one for schooners and one for sloops, to be sailed for on the first Thursday in October over New York Yacht Club course ; value $500. Cup, presented by the commodore, to be sailed for on the second Thursday of -October, by schooners of any organized yacht club, from the anchorage off Owl's Head to and round lightship off Cape May, and return to Sandy Hook Lightship ; value $1,000. GO - The Ocean Races. 33 Purses, presented by the Commodore, to be sailed for on the second Thursday of October (under direction of the N. Y. Y. C.) by pilot boats, working schooners and smacks (schooners), sailing from any port in the United States. The first vessel arriving to take a purse of $1,000; the first boat ar- riving of each of the other two classes to take a purse of $250. No class, however, to win more than one prize. Newspapers in the various seaport towns are requested to call the attention of owners of vessels to the conditions under which these two last mentioned cups are offered. Further instructions in regard to the races will be issued by the Regatta Committee from time to time. Any persons desiring to enter their boats or wishing any information can address Mr. Charles A. Minton, Secretary, No. 26 Broad Street. The Autumn Regatta of the New York Yacht Club and the Ocean Eaces under its Auspices The Conditions and Prizes of the Aquatic Events set down for October 2 and 3. The autumn regatta of the New York Yacht Club and the ocean races under its auspices are awaited with pleasure, and promise to create a great amount of interest, not only because of the excitement likely to be attached to them, but because of the confidence which many owners place in their gallant craft. The first named of these aquatic events will be sailed on Thursday, October 2, over the usual regulation course, subject to the time allowances and under the sailing regulations of the club. The prizes to be sailed for are two cups, presented by Commo- dore Bennett one for schooners and one for sloops, each of the value of $500. The Regatta Committe, comprising Messrs. Fletcher Westray, William Krebs, Edward E. Chase, and Charles A. Minton, have issued the official notice calling atten- tion to the regatta and inviting entries, which will be received by the Secretary of the Club, at his office, No. 26 Broad Street, until Tuesday morning, September 10, at ten o'clock precisely. .34 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. In this contest no entrance money will be required. All yachts must carry their private signals at the main peak. The start will be a flying one, and the time of each yacht will be taken as she crosses a line between a stakeboat, which will be anchored in the Narrows, near Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, and the judges' steamer. The signals for starting will be given from the judges' boat, as follows: For a preparatory signal, one gun and lowering the yacht club flag on the steamboat, and ten minutes later, for the start, one gun, and the flag will again be lowered. No yacht's time will be taken later than fifteen min- utes after the second gun, unless instructions to the contrary are given by the judges on the morning of the regatta. The expira- tion of the time will be marked by a third gun and lowering of flag. If practicable, a short blast of the steam whistle of the judges' boat will be given when the time of each yacht is taken as she crosses the line in starting and returning. The course will be from the starting point, as above, to and around a stakeboat, at buoy 8J, on the Southwest Spit, keeping it on the port hand in turning, thence to and around the Sandy Hook Lightship, keeping it on the starboard hand in rounding, and return over the same course, keeping the Southwest Spit buoy on the starboard hand. Yachts must keep to the eastward of buoys Nos. 9, 11 and 13 on the West Bank, going and return- ing, and will pass between the judges' boat and the stakeboat on arriving home. THE OCEAN KACES. The "outside" or ocean contests under the direction of the New York Yacht Club will be sailed one week after the autumn regatta, Thursday, October 9, and there is b ut little doubt these will be the events of the year and of a character to be remem- bered by all the participants. The races will embrace, first, a cup of the value of $1,000, presented by Commodore Bennett, to be sailed for by schooner yachts belonging to any organized yacht club, from an anchorage off Owl's Head, New York Harbor, to and around the Lightship on Five Fathom, off Cape May, N. J., and return to Sandy Hook Lightship. Second, three purses of hte The Ocean Races. 35 the value of $1,000, $250 and $250, respectively, also presented by the Commodore, to be sailed for over the same course upon the same day, and open to the following class of vessels, hailing from any port in the United States : First Pilot boats. Second Working schooners of not less than 25 nor over 300 tons, old measurement. Third Schooner smacks. In this race the first vessel arriving at the winning post will take the purse of $1,000, the first vessel arriving of each of the other two classes to take a purse of $250, no class, however, to win more than one prize. These races will be sailed in accordance with the sailing regulations of the New York Yacht Club, which limits the amount of canvas to be carried to the following: Mainsail, foresail, forestaysail, jib, flying jib, jib- topsail, fore and main gaff-topsail and main topmast-staysail. The Regatta Committee, comprising the same gentlemen as given above, will issue specific instructions as to the course to be sailed and the rules governing the race, copies of which will be furnished upon application to the Secretary, Mr. Charles A. Minton, at his office, on and after the 25th inst. All entries must be made before twelve o'clock M., October 7, to the Secretary, to whom inquiries relative to the race should be addressed. These events, occurring in the season of the year when fresh breezes are wont to abound in the bay of New York and along the coast, have given rise to a great deal of interest and specula- tion in yachting circles and among the friends and owners of the vessels that are invited to enter for the purses named. The latter contest, first of its character in this country, should call out the speedy pilot boats and working schooners which abound in not only these and adjacent waters, but in all our seaport towns, and thus test their sailing qualities in company with the crack yachts of the New York and other club fleets. In doing this mayhap they will accomplish more than winning a purse ; they may beat some more pretentious craft over the course, and thus add ad- ditional laurels to victory. To aid a full entry in these races it 36 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. is desired that as much publicity as practicable may be given these conditions by all journals on the seaboard. "The more the merrier" on the 2nd and 9th prox. The New York Herald, New York, October 8, 1873. THE OCEAN KACES. Special Instructions by the Regatta Committee of the New York Yacht Club How the Competing Vessels will be Distinguished at night. There can be no question regarding the success of the ocean yacht races to be sailed to-morrow (Thursday), under the direc- tion of the New York Yacht Club. The entries, as given here- with, embrace six schooner yachts of such construction they must make good reports of themselves, notwithstanding the character of the weather ; and if it should happen to blow great guns, as it did on Monday during the Meta and Vision match, the respective owners will glory in the occasion and hail the op- portunity as most fortunate to test their several models. The names of these pleasure craft that will contest for the $1,000 cup are the Enchantress, Alarm, Clio, Eva, Atalanta and Dreadnaught, a very fine fleet, indeed, and among yachtsmen who are acquainted with the sailing qualities of each, the event will produce much excitement. The performances of the En- chantress and Dreadnaught will be particularly watched, as Mr. Loubat, owner of the former, has challenged Mr. Stockwell of the Dreadnaught, to defend his right and title to the Cape May Challenge Cup on the 14th inst., and, without doubt, the part the latter yacht will play in the ocean race will shape the character of the cup contest. Then there are formidable competitors in the Eva and Clio, both of which did magnificently in the regatta of the 2nd inst., the latter winning the schooner prize. And still more, the new boat of Mr. Astor, the Atalanta, which The Ocean Races. 37 displayed such qualities of speed when there was but a handful of wind during the late regatta, will "show her hand" around the "outside" course ; and again, the Alarm, which demonstrated what she could do in a gale and heavy seaway at Newport, last Summer will, it is predicted, b*e at the front around the Lightship on Five Fathom Bank. All in all, the competing yachts are heavy weather craft, and must give an excellent account of themselves from the moment they are started until the finish of the grand race at the Lightship off Sandy Hook. If there will be interest manifested in the competing yachts and speculation as to the probable winner, there certainly must be genuine excitement among the owners and their friends of the pilot boats that have entered for the purses presented by Commodore Bennett, to be sailed at the same time and over the same course. Seven of these staunch sea craft are on the list, and the several crews are exerting themselves to the utmost for the event. The friendly rivalry among the pilots in this matter is deep and earnest, and yet while each captain will strive to make his vessel reach the winning post in advance of all the others, they hope that no accidents will occur and that the " best boat may win." Still another class of those that " go down to the sea " are intensely interested in the races that of those owning working schooners. Four of this class of vessels are entered for the purses, and, if report be true, among them are the 86 ?T. C. B. Bradhurst ...... ) Eva ....................... E. Burd Grubb ........... 77.50 Dreadnaught .............. A. B. Sfcockwell .......... 240.00 PILOT BOATS. Widgeon, No. 10 .......... New York pilots .......... 105.69 Edmund Blunt, No. 21 ..... New York pilots .......... 111.00 Jas. W. ElweU, No. 7 ...... New Jersey pilots ........ 132.00 Thos. S. Negus, No. 1 ..... New Jersey pilots ........ 130.00 Mary E. Fish, No. 4 ....... New Jersey pilots ........ 106.75 WOBKING SCHOONEBS. W. H. Van Name (A) ...... W. H. Van Name ........ 140.00 JBeindeer (P) .............. Captain Howard ......... 154.00 SCHOONEB SMACKS. Wallace Blackford (E) ..... E. H. C. Eogers & Co ..... 80.00 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. There were five other vessels entered for the race, but which failed to appear. They were the yacht Atalanta, the pilot boats Hope, No. 1, and C. H. Marshall, No. 3, and the schooners Sharpshooter and Racer. The letters which are placed opposite to the schooners in the above list were used to designate them when at sea, and were painted on large sheets of muslin, which were sewed on the mainsails of the respective vessels. It will be seen that there was only one schooner smack in the race, so that if she sails over the whole course, she is sure of the purse offered for her class, and she has also a chance of winning the capital prize for schooners. In other words she may win $1,000, and she must win $250. The day broke bright and beautiful yesterday morning, and it was evident that the racers were to have the most favorable wind and weather that could be desired. There was not a cloud in the sky, the temperature was just cool enough to make the genial sunshine welcome, and there was a brisk breeze from the northeast which dotted the surface of the bay and harbor with long white caps, and which seemed expressly provided for speeding the racers down the Jersey coast. From an early hour of the morning the harbor presented a busy scene with the white- winged schooners working down toward the anchorage, or sail- ing about in long tacks and displaying their points to the numer- ous spectators, and with the large number of excursion steamers and smaller craft that were busily plying about the harbor pick- ing up passengers and attending the vessels that were to partici- pate in the race. Toward evening a great many spectators began to assemble upon the points which commanded the best views of the rendezvous, and by the time the start was made the banks of Stateu Island and South Brooklyn were well lined with carriages and pedestrians, all eagerly watching the race. The Committee having charge of the race consisted of Mr. Fletcher Westray, Chairman ; and Messrs. William Krebs, Edward E. Chase, and Charles A. Minton, ; and Mr. Freeman S. Smith was appointed the Judge of the pilot boats. These gentlemen embarked on board of the "Herald" steam yacht at the barge office, and a little The Ocean Races. 55 after eleven o'clock the judges' boat steamed down the harbor to deliver the signals and instructions to the contestants and to align the vessels. The signals consisted of rockets, two of which were ordered to be fired by every vessel approaching either of the ter- minal lightships at night blue and red combination lights by which the yachts were to be distinguished, and ship -lights for the other schooners, which were to be used so as to display the desig- nating letters and numbers upon their mainsails. The first of the contesting vessels encountered by the judges' boat was the Reindeer, which was proceeding to the anchorage under very easy sail, and next the Dreadnaught and Enchantress passed the steamer on their way down. At the anchorage off Owl's Head most of the pilot boats and working schooners had already got into position and dropped their anchors. There were two stake- boats, one exactly opposite Owl's Head and the other 300 yards further down the Narrows. The second of these marked the po- sition of the yachts and the first the position of all the other ves- sels. Of the yachts the Enchantress and the Eva were the only ones in line. The Dreadnaught was lying under the Jersey shore, and the others were gracefully disporting about the harbor under easy sail, but all showing fine speed. At the last moment a private match for a $250 cup was arranged between the Eva and the Clio, to be determined during the present race. The judges' boat completed the distribution of the signals and instruc- tions, and after awaiting the arrival of all the contesting vessels took up a position to the leeward and between the lines of schooners. The signals agreed upon for the start consisted of one whistle, and the lowering of the Yacht Club flag as a signal of prepara- tion, and ten minutes after another whistle and another dipping of the flag for getting under way. The start was announced to be made at three o'clock, and at exactly two minutes after that hour the first whistle was sounded, the last orders were given on all the vessels, the men sprung to their posts, and all was life and bustle. At twelve minutes after three the final signal was given, the anchors were raised and the jibs hoisted as if by magic 56 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. and the thirteen contestants swung swiftly about with the north- east breeze and dashed through the waves like greyhounds re- leased from the leash. The start was one of the most even ever made, but of the yachts the Clio made the best, and speedily put herself 200 yards ahead of all her rivals, the Eva following next, the Dreadnaught and Enchantress coming next and close together, and the Alarm a slight distance in their rear. Of the other vessels the "Pride of the Market," as the Blackford is called in Fulton Street, got away first, and was followed by the Edximnd Blunt, next by the Elwell and the Negus, r.nd then by all the others in a bunch. The wind was a little lighter than it had been in the morning, but it was dead astern and the fleet swept wing-and-wing down the Narrows with every stitch of canvas set, and presented one of the most splendid sights that ever charmed the eyes of a yachtsman. The Clio kept her lead, but the Eva came creeping up in a determined way that showed that Captain Grubb had no intention of letting that $250 cup get away from him without a struggle; the Enchantress veered a few points to leeward and soon passed the Eva; the Dreadnaught was but little astern of either, and the Alarm was coming rapid- ly up in the rear. At this moment an ugly hole appeared in the staysail of the Clio, caused by a foul with the gaff, and in a few seconds the wind, which was bellying the sail in fine shape ripped it from top to bottom, and it was hauled down to be re- paired. The Clio, however, still gallantly maintained her advan- tage, and swinging around to windward shot swiftly past the bow of the Dauntless and took her position on the extreme left of the fleet, which was by this time extended into an irregular cres- cent, \ith the Clio and the Enchantress marking the two ad- vanced corners. This position was maintained without material change down to buoy No. 8, on Southwest Spit. The Clio and Enchantress were ahead, with the Clio away over to windward, and therefore nearer the Spit, the Dreadnaught and Alarm were between and a little behind them and on an exact line with each other, while, the Eva was just astern of the Dreadnaught. The other vessels The Ocean Races. 5 7 had made some changes in their relative positions, and the Yan Name was away ahead and rapidly picking up the Eva. Close upon her heels was the Mary E. Fish, and then came the Wid- geon and the Reindeer, apparently together, and with the heavier pilot hoats "Big 7" and the Blunt bringing up the rear. The time of rounding the Spit was as follows: H. M. s. Yacht Olio.'. 4 23 50 Yacht Enchantress 4 26 55 Yacht Alarm .. 4 28 45 Yacht Dreadnaught 4 29 09 Schooner Van Name 4 29 32 Yacht Eva 4 29 44 Pilot boat Mary E. Fish, No. 4 4 34 32 Pilot boat Widgeon, No. 10 4 35 02 Schooner Keindeer 4 35 26 Pilot boat Thomas S. Negus, No. 1 . . 4 36 14 Smack Wallace Blackford '. . . 4 37 05 Pilot boat James W. Elwell, No. 7 4 39 06 Pilot boat Edmund Blunt, No. 2 4 39 36 From the time of the start to the arrival at the spit, the breeze had noticeably decreased and had changed towards the east, so that the "white caps" were no longer visible, and the ves- sels, when they strung out after rounding the buoy, were com- pelled to beat down with long tacks to get to sea. As each of the beautiful craft shot past the Spit, she was greeted with three shrill salutes from the whistles of the judges' boat and the other steamers that had assembled there, and which included the Fletcher, Arrowsmith, Chamberlain and Day Dream. The Clio made a splendid tack, which slightly increased her lead, and the Enchantress, which followed her, and was bounding along at the speed of a race-horse, had to beware of her greater draught of water, and describe a much wider circle. The Clio, therefore, managed to retain her lead until out of sight, and there were no important changes in the relative position of the other vessels. The judges' boat, under the command of Captain Robinson, gal- lantly escorted the fleet to Sandy Hook, and was followed by a dozen other craft, including the steamers already named, and the 58 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. yachts Vindex, Columbia, Emilie, Camelia, and Ariel. The racing yachts, as they receded in the distance, and in the mellow sunset, formed one of the finest sea pictures that the Bay of New York has ever seen. The wind was still in their favor and they stood almost erect, with their tall masts and their crowds of can- vas giving them the appearance of great white columns reflected against the deepening blue of the horizon. On the judges' boat, a number of rockets and other pyrotechnic pieces which had not been needed in the distribution to the yachts were discharged as a final salute to the fast-fading fleet, and as the sun sank, blood- red, behind the hills of Staten Island, the boat reversed its course and brought the party back to the city. The favorable start which the yachts have had encourages the belief which was expressed by all the yachting men who ob- served the start, that the race will be an unusually fast one. The course has been sailed in twenty-five hours, and the yachtsmen yesterday, as they passed the steam yacht on their way to sea, promised they would do it in twenty-four. It is quite possible that the first of the returning fleet may be seen at Sandy Hook early this afternoon, and it seems almost certain that they will return this afternoon or evening. The Regatta Committee are to proceed to Sandy Hook this afternoon to await the finish of the race, and will remain upon the lightship until all of the fleet return. The New York Herald, October 11, 1873. THE GREAT OCEAN YACHT REGATTA. On Thursday afternoon thirteen vessels of schooner rig and of four distinct classes, which have never before met in racing competition, sailed forth under a clear blue sky on a grand ocean race. The fact that five vessels of our trim pilot fleet, whose fame in their line of hardy seafaring is world-wide, were sailing beside five saucy schooners of our racing fleet is a circumstance in itself worthy of note. That two working schooners, one from Staten Island and another from Cold Spring Harbor, brought The Ocean Races. 69 their ruddy crews into competition with the pilot boats, and that a gallant little schooner smack came forward to claim her share of the race, give us a picture well worthy of the genius of some such American painter of marine subjects as Moran. That the race meant downright sailing under conditions which divested it of the toylike quality of races inshore was evident from the beginning. It was a test of qualities that are not brought out in races with land calms threatening to spoil all sport ; in races with subtle knowledge of tides and currents telling more than the great quality of fast sailing ; in races where the exact reach of every tack under given directions of wind can be calculated to a nicety. The vessel, in such a race as that started on Thurs- day, is tested as much as the sailing master, and the result will prove much more of the true grit in both than the ornamental regattas, which, in their place, are so very admirable. About this race there is another feature which Americans can point to with pride it marks the entrance of a republican spirit into contests hitherto laid claim to by a class alone. As that cla^ss is, of necessity, a rich one, it will be gratifying to think that the men of bronzed face, stout arms and manly heart, by whose lives coasting commerce is made a nursery of hardy seamen men whose grandfathers manned the privateers of 1812, whose fathers in turn manned the gallant ships that in the war of the revolution so brilliantly contested with England for the su- premacy of the seas are taking their places in the race with their fortune-favored fellow citizens. It matters not to whom the prizes fall if the race proves where the best contests are to be decided and if it marks an innovation in yachting experience worthy of the aquatic holidays of a republic. The course, covering from two hundred and fifty to three hundred miles of actual sailing, is a splendid one, and one of the results of the race will doubtless be to make it the scene of the future contests of importance battled in by yachts in the vicinity of New York. Throughout yesterday the arrival of the winning vessels was anxiously expected, and the explanation that three hundred miles cannot be sailed in the time of an ordinary race from 6o A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. the Narrows to Sandy Hook Lightship and back was made hundreds of times by those learned in the matter to others not so fortunate, but up to the present time the return of none of the yachts has been reported. The Evening Telegram, New York, October 11, 1873. THE OCEAN BACE. The Enchantress the Winning Yacht Ninety miles in ten hours An precedented Bun from Sandy Hook to Cape May A Terrible Time at Sea A Head Wind All the Way Home The Winning Pilot Boat. SANDY HOOK, Saturday, Oct, 11 A. M. The yacht Enchantress passed the lightship here at twelve minutes past six o'clock this morning, and won the race. The second boat is not yet in sight, but from the report made by the Enchantress it is supposed that the first pilot boat 1 s pilot boat No. 1, Thomas S. Negus, of New Jersey, and that the second yacht is probably the Alarm. The Enchantress made the run from Owls' Head, L. I., in New York Harbor, the starting point, to Cape May lightship in ten hours, forty-five minutes and thirty seconds, an unprecedented run. The start was made at twelve minutes past three o'clock o Thursday afternoon, and the Enchantress rounded the lightship at Cape May at one o'clock, fifty-seven minutes and thirty seconds on Friday morning. There was a fair wind all the way down. The race was a dead beat all the way back, a heavy head sea running. In the afternoon of yesterday there were light airs for a considerable time, the sea being very lumpy. After rounding the Cape May Lightship the Enchantress about four o'clock yesterday morning fell into a very heavy sea and split her jib. The Ocean Races. 61 There was no time for repairs at the time, but when the morning advanced and an opportunity presented itself it was repaired. At eleven o'clock she shipped a tremendous heavy sea which carried away the under bobstay, which endangered the jibboom. Things were particularly lively at this time on board the yacht. A tackle was got out and the jibboom secured. Just at this time the split jib was ripped to its head all through, a heavy sea running. From that time only half the sail was used, it being impossible to bend another, the sea was so high. Captain Robert Fish sailed the Enchantress arid Peter W. Ron was the pilot. The general interest felt in the result of the great ocean yacht race has in no way abated. On the contrary, the inquiries after the yachts were more numerous this morning than yester- day. The delay in the arrival of the vessels was, of- course, caused as stated in the Telegram yesterday, by the strong northeast breeze which was blowing yesterday morning. Though this has delayed the arrival of the vessels, it was far from spoiling the race or lessening the interest felt on all sides in the result of the contest. The fact is that this wind showed to greater advantage the sea-going and weatherly qualities of the competing vessels. Along shore the most intense interest is felt in the result of the race on account of the pilot boats and the working schoon- ers. THE LATEST. FASTEST SAILING ON RECORD. The Enchantress passed Fort Hamilton at 9:15 this morning, under full sail. The yacht was followed by the pilot boat Thomas S. Negus, No. 1, and the third boat in was the New Jersey pilot boat James W. Elwell, No. 7. A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. If the run to Cape May has been made in the time men- tioned it is the quickest run on record by any sailing vessel. CAPE MAY, N. J., Oct. 11, 18T3. The yachts passed Five Fathom Light at 3:20 A. M. as follows : Enchantress, first. Dreadnaught, second. Alarm, third. The positions of the other yachts were not obtained. PHILADELPHIA, PA., Oct. 11, 1873. A second dispatch from Cape May, N. J., says that the yachts passed at 3:20 yesterday morning, the wind being at the time dead ahead. The New York Herald, October 12, 1873. THE OCEAN KACES. From Owl's Head to the Five-Fathom Bank Lightship off Cape May Thirteen Vessels Striving for Victory Working Schoon- ers and Pleasure Craft in the Fleet Plenty of \Vind and Heavy Head Seas Accidents and Incidents Beating to Windward One Hundred and Twenty-five Miles The Enchantress the Winner of the $1,000 Cup and the Pilot Boat Negus the $1,000 Purse Three of the Eacers Home. ON BOARD YACHT ENCHANTRESS, OFF SANDZ HOOK LIGHTSHIP. Saturday, October 11 6.12 A. M. Thursday afternoon when the competing vessels in the great ocean races were off the point of Sandy Hook and the Regatta committee of the New York Yacht Club and others on board The Ocean Races. 63 the steam yacht " Herald " were preparing to bid them adieu and wish them all " good luck," the scene was one that could not fail to delight the most enthusiastic yachtsman. It had been a day particularly charming to commence a contest of the charac- ter in which the vessels were engaged, and upon each and every deck of the racing boats were picked crews, veteran pilots, delighted sailing masters, and hopeful owners. It was the for- tune of one of the " Herald " reporters to find himself, early that afternoon, on board the Enchantress, where, on deck, were Mr. J. F. Loubat, the owner ; Yice-Commodore Douglas, Mr. Walter L. Kane, Judge for the Committee ; his brother, Mr. Delancey Kane, and Mr. Edward R. Jones, ready to accompany the yacht to victory or defeat. Busy giving orders to the bronzed crew was seen Captain Bob Fish, who modelled the boat, and near him, eager to take the wheel, was Pilot Peter W. Ron , of Staten Island. In like respects it was understood that all the craft whose crews were eager to win the prizes presented by Commodore Bennett were well provided. So, when the point of Sandy Hook was passed, the great ocean race to the lightship on Five Fathom Bank had commenced and was fast becoming exciting. At the time of starting the wind was to the northward, but at this point it had veered to the east -north-east and was breezing freshly. The pretty Clio, with all sail set, was working well to windward; the Enchantress, with a cloud of canvas, was second ; the Alarm third, Dreadnaught fourth, working schooner Tart Name fiftfl, Eva sixth, and the pilot boat Mary E. Fish, working schooner Reindeer, pilot boat Thomas S. Negus, schooner smack Wallace Blackford, and pilot boats James W. El well and Edmund E. Blunt in the positions as named. Passing out by the land, the Enchantress went about on the port tack at 4= h. 26 m., the Clio did likewise at 4 h. 27 m., the Alarm followed suit at 4= h. 28 m., the Dreadnaught soon the same, and now each bent to their business. Away to leeward, and not to interfere with the manoeuvr- ing of the vessels, the excursionists' steamers accompanied us, and gliding swiftly along among these, looking par- Yachtsman s Scrap Boot ticularly handsome, was the steam yacht Day Dream, upon the deck of which General Aspinwall was observed, in the New York Yacht Club uniform. Though each and every captain of this fleet of clippers knew there was much work and chances of ill-luck before them, they commenced their task with faces lighted up with pleasurable excitement, and the last whistle of the judge's boat left them all in the best of humor, and with the highest hopes of success. On board the Clio, which had crept up to windward in the Narrows, there was an evident determination to keep in advance. She had set foresail, main- sail, foretopsail, jib, flying-jib, and two topsails, and the canvas drew very well. At 4 h. 35 m. the Enchantress, under club fore- sail, mainsail, jib, flying-jib, maintopmast staysail, and working topsails was gradually lessening the distance. The Clio was in ad- vance. The noble looking Alarm was a short away to leeward,while the Dreadnaught, with all kites set, her big maintopmast staysail being the more conspicuous, was challenging Rear Commodore Kingsland for third place. The saucy Eva followed, and then the Widgeon and Mary E. Fish, of the pilot boats, were earnestly con- testing with each other for the post of honor in their class, with the advantage in favor of the latter, and to leeward of these was the trusty-looking Van Name, and among the brush the Wallace Blackford, the schooner smack that entered for the prize and glory attached to the event. The yachts were now flying through the water and the Enchantress on the starboard tack at 4rh. 44 m. went by the Clio, which looked a beautiful picture, and assumed the lead of the fleet that now was out on the ocean heading to the goal far away. The day was fast passing to a pleasant twilight, and the sun glinted its adieu on the snow white canvass of the racers with blinding brightness. Now the fun began in earnest. Five miles distant, at 5 h. 9 m., the High- land lights bearing west southwest, the Enchantress was heading south with the wind fair and leading all her competitors fully one mile. The Clio, standing on the same tack, was second, one mile astern ; the Alarm a like distance to the leeward of ] The Ocean Races. 65 the Dreadnaught half a mile further off, while the Eva, Van Name and others were hull down. The wind was now hauling a little more down the coast, and it was the unanimous opinion of all on the Enchantress that there would be lively work before the night was over. At 5 h. 31 m., we were off Long Branch and on our weather quarter, with sails set, we sighted the Rich- mond steamer Old Dominion, outward bound, and two miles further away was one of Alexandre's steamships ploughing the deep in the same direction. The western horizon still looked bright with the glories of departing day, and, using a glass, the positions of the competing vessels nearest us were noted to be the same as before given, though we were dropping them fast. There was a rolling sea off this point, and the steamers, as with us, felt its influence. We were now doing very finely, and at 6 h. 4 m., the Alarm, two miles astern, had eaten up to windward of the Clio and was passing her, but it was some time before the saucy craft could be shaken off. One mile to the leeward of the Clio was the Dreadnaught, and far in the fast approaching gloom wa& the Eva struggling with the Yan Name. Darkness settled down upon us at 6 h. 56 in., and heading south by west, the Enchantress was slipping away upon her mission. Here we passed the steamer- Old Dominion, her officers acknowledging the " go-by," blew their whistle, which we responded to by a rocket, and the' steamer in turn " blazed away " in similar manner from her bow. At 7 h. 10 m., Barnegat light was made, bearing south southwest distant about fifteen miles. The night was clear and beautiful, and as the great golden moon came out of the sea the scene was. exquisite. The wind was now hauling to the eastward and increas- ing, which sent us skipping along very fast. At 7 h. 55 m., the yacht was kept off half a point, heading south by west-half- west, and at 8 h. 17 m. Barnegat light bore west. We were doing some very nice work now, as at 8 h. 24: m., Alexandre'& steamship was abeam, and nothing could be made out astern but the lights of the Old Dominion. The sea was very lumpy on this part of the coast, but the Enchantress carried her -66 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. sail well, and while owner, officers and guests were congratula- ting themselves on their good luck a sea broke over her weather rail, and dousing some of the non-workers on deck they went be- low to change their clothing and repair damages. Little Egg Harbor bore west at 9 h. 45 in., the run down from Barnegat, a distance of eighteen or nineteen miles, having been made in Ih. 28 m. At 10 h. we took in our maintopmaststay sail and jibtop- sail and boomed out the foresail, the wind getting lighter. Still we were doing nicely, and at 10 h. 37 m. Absecom blazed in the westward. The wind now backed to the northeast, and at 11 h. -we headed southwest by south. It was freshening every instant, and at 11 h. 20 m. Captain Fish ordered the flying jibs to be shifted. The big one was taken in and a smaller one set at 11 h. 35m. We were now doing our best, bowling along in the glorious, brightness of the night fully thirteen or fourteen knots, though the sea was becoming more lumpy. At 11 h. 48 m. the balloon topsail was ordered to be taken in and at 1 h. 54 m. it was on deck unbent and clewed up, a neat job. At midnight, Alexan- dre's steamship disappeared on our weather bow, and then we ^were left traveling alone in solitary grandeur. At 12 h. 01 m. Friday morning we lowered away the peak and put a single reef in the mainsail, and began preparation to wear around the Five Fathom Lightship. A man was sent up the foremast head at 12 h. 25 m. to look out for the lights of this beacon off Cape May, and at 12 h. 48m. he sighted them two points on the port Administration, E. WlNSLOW, Le President d>Tionneur, E. BlGOT DE LA ROBILLARDIRE, Maire du Havre, Chevalier de la Legion-d 'Honnevr '. i 5o A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. Bell's Life, London, August 1, 1874. SOCIETE DES EEGATES DU HAVKE. It was unfortunate for Havre that after having been the means of bringing together several of the most notable English racing yachts, and the American schooners Enchantress and Faustine, the weather should have been of a character such as to make sailing results wholly unreliable as a guage of racing abili- ties. In other respects, however, the last day of the Societe des Regates du Havre was as pleasant as its predecessors, and went far towards toning down many of the annoyances and imposi- tions to which yachtsmen are subjected in French ports. We hard more than one owner affirm it would be their last visit until some of the existing regulations and penalties, as far as respected yachts were repealed, and really some customary forms are unnecessarily vexatious and frivolous. There was great ex- citement consequent upon the meeting of the Enchantress and Cetonia, when, on Thursday, these vessels were known to have arrived in the Roads, and then the Gwendolin and the Florinda's presence contributed additional interest, the Corinne being little thought of as the "coming ship;" seeing that in every match she previously competed in she had shown lamentably inferior in speed to the Cetonia. We bore in mind, however, a display of reaching ability in the first half of the race from Dover to Bou- logne, and conjured up a day in store when she might get suit- able weather. Few, however, were prepared to see Ratsey's lust so much improved, but unshipping tanks and a little additional lead has worked wonders. We were told that she would display in a breeze greatly increased stability, and for this on dit with- out reserve there would have been obviously accountable reasons. The day was a somewhat remarkable one, the wind for the first half being taken fresher by the Enchantres and the Corinne the weather line, while in running back, the lee line had more wind than the Enchantress; the latter, consequently, never having had a chance of showing her true form, added to which, her throat halliard iron on the main gaff gave out, and An International Yacht Race. 1 5 1 delayed her quite 10 minutes, but she afterwards reached fast enough in the same streak of wind as the Corinne to give an insight of the possession of marvellous speed on that particular point of sailing. Like other long vessels of the American model, she made a sorry show with the wind dead on the mast, this being simply to be accounted for through the vast amount of friction on her large submerged body ; whilst with reference to her weatheiiy qualities, it may be taken as demonstrated that on this point she will never be able to compensate by speed in head- reaching for a palpable deficiency in weatherliness. The Cetonia and the Florinda did not show by any means to advantage. Everyone knows Mr. Turner's schooner, by reason of being some- what under-canvassed, to be no great flyer in light winds, but zephyrs are the Florinda's forte, yet she sailed in anything but brilliant form. The Faustine, a most objectionable vessel to the eye in point of shape, figured wretchedly badly, and the Flying Cloud, in her best day, would have made a humiliating exhibi- tion of the angular-looking American. The two Gertrudes did as well as the wind favored them, and the Hirondelle went ap- parently as fast as allowed to. The conditions, &c., are appended, viz. : Match, open to yachts of all nations of 10 tons and upwards; course from markboat off Havre Harbor piers to a markboat moored in a W. N. W. direction, and returning to a markboat moored about one mile N. N. W. of Cape Le Heve, distance about 45 miles ; time race, 15 sec. per ton; tonnage computed ac- cording to the society's rule, viz : The length taken from stem to stern post, and breadth and depth at extremes, all in metres ; the length is multiplied by the depth and the product by quarter breadth, the whole being divided by four to find tonnage. Three prizes, viz : First (Grand Prize of the City of Havre) a work of art valued at F 2,500 second F 1,000. third (to the first French yacht of any rig) F 1,000 in addition to the above the owner of the first vessel was presented with a pair of marine glasses, and the owner of the second vessel with a telescope. The entries, American and English, were : 1 52 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. TONS, YACHT. RIG. FRENCH. OWNER. Cetonia schooner 148 Mr. W. Turner. Corinne schooner 122 Mr. N. Wood. Gwendolin schooner Major Ewing. Egeria schooner Mr. J. Mulholland. Enchantress schooner 200 Mr. J. F. Loubat. Faustine schooner 74 Mr. J. P. Eussell. Gertrude yawl 60J Mr. E. Langtry. * Gertrude yawl 48$ Mr. J. F. Watt. Hirondelle yawl 60 Mr. W. C. Quilter. Florinda yawl 102| Mr. W. Jessop. Yawls sailing at three-fourths, and schooners at three-fifths their tonnage. The Gwendolin, although in harbor, did not start, and the Egeria, not having arrived from Ireland, was another absentee. Seven o'clock A. M. would be thought the height of lunacy by the metropolitan clubs for starting a match over a course of about 40 miles, but the Havrais are an early rising people, and kept exemplary punctuality in starting the match of July 25. The yachts were out of dock at 5, and jilting about in readiness at 6:45. There was to be, according to French custom, a drift of 15 minutes after starting gun, wherewith to cross the line, and then into the book of reckoning went time, Dr. or Cr. according as the race was commenced by each, and to be added or deducted as the case might be at the finish of the match. With a light balloon topsail breeze from the N. N. W. we thus logged them : START. H. M. S. H. M. S. Gertrude (48$) 7 7 45 Corinne 7 11 15 Enchantress 7 9 46 Florinda 7 13 30 Hirondelle 7 10 Faustine 7 14 30 Cetonia 7 10 5 Gertrude (60$) 7 20 With a W. by K. \ ^f. course, on a N. N. W. breeze, the wind was on the starboard beam, and the Enchantress must have had her head up to about N. W. soon after start, for the purpose of having weather guage of the rest should the breeze narrow. An International Yacht Race. 153 On the other hand Gertrude (Watt) headed as far to leeward of her course, or about W., while the Cetonia would have followed the Enchantress in luffing out into a fresher breeze to windward, had the Hirondelle not been just in her wind at the opportune time. The latter, who looked as if her sails had been given a douche bath, perhaps showed a little judgment in leaving the heavy weights and wiping away in chase of her class the lesser Gertrude who was now spinning along, with the mouth of the Seine well open, and, keeping the shore aboard, leading vessel. The Corinne picked the breezy track in the Enchantress's trail, and was quickly upon the Cetonia's starboard beam, with the Florinda in a position that about split the distance between the two English schooners, the Faustine and the Gertrude (60J) making a waiting race of it, Mr. Langtry's craft losing a minute or two over and above the allowed quarter of an hour. Balloon- topsails and staysails, jib topsails and big jibs were carried on all but the Cetonia and the Florinda, who had working topsails, the two American vessels spread of sail beggaring description com- pared with the rest. At 7:30 the Enchantress and the Corinne led weather line, with a palpable advantage in amount of breeze over the Cetonia and the Florinda, while away on the lee beam of the Cetonia, a mile distant, was the Gertrude, reaching fast, with the Hirondelle far in her wake, but both with less of the motive power in their sails than the vessels further north. Two miles astern were the Faustine and the Gertrude (Langtry), bringing up a clipping burst to what the rest had. This was obvious from the style in which the Gertrude was heeling up, but the wee Yankee, with her delta topsails, had a good deal of the sentry-box upright carriage. The wind was free enough, and there should not have been a difference in so short a space of water, but the Enchantress certainly had more than either the Cetonia or the Florinda, while the Corinne planted herself at 7:35 right on the Cetonia's weather beam. Settling at 7:40 to a nice steady balloon topsail breeze, a weak spot in the iron work of the Enchantress's gaff brought the sail with a run down at the throat, and it was ten minutes and smart work too before A Yachtsman's Scrap Book. the mainsail was again set up and balloon topsail resheeted. In this opening the Cetonia walked up on the Enchantress, and drew level with her port quarter, although three-quarters of a mile to the southward, the Corinne closing in to about half a mile of the American's wake, and being third vessel, the Florinda in the Cetonia's trail fourth, the Gertrude (Watt) fifth, Hiron- delle sixth, Faustine seventh, and the other Gertrude whipping up with the little Scapin, going in very good form indeed, lead- ing French yachts. At 8 o'clock a little roll from seaward made us look for more wind, but it kept light and unsteady, until 9 o'clock, when the Corinne had reached past with the breeze on her beam very wide to windward of the Cetonia, now being second vessel to the En- chantress, a mile distant, the Cetonia was about 200 yards east of the Corinne, and the Florinda some three cables' lengths astern of the Cetonia, the others in same position, but the Hiron- delle was being nearly played out by both the Faustine and Ger- trude (Langtry), and then a quarter of an hour later certainly last vessel. Two miles from the markboat (that was discernible through the haze only a short time previously) the wind short- ened, and the Enchantress screwed up to be certain of fetching her W. limit on starboard tack, and a little later on all came close-hauled. Nearing the mark the wind again freed slightly, but the weather-most boats, the Enchantress and Corinne, had a good bit the best of it, the northing giving the additional advan- tage of a free slant when round. The Enchantress made the most of her position, and showing great speed, even in so light a breeze, had an undeniably creditable lead, when she tacked to round the W. mark steamer 20 miles from Havre ; the time each staying being: H. M. S. H. M. S. Enchantress 10 2 30 Gertrude 60J 10 44 Corinne 1010 Faustine 1048 Cetonia 101545 Mesange 1050 Florinda 102040 Hirondelle 1052 Gertrude 48* 10 41 An International Yacht Race. i55 The wind was just abaft the port beam when they steadied for their course to the Le Heve mark, the Enchantress ran with two balloon topsails, balloon maintopmast-staysail and balloon- forestaysail, beside all lower canvas, the Corinne being similarly treated, but for some time appeared to have her f oretopsail sheet adrift. The weather, which had been overcast with but oc- casional bursts of sun improved about 11 o'clock, but when the summer haze rolled away and the sun came out strong, the breeze lost heart, and now on the English craft spinnakers were set jib fashion, the American, with not so much wind as the Corinne and Cetonia, coming back very fast, until at 11:30 the stranger had lost position to the Corinne, and the Cetonia had also gone past her. Mr. Turner's vessel and the Corinne drew within hail, and the Florinda on being treated to her favorite jib, picked up her heels in vulgar haste and left the American flax pile as though brought up. With a rally of wind astern, the tail of the fleet rose their hulls on the leaders until the big Gertrude could be seen feathering at the stem, and the lesser American doing better with the ruck than on sailing west. The breeze towards noon drew round on to the quarter, and then spinnaker booms were dropped, and sails set square. The Corinne's fore -spinnaker, as jib, drawing well, and picking up a breeze at 12:30 that made the sheet tauten out, she with ad- ditional help of main spinnaker went fast away from the Cetonia, while the Florinda got into a vein that drew her up in under the Cetonia's beam, and lasted of sufficient strength to ramp her through the schooner's lee. An unaccountable burst at 1:30 put the Corinne double the distance, or about a mile and a half ahead of the Cetonia in a short space of time. Of course it was a little wind favor, but it obviously settled the destination of the prize, as the Florinda, although going again in her best form looked little like saving time on Mr. Wood's craft, and both were going far faster than either the Cetonia or the En- chantress. The latter towards the close ran up slightly on the Cetonia, but we saw enough of her to judge that down the wind there are a number of faster craft on this side ; but, perhaps, A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. other than the untried Gosport frigates there is no tried vessel, the Sappho included, capable of reaching with Mr. Loubat's Enchantress. She was very well taken care of in the race, but, as we have said before, we attach but very little importance to the result of this match. The finish made the Corinne an easy winner, and the Florinda more particularly so of second prize, the little French cutter, Scapin, having revenge on the Mesange by winning her prize with a lot in hand. The times of arrival were : H. M. S. *CORINE 2 1 45 tFLORINDA 2 12 30 CETONIA 2 14 ENCHANTRESS 2 19 30 GERTRUDE (Watt) . . .2 46 *Winner of 100, first prize, and marine glasses. t Winner of 40, second prize, and telescope. {Winner of 40, for first French yacht. H. M. s. GERTRUDE (Langtry),. 2 49 FAUSTINE 2 49 30 HIRONDEI/LE 2 50 20 2 50 30 The Field, London August, 1, 1874. SOCIETE DES EEGATES DU HAVEE. Saturday, July 25. The good yachtsmen of Havre brought their regatta to a close on this 25th day of July ; but the vessels that sailed for their prizes are to compete in another match across Channel on Monday. So far as we know, everyone is satisfied with the arrangements the Regatta Society has made, and the liberality displayed has been simply charming. However, the society has determined to go still farther, and next year promises three prizes of F 2000 each for " each rig," and a prix d'honneur of F 3000 for first yacht by classification. Such startling liberality will no doubt induce a large number of English yachts to flock to Havre. The race to-day was mainly remarkable for the debut of the American yacht Enchantress, and if she were something like a Cetonia among Flying Clouds, her entree would be regarded An International Yacht Race. i5^ with some interest. Allowing for her great size, she will no doubt be always a formidable competitor ; but it would be ab- surd to suppose that there is anything wonderful about her. She will always beat small vessels in breezes, just as the Sappho would ; but we should expect to see her pretty well tied up with such a weight of wind as a vessel like the Guinivere would have to haul down a reef in. The Cetonia got an exemplary beating from Corinne, but the beating was a little too much to be true. However, the Corinne ran and reached right well, and she may cause some anxiety on board Egeria and Pantomime ere the season is out. In dismissing the doings of the Havre Regatta Society this year, we can only re-echo a feeling we have heard expressed on board most of the yachts present, that the arrange- ments for the matches were in many instances superior to those of English clubs, and that the liberality as to prizes was such as not only to call forth satisfaction, but astonishment, considering the flying visits the yachts make to the place. The starting hour was appointed for 7 A. M., and it was early on tide (5:30) when the fleet came out from the floating docks into the roads. The weather on the previous night liSd been overcast and wore an unsettled look, but, after a thunderstorm, cleared away and somewhat brightened up. With the first of the morning a thick haze rolled in from the K. W., bringing a light, chilly air from that quarter, and it looked all over like a day for flying kites. Enchantress showed her hand by setting her two balloon topsails, huge flying jib, and staysail; and her competitor Faus- tine copied this sail plan to the letter. Corinne set s main bal- loon-topsail, the rest of the fleet big working sails. The French vessels, however, could not let such an eligible opportunity pass without airing their balloon canvas, and (it little recked whether on or off the wind) boom water sails were rigged with a view of accelerating speed. Once we thought the north wind had heart in it for a pipe up, but there was little more than enough to keep their sails asleep when the line was crossed after second gun fire (7 h. 5 m.). We timed them to commence the race thus i58 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. H. M. S. Gertrude (Watt) 7 7 45 Enchantress 7 9 4 Hirundelle 7 10 Cetonia. . . 7 10 05 H. M. s. Corinne 7 11 15 Florinda. 7 13 30 Faustine 7 14 30 Gertrude (Langtry). 7 18 On heading her course Enchantress trimmed her sheet for a breeze about two points abaft the beam, Gertrude being broad on her lee (port) bow, and evidently intending to keep the shore closer aboard. When Cetonia luffed for the mark boat she found Hirondelle too close to clear her bowsprit of the yawl's mizen, and had to bear away under her lee beam ; here the schooner hung for a time, and WHS prevented thereby getting fair in the wake of Enchantress, and in a breeze to windward, which the Hirondelle's captain could not appreciate the advantage of. On the other hand, Corinne luffed out into it and soon came up on the beam of Cetonia ; while the weather-beaten dandy, Hiron- delle went in to share a streak of calm to leeward with Mr. Watt's Gertrude, at once losing any chance she might have had in the race. Florinda came on almost in the wake of Cetonia, slightly drawing up on Mr. Turner's schooner, while Faustine was being fast left astern by all the vessels which had crossed the imaginary line before her, and was coming back fast to Mr. Langtry's Gertrude who, by the way, lost some three minutes over and above the fifteen allowed at the start. Briefly, there was more wind by far with the weather line where were the Enchantress and Corinne than with those further to the south- ward, viz., Cetonia, Florinda, and Gertrude ; and seeing this Poland, of the Enchantress, wisely luffed out into it, eventually getting a nice sailing breeze, and, with every available inch of fore and aft sail set, was grandly drawing away from Cetonia, who was, at 7.30, second vessel. Jibtopsails were set by all at, 7.35, although the wind, from two points free, was now fair on the beam, and northing as they sailed west. At 7.36 the Enchantress found wind enough to wring and break the iron work of the main gaff that the lower main halyard block was connected to, and of course the mainsail settled down at the throat ; the topsail sheet, however, held on, and the vessel was An International Yacht Race. i59 kept going her course, with but the slightest diminution of speed. Ten minutes elapsed ere the luff of the mainsail was again taunt, and then Cetonia had ranged herself up on the American's port beam, Corinne being far in her wake some three quarters of a mile distant. Florinda was a quarter of a mile astern of Cetonia, with Gertrude (Mr. Watt) two miles distant on the lee beam. Faustine and Gertrude (Mr. Langtry) were sailing along in close company two miles astern of Florinda. The weather was yet dull and overcast, with a slight motion of sea, when the N. E. tide came away, and then, after a little burst^ of sunshine, the air came very chilly. At nine o'clock the wind had drawn forward the beam, and, through keeping a course close to windward of the mark, Enchantress and Corinne got a fine lift, as well as having about double the power of wind Cetonia and Florinda had ; whilst Gertrude (Mr. Langtry) and Faustine were bringing up a breeze that put them up close to Gertrude (Mr. Watt) and passed Hirondelle by some two miles. How much better the Enchantress went when she took wind just forward the beam then she did running, was ob- vious enough, and now that it freshened a little neither Cetonia nor Corinne could by long chalks compass her speed; the Corinne was in the same streak of wind, but neither Ce- tonia nor Florinda had the same weight. Ere the markboat was reached they came to a close haul, and with it a softening of the wind ; maintopmast-staysails were run down on the schooners and jib topsails also, for rounding ; and, as will be seen by the appended times, the tailing from first to last was so considerable that it would be futile work to attempt to show how partial and spotty the breeze must have been on the twenty miles, reach down to the western mark, viz.: H. M. s. H. M. s. Enchantress 10 2 30 Gertrude (Langtry). . . 10 44 Corinne 10 10 Faustine 10 48 Cetonia 10 15 Mesange (1st French Florinda 10 20 40 yacht). .10 50 Gertrude (Watt) ... 10 41 HirondeUe 10 52 ^achtsman s Scrap Book. Enchantress ran up fore balloon topsail and balloon maintop mast staysail, after having taken nearly a minute and a half in staying round the mark. There was no tide to consider, and thus, with a free wind, the direct course was steered for the winning mark off Cape Le Heve, bearing E. by 1ST., distant twenty-four miles. Up to 10:30 the leading vssssls ran with a light and failing breeze just abaft the port beam, but which kept gradually drawing more aft. At eleven o'clock the sun came out intensely hot, and so dried up the wind as to become nearly a case of doldrums. Enchantress might have got into a calmer streak than either Corinne or Cetonia, the last named pair taking a wide berth on her port (lee) side, and leaving her in turn, fast as the American was going through the water. N oon brought a little more air, with a light summer haze, and at 12.30 there was a beautiful true balloon topsail breeze. Cor- inne now, with a clear lead, of half a mile from Cetonia, set her spinnaker on bowsprit, and then Florinda, who had now also run past Enchantress, followed the fashion. At one o'clock Cetonia had nearly drawn up on Corinne's beam, when the latter spurted off in a little extra lift of wind, and at the same time Florinda came blowing at the bow with a double measure from the bel- lows. Enchantress had the wind lighter, there was no doubt, but, even when in the same strart, could not run as fast as either of the English schooners. Corinne, with a thorough racing fit- out, was materially helped by having two spinnakers when the wind came far enough aft to set the main one and carry the other on the bowsprit ; but as to area of sail, of course the En- chantress should on any point have had the heels of the smaller vessels, even in light winds. Florinda carried a breeze from a mile astern of Cetonia right through her lee and out ahead, and wanted but a little distance to have taken time from the Cor- inne. Gertrude (2), Faustine, Hirondelle, and Scapin (first French yacht) brought a breeze up that closed them in with the leading vessels, but not near enough to in any way affect the result. Two miles from home Corinne took in main spinnaker, and finished with one fore jib. THE INTERNATIONAL CHANNEL MATCH. THE " CORf />w// tlie Graphic, London., August 8, 1874. " Enchantress." FE" AND "ENCHANTRESS" STRUCK BY A SQUALL. OF THX UNIVERSITY CHAPTER IX. INTEKNATIONAL CHANNEL MATCH. YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE AND ROYAL ALBERT YACHT CLUB. From Havre to Southsea July 27, 1874. OPEN TO YACHTS OF ALL NATIONALITIES. By the Yacht Club De France and the Koyal Albert Yacht Club. First Prize. (Given by the Yacht Club de France) the Glad- iators, two silver statues, unpublished models, offered by M. J. L. Gerome, Painter, member of the "Institut de France," value 320 besides the value of art, the value of metal only is 120. Second Prize. (Given by the Yacht Club de France) a silver cup (Grande Patere Minerve, du Tresor de Hildesheim), value 80. Third Prize. A silver cup, value 25, given by the Royal Albert Yacht Club. Special Prizes. A purse of 12, offered by the Yacht Club- de France, to the yacht arriving first, whatever the rig, but float- ing the French flag. A purse of 8, offered by the Yacht Club de France, to the yacht arriving second, whatever the rig, but floating the French flag. 1 62 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. To start from Havre roads, on the 27th of July, at four o'clock, at high water. The time of starting of each vessel will be taken by chronom- eter, at the moment of passing through an imaginary line drawn from the shore to the starting buoy floating special flag, by the Committee of the Yacht Club de France. In like manner, the time of each yacht will be taken on its passing the winning mark off Southsea, by the Committee of the Eoyal Albert Yacht Club. If the first vessel in is a cutter and if she saves her time on her rig, she will take the first prize. The second prize can only be won, on the same conditions, by a schooner or a yawl. The third prize will be taken by the first yacht of a different rig to the former ones and on the same conditions. The allowance of time for tonnage (which is only to be applied with regard to yachts of the same rig) as well as the ton- nage measurement, will be according to the Rules of the Royal Albert Yacht Club. In all other respects with the exception of time allowance and tonaage measurement, the Rules of the Yacht Club de France will be adhered to. In case of dispute, the Committee of the Royal Albert Yacht Club and the Committee of the Conseil Maritime du Yacht Club de France will decide. There will be no entrance fee for any yachts carrying the flag of the Yacht Club de France. For all others it will be 4=. But, on payment of this sum, the vessel so doing acquires the right of carrying the flag of the Yacht Club de France and of enjoying the privileges attached to it during the present year, and during the following years by payment of 16s. per year. Each yacht on entering must state the distinguishing colors of her racing flag and at the same time pay the entrance fee. In the event of the vessels arriving in the night, the Mark- International Channel Match. 163 boat, at Southsea, will show three vertical lights and throw up a rocket on the arrival of each vessel. Yachts are to pass near enough to the markboattogisre their names and tonnage. COMMITTEE OF THE MATCH. President, M. G-. Benoit-Champy, Yice-President of the Yacht Club de France. Members, The members of the "Conseil Maritime" of the Yacht Club de France; MM. de Rouge (Marquis), the Capt. J. H. Anderson; the Members of the Committee of the Royal Albert Yacht Club; MM. Champeaux, Larue, Mandrot and Marcel, Members of the Committee of the Societe des Regates du Havre. YACHTS TO ENTEE UP TO THE 15ra JULY. At Paris, at the Secretaryship of the Yacht Club de France rue Louis le Grand. At Southsea, at the Secretaryship of the Royal Albert Yacht Club Club House. At Havre at the Secretaryship of the Societe des Regates du Havre, 31, quai d' Orleans. VICE- ADMIRAL BARON CL. DE LA EONCIERE-LE NOURY, President of the Yacht- Club de France. COUNT E. BATTHYANY, E. N. E. Rear- Commodore of the Royal- Albert- Yacht- Club. The, Commercial Advertiser, New York, July 29, 1874. THE INTEKNATIONAL YACHT RAGE. * It quickens all hearts on this side of the Atlantic to read that in the International Yacht Race on Monday, in the English chan- nel, the American yacht Enchantress came in first, leading the fleet by eleven minutes and forty seconds. Unfortunately she lost the fruits of her prowess through time allowance, but it is 1 64 r acktsmaris Scrap Book. gratifying to know that the stars and stripes were the first to greet the eyes of our English neighbors at Southsea. The race had been arranged by the Yacht Club of France, and the point of departure was Havre. Ten yachts started, but the cable only tells us that the American came in first, followed by the Corinne, the latter taking the prize by time allowance. The Enchantress is schooner built, is owned by M. J. F. Loubat, and belongs to the New York Yacht Club. The brilliant feat of the American champion will give a new impetus to international contests in deep water. The New York Times, New York, July 31, 1874. Mr. Loubat's fine yacht the Enchantress, appears to be sustain- ing abroad the reputation for speed and stanchness which she won in our waters. In the recent international race from Havre to Southsea, under the management of the French Yacht Club, the Enchantress, although becalmed all night, came in ahead of the fleet by nearly twelve minutes. The cup, indeed, she failed to secure, that being awarded to her nearest competitor on time allowance ; but her performance shows that American yachts have little to fear from any foreign rivals. Some months ago Mr. Loubat suffered a great deal of ill-considered and wild criticism from certain newspapers because he insisted, as he had a clear right to do, upon claiming a challenge cup for which his only contestant had refused to sail. It gives us the more pleas- ure, therefore, to record his present success. Bell's Life in London, London, August 1, 1874. CHANNEL RACE FROM HAVRE TO SOUTHSEA. After Saturday's match the whole fleet of competitors, ex- cepting the Enchantress, came into harbor, and thus ensured a quiet day preparatory to the Channel Race on Monday. On Sat- International Channel Match. i65 u relay night the wind freshened, and on Sunday morning blew strong on the rise of the flood, a nasty roll coming into the bay, and the long counter of the Enchantress popping very unplea- santly. She consequently joined the harbor division, and came out with the rest about 9 o'clock on (Monday) the morning of the race. The start had with the first issue of the program been set for 4: P.M. high water so it was stated, but low water would have been nearer the mark, seeing that the morning tide of Mon- day was at 8.50. In consequence of this, and the glaring un- suitability of the appointed time, an effort was made to induce the committee to alter the starting hour, the idea being readily enough taken up by the executive of the French Yacht Club, and debated on. Many matters, however, having been prearranged, it was elicited that it would be impolitic to interfere with exist- ing arrangements, other than that of postponing the start until, the day following at 8 o'clock. To this proposition many pre- sent were willing to accede ; but in the end it was determined to stand by the original program, and out of this expressed ul- timatum some little unpleasantness arose, which, however, has doubtless by this time been smoothed over, and will have no more lasting impression upon French yachtsmen than upon those from this side the channel. Sunday's breeze had blown itself out, and St. Adresse Bay was as smooth as a dyke by noon on Monday, at which hour the whole of the competitors except Mr. Langtry's Gertrude nine in number, showed up, arid the time dragged wearily enough without the slightest prospect of a breeze. With a delay of an hour came a little chill, but this, the lightest of topsail breezes, was nearly spun out by sundown. In the first watch came a clock calm, and the air from a close haul at starting, when a little draught did come breezed up dead aft, then with a temporary burst came a fight between an easterly and westerly breeze, the catspaws prevailing in the end from the latter quarter ; in one of these vagrant airs Corinne got a start, such as is often seen in the Channel, which sent her away roaring from the Gwendolin, and giving her quite an eight mile 1 66 A Yachtsman s Scrap Boot lead, sufficient, in fact, to put a heavy mortgage in her favor on the most valuable prize of the year, and this before nearly half of the course had been sailed. Subsequently, however, she well held her place, and is, no doubt, a greatly improved vessel since the early part of the season. A palpable error in judgment at the finish might, however, have nullified her first advantage, and lost the Corinne the race, the outrageous carrying on at such a juncture being out of all countenance. The Enchantress when a breeze came, illustrated the utter futility of anything in the race attempting to reach with her, and we should think that in a fresh breeze, with the wind on the beam, she could open out a two mile lead in every hour from the best one pitted against her on Monday last. Run, however, she will not, and in sailing to wjndward, the task of rendering a satisfactory result might be safely left with the Cetonia. Of the rest we feel convinced that had the Gwendolin started on the previous form her winning chance was far before the Corinne's, and in the result of this race one cannot but trace the same provoking run of ill-luck Major Swing's schooner has en- countered so persistently of late. The Cetonia we knew to be out of trim and required docking. This there seems to be no doubt was the cause of her not appearing in her previous fine form. The Florinda was within an ace of getting served by the Hirondelle, as the Corinne did the Gwendolin, Mr. Quilter's yawl sailing a very good race with Mr. Jessop's notability, and only being out of it when simply overpowered by weight of breeze. The Florinda, reckoning the second prize in this race, has thus accomplished nine consecutive wins, a very remarkable yachting coincidence. Of the Faustine nothing need be said, but the Mesange deserves a passing compliment. The first part of the race, as we have said, was paltry in the extreme, but the end, as will be seen in our detailed report, made some little amends for the unsatisfactory outset. The following were con- ditions and entries, the Gertrude alone not starting : The race was under the auspices of the Yacht Club ae France and the Boyal Albert Yacht Club of England, open to International Channel Match. \ 67 yachts of all nations. Course, from Havre to Southsea ; The entries were : YACHTS. BIG. TONS. OWNERS. Cetonia Schooner 202 Mr. W. Turner. Comtede Chambord (F)Cutter. 26 Mr. M. E. Garden. Oorinne Schooner 165 Mr. N. Wood. Enchantress (American). Schooner 320 Mr. J. F. Loubat. Faustine " Schooner 120 Mr. J. P. Kussell. Florinda Yawl 136 Mr. W. Jessop. Gertrude Yawl 80 Mr. E. Langtry. Gwendolin Schooner 192 Major Ewing. Mesange (French) . . Cutter . . 40 Mr. M. Le Boy d'Etiolles. Scapin " Cutter. . . 31 Mr. M. Leon Baque. From a flat calm at 4 o'clock there came a few stray veins, and at an hour after the appointed starting hour a neutral tint on the sea away in the northern board gave notice of a breeze that, in a few minutes, ruffled the whole of the bay, and set several at shifting. Very quickly the Corinne's balloon topsails disappeared for working ones, and then the Enchantress and the G-wendolin came to two jib-headers, the Cetonia's two working sails appearing after all about the correct thing ; but one and all seemed to be of a mind that wind was meant from the clouds and dark sea-line. A further provoking delay made some rather impatient to be sent off, but it was 5.12.10 before the gun was fired, and then this was the order and time of their being logged crossing the line : H. M. S. H. M. S. Hirondelle 5 17 Chainbord 5 20 50 Florinda 5 18 Gwendolin 5 21 Cetonia 5 19 Enchantress 5 22 50 Mesange 520 Faustine 527 Scapin 5 20 30 Corinne 2 30 10 The Hirondelle^ Florinda, Cetonia, Mesani>e, Enchantress, and Corinne, shot round the markboat in stays, and headed off about N. W., with a light breeze from N. by E. The Corinne lost some three minutes at start, and the Gwendolin and the Faustine, who were far under Cape La Heve, made a poor be- ginning indeed. For the first half hour the breeze continued 1 68 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. northerly, and jib -topsails were run up to bend a hand on the close haul. At 6 o'clock the breeze had so freed that a course N. by W. for the Nab was being made good. At this time the Cetonia had drawn out from under lee of the Florinda, and be- come leading vessel, the Corinne and the Gwendolin coming up fast away fine on the weather quarter of the Florinda, the Hiron- delle being close upon the latter's weather quarter, while far away astern of all was the Faustine. All the time of the close haul the Enchantress had been dropping to leeward of the Ce- tonia ; and, although in the first instance she had tacked at the markboat, well clear of the Cetonia's wind, she was now fairly under her lee-quarter, and, forereaching not a whit faster and not looking within a point of the Cowes schooner course. The Corrine brought up a luffing breeze, which put her up with the Hirondelle; and, at 6:30, with a failing wind free enough for maintopmast staysails,and spinnakers on bowsprit jib-headed topsails came down and ballooners went up on the Enchantress, Corinne, and Gwendolin, and then balloon staysails were bent to the stays and hoisted. At 7 o'clock the Cetonia was the leading vessel, with the Florinda second, and the Enchantress third. The Gwendolin and Corinne, however, away to the eastward, were bringing more wind up with them, and at 7:45 Major Ewing's vessel went fairly past the Florinda to windward, and by 8 was up on the Cetbnia's starboard beam, carrying a breeze. The Corinne also went past the Florinda and Cetonia, the Enchantress hang- ing under the lee quarter of the Cetonia, and not altering her position a jot. The water was as smooth as a lake at 8:15, and at 8:30 the wind had nearly died out in the eastward. A light breeze was yet playing, but the Cetonia and the Enchantress, to the westward, were in the doldrums, and had both the Gwen- dolin and the Corinne now ahead of them. The Corinne drew up close to the Gwendolin, and after a luff the Cowes schooner took the lead, both carrying a little breeze, but the Corinne having apparently the best. Heavy thunderclouds were hanging in the X. W. when the sun went down, but other than a passing International Channel Match. 1 69 blow out of one of these steely-looking banks, the sky had not the least appearance of wind. By 9 o'clock the evening had deepened so quickly as to render the Corinne and the Gwendolin almost indistinct from the Enchantress and the Florinda, but from the Cetonia the Corinne could be made out drawing away from the Gwendolin, and astern the Faustine and the Hirondelle had a little breeze, by which they closed the land in fast from the Enchantress, Florinda, and Cetonia,, who had the wind on the masthead. At 9 Cape Antifer Light bore S. E. by E., and La Heve Lights S. By 9:30 a little air came up right aft, and spin- nakers were set, the Cetonia and the Florinda running along almost beam and beam, with the Enchantress a quarter of a mile astern of Mr. Turner's schooner. Gwendolin also set her spinnaker, and stealing up on the Corinne unperceived, went past her to windward ere the latter thought of squaring off her boom and setting sail for a run. By 10 o'clock there had been several gybes ; but after this the wind came from the S. W., and the Corinne once more drew up on the Gwendolin's beam, the Cetonia and the Florinda's position being now equally good with those of the Corinne and Gwendolin, and in fact both they and the Enchantress were nearer than any of the rest to the Nab ; a freeing of the wind to the southward would, of course, how- ever, give the lee vessels the best chance through drawing to and getting everything to draw, while the weather line would be more off the wind. At 11.30 the Corinne, about 200 yards from the Gwendolin took a westerly draught, which freshened as she went on, and with a lee tide she made herself a breeze which lasted her out until she was fairly out of sight of everything else, the rest meanwhile lying with scarcely steerage way. Save a light eye where the sun went down, the night was cloudy, and it was 4= o'clock when the Corinne was made out with a good six miles lead of the Cetonia, the Gwendolin being third in position, then the Enchantress, Florinda, Hirondelle and Faustine. At 4.30 a clinking breeze came up from the westward, and the Enchantress soon drew out from the Cetonia, the Gwendolin fairly reaching \ichtsmaris Scrap Book. away from the last named, but the Florinda being left fast b} schooners. As before stated, the two lee vessels, the Corinne and G-wendolin, had an advantage in being in a position to gel; their sails drawing better than the Cetonia; but the Enchantress, although similarly situated, drew fast on the pair, and quickly reached past the Gwendolin, going at a tremendous pace after the Corinne, and illustrating that the vaunted 16 knots was no1; moonshine. It was only a question of distance for the Enchan- tress to have won; she passed the Corinne about the Nab, the latter now, with the same strength of wind that had come up a^ 4.30, being smothered with sail, and with a little sea on the tide the gear was getting hardly used. The Corinne had two ballooners and spinnaker for jib when, at 7 o'clock, the wind shortened, and made the big headsail lift; one shake and al full again, and down came both topmasts, the main topsail yarc and main-gaff also going, and leaving Mr. Wood's smart little craft a pitiable object. She was kept going her course while the wreck was cleared away, the flying Enchantress of course picking up precious minutes; but from the Nab it was too shor to hope to save her time from the Corinne, even in her cripplee state. Gwendolin stuck to her ballooners to the finish, but wa*. wary in running down headsail and main topmast staysail. Major E wing's vessel came in in such style that we thought it a pity the Corinne's fluke had left the Gwendolin out of it, especially as we hear she will not sail again this year. The Enchantress finished first, her performance at reaching during the time then; had come a fair sailing breeze being a splendid one; but th<$ Corinne was well within time, and took the big 320 prize, the; Florinda second (40), and the Mesange the prize for French yachts. The official times of arrival were: H. M. s. H. M. s. Enchantress 7 21 40 Hirondelle 8 48 35 Corinne 73320 Faustina 9 120 Gwendolin 7 53 15 Mesange 9 23 10 Cetonia 7 54 56 Scapin 9 36 30 Florinda. . . .8 12 45 Chambord. . ..9 49 50 International Channel Match. 1 7 1 The Field, London, August 1, 1874. THE YACHT CLUB OF FRANCE. Monday, July 27. We have been over and over again asked why the members of the Yacht Club de France gave 400 in prizes to bring about a match between English and American yachts. Knowing the fondness our Gallic friends have for the sea and all its influences, we replied a little too simple was that reply perhaps it was their love of watching a good contest upon water. A satisfac- tory confirmation was given to this answer at Havre on Sunday, by the announcement that many members of the club had arrived from Paris, and had chartered a steamer to accompany the match across Channel. This was evidence that a keen interest was taken in the coming contest, and the Englishmen present were charmed ; indeed, so warm was the enthusiasm evoked at Fras- cati's, that they would have embraced their admirers had it been a custom the phlegmatic Britishers were tutored in. As it was, Mr. Midshipman Easy took Alphonse by the hand, and assured him that all the yacht owners present felt proud of the admiration they had excited in the minds of Frenchmen, and that they would only be too glad to teach them the art of yacht- ing, as they had taught them everything else before. The mutual adulation being over, and its debilitating effects removed by all round doses of B. and S., the expert Britisher began to think it was time to question some of the arrangements of the contest. There is no doubt our countrymen and we might say countrywomen do like to see a yacht match sailed ; and it is very certain, if the match be sailed in the dark, they cannot so see it. Accordingly, as the Yacht Club de France had arranged that the start should be an afternoon one four o'clock the English- men present ventured to ask that they might be allowed to start at 9 A. M., especially as they would have to be outside in the bay at that hour. But the Frenchmen who delight in. yacht sailing are made of stubborn stuff, and would not yield an inch, even 172 A Yachts mans Scrap Book. though they themselves were barred viewing the contest. ments should not be changed, they argued, out of mere caprice; ; j and moreover they had agreed to banquet themselves at one o'clock, three hours before the start, and then rise to view the fight with emotions that the gods might envy. The morrow came, and a wet, dirty-looking morrow it was, very little wind, a leaden sky, and a drizzling rain. At eight o'clock all the yachts that were to meet in the contest were towed outside and anchored in the bay, to wait a dreary eight hours for four o'clock. Two o'clock came, and we began to lock anxiously for the steamer freighted with the members of the Yacht Club ; but they came not yet, and the Dollond which v r e turned upon the glittering corridors of Frascati told us the carousal was still unfinished. But banquets, like other good things, must come to an end, and presently at three o'clock the steamer, flying the tri-color of the Yacht Club de France and the blue ensign of the Royal Albert Yacht Club, came out of the harbor. At 3.30 she was alongside the nearest yacht, and gave final instructions that the match would be started at 4 p. M. across an imaginary line. The steamer then made off ,o the other yachts, and, as they were very much scattered aboi t, it took her just one hour and a half to go to thei;i all and thon get into position W. ~N. W. of Cape La Heve to form the line :>f the start. And so five o'clock came before the gun wis fired, and, with only three hours of daylight before us, we begnn to think that the good things partaken of at Frascati's would lose our French friends a sight of the match. We were think- ing how best we could condole with them on this disappointmer t, when lo ! directly the start had taken place away steamed the Club vessel straight for the Culvers, leaving the yachts to .them- selves and Davy Jones. "There/' says Dipsey Sounding in oir ear, "Talk of Mossoo taking an interest in a yacht match ! thoy know as much about it as a Kaffer does of the Sanscrit for peak purchase ; I tell ye it's all done for political reasons." "Well, it was rather a nose-ender to see that steamer steam away, but in ten minutes we had sunk our wonderment, the steamer, Dipsay International Channel Match. 173 Sounding's political reasons, and all the rest of it ; and thought nly of the contest and that very wicked-looking young lady La Belle Americaine. There had been a nice sou'-westerly breeze during the early norning; but after noon the breeze died away, and up to three >'clock there was scarcely a ripple upon the water. Then there ame a smart breeze from the northward, straight across from he Nab, and the vessels that had sent up balloon topsails hauled hem down. These were Gwendolin and Enchantress, and they ow sent up jib-headers, and Corinne sent up big workers. But >efore the gun was given for the start the breeze died out to ight airs, and everybody wished that the dark clouds and the hill from them had not frightened ballooners off the vessels. ?he match did no. t, for the first part, prove a very exciting affair, ,nd told us very little concerning the merits of the vessels. However, we could see that the Enchantress is a slouch close- lauled off a light wind, and that the Gwendolin is better than Oetonia under similar conditions ; but then we knew that before. ?he Corinne moved very fast in the light wind, and from the first half-hour looked the most dangerous vessel in the race. It as a pity she got so far away from the others during the night, hilst they were becalmed, as we could not fairly judge of her >erformance in the fine reaching breeze which blew after three 'clock on Tuesday morning ; but there is no doubt she kept up he reputation she made on the Thames for fast reaching. The Jetonia, we take it, was not doing quite her best, whilst Gwen- lolin never sailed better, and had she been lucky enough to have hared in the breeze that took Corinne away from her at mid- light, she would have won. The Florinda no doubt would have given the schooner some trouble had the northerly wind held ; ut of course, when it came to reaching, she had no chance gainst such big schooners. The Hirondelle sailed very well, and t was no disgrace for her to be beaten 36 minutes by such a vessel s Florinda over an eighty miles course. The Faustine is a :unny kind of racing craft, but she might find a worthy antag- nist in the Harlequin, and we should be inclined to back the 174 A Yachtsman's Scrap Book. but it iii as some ailed re- latter. We know this is rather hard on the Faustine, but it only right she should be pitted against a vessel she has some chance of beating. The three French yachts were sailed re markably well, and everybody was pleased to see a French gen- tleman win one of the three prizes. Match, from Havre to Southsea, for three prizes. The first vessel in to determine the rig of the winner of the first prize. Time allowance, twice the .Royal Albert Yacht Club scale. The start to be made underway, and the time each vessel crossed the line to be taken and accounted for at the finish ; no time beyond fifteen minutes to be allowed for at the start : ENGLISH YACHTS. YACHT. RIG. TONS. Cetonia Schooner 202 Gwendoliu .... Schooner 192 Corinne ....... Schooner 165 Florinda Yawl 136 Hirondelle ... Yawl 68. . AMERICAN YACHTS. Enchantress . . Schooner 320 Faustine.. ,. Schooner.. . 120.. OWNER. Mr. W. Turner. Major Ewing. Mr. N. Wood. Mr. W. Jessop. Mr. W. C. Quilter. Mr. J. F. Loubat Mr. P. Kussell. FRENCH YACHTS. Mesange Cutter 40 M.Le Dr.leRoy d'Etiolleu Scapin Cutter 31 M. Leon Baque. Comte de Chambord 26 M. E. Cardon. At 5 o'clock the club steamer took up a position three mile:, W. N. W. of the Lighthouse on Cape La Heve, forming the line? for the start. All the yachts were to the southward of the line, the Gwendolin, Faustine, Scapin, and Count de Chambord inside the bank, close under the Cape, and the others on the leeward end of the line. Course : from the line of Cape La Heve to ? , markboat off the Horse Shoal, near Southsea ; about eighty miles N. by W. At 5.15 the gun was fired for the start, and Hirondelle wan the first across at 5.20, standing on starboard tack 1ST. W. by N, JN.; wind light from N. X. E. Florinda was the next over International Channel Match, 175 under Hirondelle's lee quarter at 5.22.30, and in the wake of her came Cetonia at 5.24.0. The Mesange struck into the latter's trail, and crossed the line at 5.25 ; and the Enchantress went across close after her at 5.26. Then came the Gwendolin in- shore and high on their weather at 5.27, followed by the two other Frenchmen and the Faustine. The Corinne was still to the southward, and, standing in on port tack, crossed the line about midway at 5.33, so far as we could judge, having thus lost three minutes at the start. The wind, as we have said, was light, and flying about a great deal, directly after the start altering to N., much to the disadvantage of those who had started inshore. Jib topsails went up all round, and there was enough heart in the wind to send Florinda through Hirondelle's lee half an hour after the start. Gwendolin and Corinne, too, were doing well in the light breeze, and were gradually creeping up on Enchantress and Cetonia wide on their port beam. At six o'clock the Enchant- ress hauled down her fore jib-header, and sent up a wooden- headed one, Gwendolin at the same time shifting hers for a ballooner, both sticking to main jib-headers. The wind now commenced to eastern in earnest, but remained dreadfully light ; their heads by 6.15 were up to N. \ W., and this brought Gwen- dolin and Corinne from the weather quarter to weather beam of Cetonia and weather bow of Enchantress. These four schooners seemed pretty evenly matched in the light wind, and if there was any difference in their speed Corinne was the fastest, gradu- ally eating up to Gwendolin. The wind seemed inclined to free them still more, but Cetonia shifted her balloon fore stay- sail for a working one, whilst Corinne and Gwendolin thought it an occasion for exactly the reverse, and shifted workers for ballooners. As the breeze easterned there came a little more weight in it, but still it was only of balloon topsail strength, and the passage over promised to be a protracted one. At 6.50 all could head N. by E. two points above their course, and Enchant- ress sent up maintopmast staysail, and Gwendolin shifted No. 2 for big reaching jib. Corinne, too, now had a leading wind, went in ij6 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. for a change, and, stowing her jib and jib topsail on the bowsprit, hauled up spinnaker, instead for head sail; but we fancied Gwendolin reached away from her after she made the change. With sheets started, the schooners were marching up to the two yawls, and both dandies hauled up a bit to show the former a leeward passage. At T.10, with a beam wind all easterly, Gwendolin hauling up maintopmast staysail, burst through Hirondelle's lee, and went on in the wake of Florinda, who was still a quarter of a mile ahead. Corinne, sending up a balloon maintopsail, followed Gwendolin through Hirondelle's lee, and both had reached past the Enchantress. The latter now sent up main balloon topsail, and Gwendolin main working topsail, the sky at present having anything but a pleasant look about it. At ' 7 .30 Gwendolin went past on Florinda's weather, and became the leading vessel, having fairly sailed past everything in the fleet. But there was a rival for honors close astern of the Gwendo- lin in the person of Corinne, and that young lady, with a weight of wind in her sails, was luffed out across the stern of Gwendo- lin with the idea of passing on her weather. It is much the quicker way, as everybody knows, to pass a vessel to windward, and Corinne had already been long enough under Gwendolines lee quarter to know she could find no passage to leeward. At first it looked as if she could not get past to windward either, but presently a fresher breeze took hold of her, and up she marched to Gwendolin. The latter, out of politeness or flurry, conceded her a weather passage, and so at eight o'clock Corinne became a leading vessel. Then Gwendolin, sorry for her good nature, hauled up across Corinne's stern, in order to repass her if she could, and surely Corinne was bound to yield the passage. But Corinne's sailing master has evidently not learnt his manners in a high bred French school, and instead of taking off his cap and bowing a weather passage to Gwendolin, commenced luffing at her savagely. Gwendolin, stung by such ingratitude, commenced luffing too, and presently the pair were by the wind, heading N. E., the spinnaker of the Corinne's bow- International Channel Match. 177 sprit falling into folds. Still Gwendolin could not get past, although she got well nigh abeam, and the wind falling light, she gave up the attempt, and as Gwendolin eased her helm Corinne did the same, so botli bore up to their course N. by W., and were still the leading vessels at 8.30. The wind continued to die away, and as the red glare left by the setting sun disap- peared the evening became very dark ; but the full moon would soon be due, and then the sailing would become prettier. As the wind lightened it got round southerly, and at 9.15 Gwendo- lin's crew, going to work very quietly, got out main spinnaker to starboard, Corinne at the time being under her port beam, Florinda and Hirondelle astern, and Cetonia and Enchantress away under her lee quarter, felowly, but surely, Gwendolin went past on Corinne's weather, and at 9.30 was again leading vessel. Corinne now ran off main boom and set spinnaker, but only just in time to prevent Gwendolin getting clear away. The wind now got to the westward of south and brought the vessels by the lee, and to keep on their course Gwendolin and Corinne gybed to port tack at 9.45. The wind came westerly very fast, and at ten o'clock it was abeam due west, whilst at nine they had it abeam easterly. The westerly wind brought a smart shower of rain, but by half-past ten the sky had cleared, and the bright full moon showed up all the vessels. Gwendo- lin, with Corinne on her port (weather) beam, was still leading, and Cetonia and Enchantress were broad on their weather quarter ; whilst Florinda and Ilirondelle were dragging along in the wake of Corinne. At eleven o'clock all were in a roaring calm, with noontide heat. Then a little air came from S. S.W., which brought about a squaring of booms, and Gwendo- lin set fore spinnaker, reserving her main for a probable gybe in the course of a few minutes. They lay with very little motion up to 11.30, when Corinne was seen to take a light breeze abeam westerly, and stole ahead of Gwendolin. The latter was not a cable's length from her, but was left becalmed, her sails flipping in folds as she yielded to the swell. In twenty minutes the Corinne was lost to the 178 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. rest of the fleet, having sailed clean away with the westerly breeze, and we suppose a greater fluke was never scored. Gwen- dolin now, for want of something better to do, set about shifting her main balloon topsail, and when that job was completed hauled up maintopmast staysail. But it was all to no purpose, and one after the other she saw Cetonia and Enchantress steal past broad on her weather, and Florinda ranged up abeam. They were now about thirty miles from Cape La lleve, and where Corinne was gone no one knew OQ board the other craft. From midnight up to 2 A. M. Gwendolin lay well-nigh be- calmed, with Florinda in the same plight, when at that hour a light air came out from S.W. ; by 2.30 it had increased in strength and backed to S. S.W., so spinnakers were got out Gwendolin setting hers on foremast, and water-sail under mair boom. Up to four o'clock the wind continued to increase and hauled more westerly, and at last, coming out W .S. W., due abeam, brought in spinnakers. It was now sunrise, and Corinne, that had been lost so many hours, was made out leading five miles ahead of Enchantress, on the latter's weather bow, and to windward of her course ; two miles under the lee-quarter of the Enchantress was the Cetonia, and h-.ilf a mile under the lee- quarter of Cetonia were Gwendolin and Florinda abeam. Scat- tered about three miles astern of Florinda were Ilirondelle. Mesange, Faustine, Comte de Chambord, and Scapin, all having closed up during the darkness by bringing up the westerly breeze. They now had a fine scupper breeze on the port beam, an< the big Yankee was tearing along with a tremendous burst speed, hauling Corinne back to her, and leaving Cetonia and Gwendolin fast. The latter two were carrying a pretty whito feather in their teeth, and both, we think, were gaining on Cor- inne. But Gwendolin was showing the finer speed, and, drop, ping Florinda, marched through Cetonia's lee in a way we did not expect. It was now really fine sailing, and the cool morning breeze refreshed one after the sultry calm of the middle watch. Soon the white Culver Cliffs of the Isle of Wight loomed up in International Channel Match. 179 the bright sunbhine, and Enchantress, going as fast perhaps as Guinevere could in such a breeze, was rapidly getting hold of Corinne. At 6 o'clock, at the eastern end of Sandown Bay, the Yankee was within a half a mile of the Cowes boat ; but the latter was making a bold tight of it, and her fine speed was bound to carry her home the victress. But Corinne, after her good fortune of the night, was now about to get her turn of ill luck, and we must admit it was rather a severe one when it came. At 6.45 Enchantress went past on her weather, and gave her such a shake up that when she filled again down came her fore and main topmasts, spinnaker on bowsprit breaking the fore one and main ballooner and main topmast staysail the other. Worse than this, the balloon topsail yard fell across the main gaff, and smashed that ; so Corinne was indeed in trouble. However, with all the wreck hanging about her it was impossible to clear it whilst under way spinnaker was cut adrift altogether she kept her course for the channel between the .Norman and Horse Shoal, the Yankee clipper going clean away. Gwendulin im- mediately stowed jib-topsail and hauled down main topmast stay, sail, determined to risk no spar breaking now her chance of win- ning was over. Cetonia, however, continued to drag hers along, but it was doing her little good, as Gwendolin continued to gain a trifle on her the whole way in to the winning Markboat. But little else need be said concerning the match ; Enchantress con- tinued to extend her lead when once past Corinne, and the lat- ter, in her crippled state, was yet able to keep the prize for her- self. The yachts passed the winning mark, and were timed by the Secretary of the Royal Albert Yacht Club, as under : H. M. 8. H. M. 8. Enchantress 7 21 40 Hirondelle 8 48 35 Corinne 7 33 20 Faustine 9 1 26 Gwendolin 7 53 15 Mesange 9 23 10 Cetonia 7 53 56 Scapin 9 36 30 Florinda 8 12 45 Count de Chambord. .9 49 50 The Corinne won the silver images, the Florinda the silver salver, and the Mesange the Royal Albert Cap. The Mesange 180 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. also won a prize, value 12, for the first French yacht in; and and Scapin an 8 prize for second French yacht. Hunt's Yachting Magazine, London, September, 1874. THE YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE. It .certainly appears a curious liberality on the part of our friends across the Channel to offer two prizes, amounting to 400 for a race from France to England. If it was not that they bribe the yachts of "perfidious Albion" largely, to visit their coasts, and entertain them hospitably when they get them there, we might be inclined to suspect that the liberal prizes were given in order to get quit of them ; but as this is not the case, we must conclude that they are only "speeding the parting guest." Another curious part of the proceeding is that the starting time should be fixed for so late an hour as 4 p. M., which makes sail- ing all night a necessity. But, whilst we wonder at their ar- rangements, we admire their generosity. The yachts were carefully towed out of the harbor at 8 A. M., and had to drop their anchors and wait patiently until the start- ing hour, which, as the sailing committee and their friends were anxious to secure a substantial feast before venturing on the treacherous ocean, was delayed until 5 h. 15 m. P. M. Like most ocean matches this one had the usual amount of fluking, and was a very excited affair, excepting just at the finish, when owing to the wholesale smashing on board the Corinne, some degree of excitement took place. The Gwendolin was very unlucky, and the Corinne got hers and her own luck, whilst the Cetonia seemed quite out of form, and did not sail in the style we know she is capable of. The Hirondelle surprised us by the manner in which she went, and had she not carried away her spinnaker boom at a critical period of the race, might have even saved her time on Florinda. Of the Americans the Faustine cut up very badly, and she certainly can have very little claim to being con- sidered a racing vessel ; and the Enchantress, although reaching International Channel Match. 1 8 1 very fast, could do nothing beating to windward in a light breeze. During the night the Corinne got away from every- thing else whilst they were becalmed, sailing very fast indeed, and with go >d luck just before the finish, won from the En- chantress with something in hand, notwithstanding that she lost both topmasts and main-gaff at 'one fell swoop. The conditions and entries were: Match from Havre to Southsea for three prizes. The first vessel in to determine the rig of the winner of the first prize. Time allowance, twice the Royal Albert Yacht Club scale. The start to be made underway, and the time each vessel crossed the line to be taken and accounted for at the finish; no time beyond fifteen minutes to be allowed for at the start : Numbered as in Hunt's Universal Yacht List, for 1874. NO. NAME OF YACHTS. RIG. TONS. OWNERS. 264. .Cetonia (English) . ..Schooner. . 202 . ,W. Turner, Esq. 841 .. Gwendolin " Schooner. . 192 . .Major E wing 340. .Corinne " . . ..Schooner. . 165 . .N. Wood, Esq. 683..Floriada " ....Yawl .. 136 ..W. Jessop, Esq. 924..Hirondelle ' ....Yawl .. 68 . . W. 0. Quilter, Esq. . .Eachaii tress (Amer'n).. Schooner. . 320 ..J. F. Loubat, Esq. ..Faustine " ..Schooner.. 120 . . J. P. Eussell, Esq. . . Mesange (French) . . Cutter . . 40 . . M. Le Dr. le Boy d'Etiolles ..Scapin " ..Cutter .. 31 . . M. Leon Baque . . Comte de Chambord . . Cutter . . 26 . . M. E. Cardon The Hirondelle was the first across the line at 5 h. 18 m., with Florinda next, whilst the Corinne was last, losing some two or three minutes at the start. The wind was very light and shifty, but coming in little gusts from the north and north-east, and balloon sails were set to make the most of it whilst it lasted. Soon the wind got a little stronger, and with more east in it the yachts had it pretty free, and the Gwendolin picked them all up, and at half-past seven was leading vessel. But the Corinne luffing up, unopposed by the Gwendolin, went out on her weather, and passed her ; then the Gwendolin tried to do the Bame, but without the same success, as the Corinne luffed up very hard, and both were standing away from their course. But the Gwendolin at last got her spinnaker out again, and, bearing 182 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. away, got past the Corinne and once more was leading vessel. After this the wind came so far round that a jibe was necessary, and about eleven p. m. all lay becalmed. The first to feel the wind again was the Corinne, which just before midnight got a breeze all to herself, and actually ran clean out of sight of every vessel in the race. Until two A.M. the others were lying as still as if at moorings, when a nice breeze sprung up from southwest, which, backing more southerly, came stronger, and with a beam wind the yachts were bowling along at fair speed. At daybreak the Corinne was leading by about five miles, but with just the wind to suit her, the Enchantress was picking her up like a race horse following a dray horse ; but the former was so far ahead that she was certain to get in within her time, let the American sail ever so fast. A little before seven o'clock the Enchantress over-hauled her,* and passing on her weather took the wind from her, and as the wind once more filled the unfortunate Corinne's sails, down came both topmasts, the topsail-yard falling with such force on the main-gaff as to break it in two. Of course it was no use stopping to pick up the pieces, so the wreck was cut adrift, and the Corinne held her course, winning the first prize notwithstanding her accident. The time of arrival off Southsea was : Hirondelle . . Fanstine. . . . Mesange. . . . Scapin H. M. s. ....8 48 35 ....9 1 26 ....9 23 10 ...9 36 30 H. M. s. Enchantress 7 21 40 Corione 7 33 20 Gwendolin 7 53 15 Cetonia 7 53 56 Florinda 8 12 45 C.de Chambord 9 49 50 The Corinne took the first prize, value 320 ; the Florinda the second, value 80; the Mesange the Albert cup, also 12 prize for first French yacht ; and the Scapin the 8 prize for second French yacht. The Grwendolin stowed flying jib and main staysail on seeing the Corinne's accident, and appeared to sail all the faster for the change. The Enchantress went past the winning flag-boat at a great speed, and with all her canvas set was a sight not easily forgotten. CHAPTER X. THE PKIJSTCE OF WALES'S CHALLENGE CUP EACE. ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON OFFICIAL PROGRAMS. TIME ALLOWANCE FOR YACHTS SAILING FOR THE PRINCE OP WALES CHALLENGE CUP. THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 187*. M. B. M. s. Enchantress, 320, allows Shark. .23 48 Shark, 201, aUows Egeria. .9 48 " Egeria..33 36 1874. BOYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA, ON THURSDAY, AUG. 6. CHALLENGE CUP, THE GIFT OF H. R. H., THE PRINCE OF WALES. For all American and British schooners and yawls of 100 tons and upwards. Yawls to have half their tonnage added. All yachts to be measured by a person appointed by the Sailing Committee of R. Y. S., according to Thames measurement. Time allowance, 12 seconds per ton. No restriction as to hands, canvas, or boats ; in other respects the R. Y. S. Sailing Regulations to be adhered to. 1 84 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. COURSE From Cowes round the Light Yessel on the Shambles, an< back round the Nab, leaving both Light Yessels on the ^ort hand (passing to the Southward of the Isle of Wight), winning between Cowes Castle and a Flagboat moored in the Roads, keeping outside all the buoys and marks on the shoals extending from the Island Shore (Peel and Princess included), except the Mid- dle and Sturbridge. TO START UNDER WEIGH: Three to start or no race. Shark, 201. Egeria, - 152. Enchantress, - 320. To start at A. M. Duke of Rutland. J. Mulholland, Esq. J. F. Loubat. Mark Boat Off Castle Union Jack. MARK BOAT OFF CASTLE, TWO LIGHTS HORIZONTAL BY NIGHT. PREPARATIVE. The owner of any vessel winning a prize,' will be required before the prize is delivered, to sign a declaration that the Sail- ing Regulations have been strictly conformed to. RICHARD GRANT, Secretary. BelVs Life in London, London, August 8, 1874. Cowes, Friday, August IT, (by telegraph.) The Challenge Cup, presented by H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, for all American and English schooners and yawls of 100 tons and upwards; yawls to have half their tonnage added; course from Cowes round the Shambles Lightship and back round the Nab to Cowen ; time race ; Thames measurement ; allowance 12 sec. per ton ; no restriction as to hands, canvas,. or boats ; the cup to be won three times by the same vessel. The Prince of Wales s Challenge Cup Race. i85 The holders were Egeria 1870, Aline 1871, Gwendolin 1872, Egeria 1873. The entries this year were : YACHT. BIG. ' TONS. OWNER. Egeria (holder) Schooner. . 152 . . J. Mulholland, Esq. Shark (challenger) S3hooner . .201 . .Duke of Rutland. Enchantress (do American) . Schooner .. 320 . .J. F. Loubat. The race was started at 6 A.M. on Friday morning. There was a strong breeze from the westward, with a west going tide, and each went across the line at gun fire under whole lower can- vas, the Egeria and Shark with housed topmasts, the Enchant- ress having maintopmast on end. It was a dead beat down to the Needles, and from the first, the Enchantress justified the remarks which have been passed on her, that her weatherly qualities are far inferior to the English vessels. There was but Ittle sea, of course, in the Solent, but she did not care, even witli a breeze fresh enough for housed topmasts and second jibs,, to turn about, and under the north shore was hanging from five to ten minutes in the wind. The Egeria and the Shark both under the circumstances weathered her, and it looked as though she would have a rough Channel passage, as when full and be- fore gathering way fairly wallowing down until waist deep, in fact, buried up to the skylights. The Egeria and Shark were meanwhile spinning to windward in a manner that made th& American's lee berth a more extended one every minute. The Field, London, August 8, 1874. The match round the Shambles was started this morning at six o'clock. The starters were Egeria, Shark and Enchantress. It was a dirty-looking morning, a S.W. wind blowing, with rain. The Enchantress started with housed topmasts, and, as the yachts would most likely fetch right out to the Shambles, she will prob- ably come in a long way ahead. The match will not be con- cluded before evening ; but the Egeria weathered the Enchant- ress on the second board. The latter then carried away her jib- f86 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. boom, and hove to for the purpose of reefing her mainsail, getting under way again she was catching Egeria ; off Newtown she carried away her forestay, and returned to Cowes. Shark also gave up, so Egeria sailed over the course alone. The Daily News, London, August 10, 1874. ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA. COWES, Saturday Evening. In consequence of the series of mishaps to the Enchantress, American schooner, from whom so much had been expected, the race for the Prince of Wales's Challenge Cup was virtually de- cided on Saturday morning, but still there was just the bare pos- sibility that the Egeria might not be able to complete the course. The Enchantress fell early into difficulties, for off Yarmouth she lost her jibboom ; off Sconce Point her jib tack went; and off the east buoy of the Shingles away went her forestay. With these accumulated casualties there was nothing left for her but to return to her anchorage at Cowes. After getting through the Needles Passage, the Egeria met the Channel tide, and took in -sail, and on the return from the Shambles Light made easy sail, and arrived at Cowes at 11.50 P.M. Thus the Egeria became the absolute winner of the Prince of Wales's Challenge Cup, having won it three times, though not in consecutive years, as was orig- inally the conditions of the race. These terms were looked up- on as very hard ones, for if they had been adhered to the Cup would doubtless have remained as a challenge for all time, and this being represented to the Prince of Wales, the original con- ditions were modified, and instead of it being required that the same yacht should win it three years in succession, it was altered to allow any yacht to take it who had won it on three seperate occasions. This good fortune has fallen to the lot of the Egeria; but during the whole time that the prize has been instituted there was always a difficulty in getting yacht-owners to start for it, as there was only a very problematical prospect of getting anything The Prince of Wales s Challenge Cup Race. 187 for their pains, and in consequence of the course taken few per- sons ever had an opportunity of witnessing it, inasmuch on every former occasion the greater part of the race was done in the darkness of the night. The following is the order of winners of this prize : In 1870, by the Egeria; 1871, by the Aline; 1872, by the Gwendolin; and in Ib73 and 1874-, by the Egeria. The Shark after having gone far enough bore up for home, the Duke of Rutland having merely entered for the purpose of making up the conditional three starters. Ere Yarmouth was reached the Enchantress was upwards of a mile to leeward of the Egeria, and hereabout some of her innumerable stays of head-gear gave out, and the jibboom was carried away. She was pitching badly enough even here, but what sort of a figure she would have cut at St. Albans must be left to conjecture. The question was, however, quickly set at rest, through the vessel bearing up, and running back for Cowes, where she arrived about 9 o'clock, her standing jib-stay having apparently given out. as the foremast looked to have come aft. The Egeria, con- sequently hauled down reefs, and sailed over the course by her- self, her owner thus becoming possessor of the Prince of Wales's Cup. Tlie Field, London, August 15, 1874. ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON. We stated last week that the American yacht Enchantress, after a series of mishaps, was obliged to return to Cowes. At the time Enchantress bore up off Hurst, having carried away her forestay, Egeria was a good mile and a half out on her weather, and holding a much better wind than the American yacht. The Egeria had lost some time through the clew of her jib bursting out, and having thereby to shift jibs. The Egeria passed out through the Needles at 8 A. M., and, with the wind strong at W. S. W., had well nigh a dead beat of something like thirty miles before her. There was a big sea on, but Egeria, snugged down to double-reefed main- 1 88 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. sail (foresail stowed), reefed staysail, and small jib, jogging along easily, was making excellent weather of it. She weath- ered the Shambles Lightship at 3.55 p. M., having worked down by long leg on port tack and short one on starboai'd off shore. For the run up Channel to the Nab, foresail was set,, but no other change made, and she made the Lightship at the eastern end of the island at 10 p. M. Cowes was reached at 11.50, and Egeria at midnight let go her anchor in the Roads. The Egeria won the Prince of Wales's Challenge Cup in 1870, beating the Guinevere, &e. ; she again won it last year, beat- ing the Morna. Having again won it this year, she has com- plied with the conditions of the donor, and won it three times* Mr. Mulholland thus becomes the winner of the cup. The prize was originally offered as an inducement to get the American yachts to compete against those of England, but up to the time the Enchantress entered no American had com- peted for it. Everyone seems rejoiced that the cup is finally disposed of, and we assume that challenge cups are not popular* Hunt's Yachting Magazine, London, September, 1874. August 7th: The race for the Prince of Wales's Challenge Cup was to have have been sailed round the Shambles to-day but the request of the Egeria it was postponed for a day in order to- allow her to prepare for the fight. August 8th. The race round the Shambles for the Prince of Wales's Challenge Cup was started at six o'clock in the morning, the only entries being : Numbered as in, HunVs Universal Yacht List for 1874. No. Names of Yachts. Big. Tons. Owner. Builders 542 Enchantress Schooner 320 J. F. Loubat, Esq. 492 Egeria Schooner 152 J. Mulholland, Esq., M.P. Wanhill 2105 Shark Schooner 201 Duke of Butland. Wanhill The Egeria got away first, and the Enchantress, slow in stays, lost some time; but when she got really set going she began to The Prince of Wales * Challenge Cup Race. 189 pick up the Egeria, when her jibboom carried away. After getting the wreck in she began to overhaul the Egeria ; but before getting to Hurst Castle her f orestaj parted, and, after nearly losing her mast, she had to run back to Cowes. The Shark gave up soon afterwards, and so the Egeria sailed over the course, and claimed the cup, which, as she had won it twice before, is now her property. CHATPER XL MR LOUBAT'S FIRST EUROPEAN CHALLENGE. The Times, London, August 14, 1874. Should it be agreeable to any member of an organized European yacht club, owning a yacht of at least 300 tons R. T. Y. C. measurement, to sail a match for a hundred guinea cup with the Enchantress over the Prince of Wales' s Challenge cup course, according to the rules, regulations, and time allowance established for the said course, Mr. J. F. Loubat will be happy to sail any such match in July next, the race to be sailed on the day appointed without regard to wind or weather. This offer is to remain open until the 15th day of September. BeWsLife in London, London, August 15, 1874. INTEBNATIONAL YACHT CHALLENGE. To the Editor of BeWs Life in London. SIR : Should it be agreeable to any member of an organized European Yacht Club, owning a yacht of at least 300 tons, R. T. Y. C. measurement, to sail a match, for a one hundred guinea Mr. Loubats First European Challenge. 191 cup, with the Enchantress, over the Prince of Wales's Challenge Cap course, according to the rules, regulations, and time allowance established for said course, I shall be most happy to sail any such match in July next. The race to take place on the day appointed without regard to wind or weather. This offer re- mains open until the 15th day of September, Yours, &c. J. F. LOUBAT. Cowes, August 12, 1874. The Field, London August 15, 1874. THE AMERICAN YACHT ENCHANTRESS, Although it is contrary to our custom to insert challenges, we give the inclosed, as it relates to a matter of international in- terest: SIB: Should it be agreeable to any member of an organized European yacht club, owning a yacht of at least 300 tons, R. T. Y.C. measurement, to sail a match for a one hundred guinea cup with the Enchantrsss, over the Prince of Wales's Challenge Cup Course, according to the rules, regulations, and time allowance- established for said course, I shall be most happy to sail such a match in July next. The race to take place on the day appointed, without regard 1 to wind or weather. This offer remains open until the 15th day of September. Cowes, August 12, 1874. J. F. LOUBAT, Yacht Enchantress, N.Y.Y.CL The Evening Express, New York, August 15, 1874. PLUCKY MR. LOUBAT. There was some good sailing with the fleet-winged vessels abroad, across the Channel, and the Enchantress made good time- A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. displayed excellent sea-going qualities, and her enterprising own- er did not lose heart in the contests nor faith in his boat because the sail makers were employed in repairing her canvas and the spar-makers on her spars after the race. The true spirit of an American yachtsman is dominant in Mr. Loubat's composition ; he represents the New York Yacht Club, and the spirit which sent the Henrietta, Vesta, and Fleetwing over to England in an ocean race, and the Sappho and Dauntless, afterward, into for- eign waters in racing trim, is well supported by Mr. Loubat's challenge to all other clubs. The Enchantress is to sail against any yacht club in Europe for a one hundred guinea cup, the race to take place next July. There is time enough for the entries, and the course chosen is the Prince of Wales's cup course, so that the stranger who throws his gauntlet into the face of the foreign yachtsmen gives them the privilege of sailing the race over their own favorite track. We may justly admire Mr. Loubat's pluck, and may trust that the competing vessels may be worthy of the Enchantress that it may be a fair race and a good one, and that, if defeated, Mr. Loubat may console himself with the fact that iiis courage brought him a good contestant, and he suffers no dis- grace by a defeat fairly accomplished. THE "ENI From tkt Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News t London, Saturday, CHAPTER XII. THE ENCHANTRESS IN ENGLAND. THE FLY-AWAY. Have you seen the fish with a great long tail ? The fish that tried to make the " Enchantress " sail ; She went across to France, on purpose for to win, Where she got severely beaten by the little yacht " Corinne." CHORUS : Have you seen the fish with a great long tail, A little wiggle waggle, a winkle or a whale ? She tried again, this day, the challenge cup to catch, But found, to his surprise, that the " Egeria" was his match, So home he had to run, with his great long tail, Followed by the " Shark " a winkle, or a whale. Have you seen the fish, &c. Now back to Yankee Land this fish will have to go, Where he can calculate, and guess, and bounce, and blow And tell his fellow-countrymen what folly he has seen, In coming o'er to England, on purpose for to win. Have you seen the fish, &e. 194 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. THE YANKEE BOAT. O, if you listen, I will sing a little ditty Of that Yankee boat that came across the sea. Which caused a great to do throughout the country, Excitement, and great anxiety. Chorus. So attention pay, To what I say, And of this Yankee boat you soon shall hear, For you see she came across the ocean, From that noted place that is called America. Now they sent her to old England for improvement, Which of course she has been and boldly done her part; For she's shown them all a wrinkle in the channel, Like a little fish away from them did dart. Chorus. Now that noted little yacht that's called Cetonia, Which was thought to be the order of the day; But this Yankee boat she caused them for to wonder, When from her she boldly marched away. Chorus. Now this long tail fish that came across the ocean, It takes a swifter fish than the shark for him to catch; And, if he hadn't lost his little nosegay. Egeria would not seen the way he went. Chorus. Now the owner has just sent out a challenge, But there's something I can scarcely understand, For those noblemen that thought she was a duffer But still they haven't the nerve to try their hand [Chorus. Now the rumor was this Yankee boat had foundered, And gone to the bottom of the sea; But I am h&ppy to inform you she is still reigning, And they will find her a torment still to be. Chorus. Now, with all the advice that I have given. Of this Yankee boat I hope you understand; And I guess she'll give our racers all a licking Before she goes home to Yankee land. Chorus. The Enchantress in England. 195 The meld, London, October 10, 1874. A SEASON YACHT RACING. ******* But the achievements of the English yachts were completely eclipsed by the performances of the American yacht Enchan- tress, and she certainly did earn a distinction no English yacht could make claim to, although not in the way expected. She appears to have been a moderately good vessel, as originally built ; but some improvements, wrought upon her by her de- signer, turned her into a regular laughing-stock. That she is very fast with the wind well on the quarter, there is no deny- ing, and in the Havre- Southsea match passed the Corinne {35ft. shorter on the load line) in pretty much the same way that the Guinevere or Livonia could. But it was not on this point of sailing that her performances were eccentric, nor in going before the wind, but in beating to windward. She took nearly as long to stay as a coal brig, and then was not certain of doing it, and when her sheets were hauled aft, in a breeze at sea she tumbled about so that it was next to impossible to sail her. Lead ballast to the tune of seventy tons we believe has made her capable of standing up much better in a breeze, and it is just as likely she would come out and repeat the Sappho- Carnbria performance if any small vessel were matched against her over an open course. The American papers repudiated the notion that she is an "American yacht ;" but one inhabitant of the United States, more generous than his compatriots, came forward and claimed her defects and all. Englishmen ought certainly to be grateful for this; for it is quite bad enough to have to bear with all our own failures, without having to stand sponsors to those we have had nothing to do with. The Evening Post, New York, November 24, 1874. AMERICAN YACHTS IN FOREIGN WATERS. THE EXPLOITS OF THE ENCHANTRESS. Yankee clippers and American sewing machines have become 196 A Yachtsman s Scrap Book. pretty well-known all the world over. The dearest wish of the manufacturers of the latter article, that no family should be with- out a sewing machine, is gradually accomplishing itself. In the mean time we have given our English cousins "some new wrinkles" in the matter of yacht-building. Witness the Sappho and other American boats built for purposes of speed. There is now-a-day& scarcely a yacht race of any importance in European waters but Brother Jonathan is sure to put his keel into it. Even "Mossoo" as represented by the Yacht Club "of France, cannot get up a quiet little International Channel Race with the sons of perfidious- Albion but the inevitable Yankee must needs assist. At the match from Havre to Southampton, a distance of about eighty- three miles, held under the auspices of the Ya<-ht Club of France on the 27th of July last, for prizes amounting to 400, there were five entries of English yachts, of which we give only the schooners, and two entries of American yachts : ENGLISH YACHTS. Cetonia, Gwendolin Corinne BIG. Schooner. TONS. ..202.. ..192. ..165. AMERICAN YACHTS. TONS. OWNERS. . . Mr. W. Turner. ..Major Ewing. . Mr. N. Wood. OWNERS. Enchantress 320 J. F. Loubat. Faustine 120 Mr. P. Russell. < : It will be seen that the contest was substantially between English and American yachts, for the Frenchmen had entered three small cutters of twenty- six, thirty-five and forty tons re- spectively. "Mossoo" in fact organized a little yachting enter- tainment for the benefit of his foreign friends. Individually "Mossoo" much prefers Les Grandes Eaux de Versailles. At 5 o'clock P. M., the club steamer took up a position three miles "W. N.W. of the lighthouse, on Cape La Heve, forming the line for the start. The Enchantress went across the line at 5:26, and the Gwendolin at 5:27, followed by the Faustine, the Corinne being the last at 5:33. At 11 o'clock the yachts all found them- The Enchantress in England. 197 selves becalmed thirty miles from Cape La Heve. The Gwendolin with the Corinne on her port (weather) beam, was leading, and the Cetonia and the Enchantress were broad on their weather quarter. They lay thus becalmed till 11:30, when the Corinne was seen to take a light breeze abeam westerly, and stole away from the Gwendolin. The latter was not a cable's length from her, but got no wind, her sails flapping in folds as she lay almost motionless on the water. In twenty minutes the Corinne was lost to the rest of the fleet, as she sailed off with the westerly breeze. A greater "fluke" was never scored. At sunrise the Oorinne was leading five miles ahead of the Enchantress, on the latter's weather bow and to windward of her course. They now had a fine breeze, and the Enchantress went flying along, rapidly overhauling the Corinne and leaving all the others behind. At 6:45 the Enchantress went past the Corinne on her weather, and gave her such a shake up that when her sails filled again down LD SEP 1 '64-10 LD 21-100m-9,'47(A5702sl6)476 77^77 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY