240 BROADLAND SPORT 



Bart., of Beeston Hall, near Barton Broad, and she remained in 

 his possession until the date of his death, 1894. From the 

 commencement of her new ownership she entered upon a very 

 successful racing career, her first winning bracket being 

 secured at Wroxham water frolic, when she beat the 

 Leviathan, Louisa, and several others which had pre- 

 viously made their names famous. 



Between 1837 and 1840 the reputation of the Maria as a 

 crack local racing yacht was enviable and she was considered the 

 fastest boat afloat. This was once pretty clearly demonstrated 

 at Wroxham Regatta, where the Maria attended as usual 



THE "MARIA" ON BARTON BROAD. 



to compete for the open cup advertised by the committee to be 

 sailed for ; but as all the other yachts present refused to cross 

 the starting-line on the ground of the absurdity of attempting 

 to lower her ever-victorious colours, her owner withdrew her 

 name from the race and the cup was sailed for by the other 

 boats. After a very exciting race the cup was won by and 

 presented to the Hornet, but the crew engaged to sail the 

 Maria were so exasperated at being done out of their extra 

 prize money, they boarded the Hornet, and a free fight ensued, 

 in which the man who held the cup was knocked overboard 

 cup and all. 



An obliging diver appeared on the scene, and in considera- 



