94 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



iAva. 26, 1886. 



veirtacal or nearly so. The boat is decked with a cockpit and car- 

 ries a single leg of mutton sail with a hatten. In the peak is a red 

 tomahawk. The most peculiar feature is the new weather grip, 

 lately descnbod in the Forest anb Stheam, The grip is made of 

 yellow pine l%ln. thick, ahout 5ft. long and 18in. deep, weighted to 

 float vertically. Two rods of J^in. brass hold the grip parallel to 

 the boat with the aid of two guy ropes, the whole affair rising and 

 falling as tlie boat heels. It holds the boat to -svlndward, and is 

 equally e/fective whether to windward or leeward. Mr. Clapham 

 spends all his time on board, sailing all dav and sleeping at anchor 

 imder a tent at night. In lier brusiics with the canoes she has 

 tlius far done very well. Anchored off the camp is the sloop yacht 

 Graeie, of Kingston, her OMmer, Mr. Garruthcrs, being wit'li the 

 canoeists. A Mackinaw boat and some rowing and sailing craft, 

 Avith the inevitable St. Lawrence skiffs, make up the fleet. " 



Of course the cluef interest this year is in the visiting l)oats, the 

 Pearl and Nautilus. The former arrived on Monday in a huge 



gacking case and has been doing some excellent sailing ever since, 

 he is very full and bulky compared with tlie Amei-iean canoes 

 and far less graceful. The workmanship is very fine and the 

 fittings A-ery ingenious, but the build is entirely too light so that 

 the canoe is entirely unfitted for cruising and yot not strong 

 enough for much racing. The keel is of pine with stem and stern 

 of oak. The bottom is of oaL: veneer l-]3in. onlv in thickness, the 

 topsides of Spanish cedar and the deck, ^.^in, thick with fittings, is 

 of the same material. The ribs are of oak and the ini\er ribbands 

 of Spanish cedar, the boat being of ribband car\ el build. Though 

 a new boat and hardly used, the bottom has swelled badly aT\d the 

 light deck has cracked. The hoard of gun metal weigl'its ■'ililbs., 

 and is very neatly made and ingeniously fitted with a po\\ erful 

 hoisting gear. On each side of the well are fitted defik flaps closed 

 With a rubber spring. A deck tiller is fitted for use if needed. 

 The rudder is of wood, extending some distance below the keel, 

 and on top it is fitted with a brass wheel about Cin. diameter, around 

 Avhich the lines run. The finish of the boat is very fine, a gold 

 stripe setting off the cedar, while on each bow is a circular piece 

 of mother of pearl 3in. diameter set iii brass rings, and .above is 

 the R, 0. C. symbol in gold. The rig is of two balance lugs. 



The Nautilus Js built in a similar manner by the same builder, 

 R. -1. Turk, of Kingston-on-Thomas, but is much stronger appar- 

 ently. T)ie bottom is of .Spanish cedar, -^in. thick, and the upper 

 streak, which is 6iu. wide at middle and proportionately greater 

 at the ends, is of mahogany stained very dark. The deck is of 

 Spanish cedar )4m. thick, that part about the well being of i^in. 

 mahogany. The middle body of the boat is full with a long floor, 

 and the lines of the bow and stem are all convex. The chief pe- 

 culiarity is the draft, which is greatest at a point .5ft. from the 

 boM', the keel raking up to a draft of l^iin. aft. The frame is of 

 oak sawn to shape, witli Spanish cedar battens. The stem and 

 stern are of mahogany and keel of Avhite xiine. All the fittings 

 display the greatest ingenuity and the rigging is far beyond any 

 ever seen here for neatness. The well is circular aft and nearly 

 square forward with an elm coaming. Two square mast tubes are 

 fitted, not in the centci', but on one side, so that 1 he sails and spars 

 are exactly in the center of the boat. The ceuterVjoard is similar 

 to the Pearl's, but a neat strap of copper wire rope for the double 

 block of the purcJia.sc must be noticed. Besides a wooden rudder 

 there is a very strong drop rudder of brass, the yoke, of wood, be- 

 ing a half wheel wit h a brass < ■bain, working in a score in it. Sis- 

 ter hooks join the chain to the rudder lines of copper wire rope. 

 Below on the after end of the trunk is the f ootyoke, while a steer- 

 ing gear is added on deck. There is a single centerboard of 

 561bs. weight, with a powerful lifting tackle. The trunk is of 

 Spanish cedar. In tlie forward deck are two hatches, one on each 

 side of the trnnk, while a watertight bulkhead makes a collision 

 compartment in tlve bow. In Avorking forward the hatches are 

 opened and the crcAV puts a foot in each, in Avhich position he can 

 stand and AA'ork comfortably. The rig consists of tAvo balance lugs 

 Avith the Avoll-knoAvn Nautilus reefing gear. The sails are of fine 

 linen Avith double rows of stitches from head to foot instead of tlie 

 usual bights. The spars are all of spruce Avorked from small poles 

 instead of from large planks as is common here. The main sheet 

 block works on a Avire rope traveller which is made fast to a hook 

 on each side of deck at after end of well. On each hook is a rubber 

 ring so arranged as to hold the traveller in sailing but to alloAv it 

 to pull away quickly in a capsize or other emergency. Both the 

 English canoes haA'c several features in common. The floor boai'ds 

 are replaced by neat gratings of hard wood, on each side of the 

 grating a batten is so hinged as to turn up and make a ballast 

 shelf. At the fore end of Avell a flat hatch is fltted for a roAV of 

 cleats, and under it is a Avooden tray for the halliards and reef 

 lines. Under the side decks are canvas shelA'cs held by rubber 

 cords, for the same purpose. In the Pearl the keel inside is cut 

 away eni irely for tAvo feet .aft of the trunk, to make a ballast Avell. 

 Over this place an inner skin of oak is laid and riveted to the outer 

 skin. The Nautilus has her name A^ery handsomely painted on a 

 golden scroll on tlie bow. 



Of the American boats Lassie, Venture and Vesper are already 

 Avell knoA\ni to ca.nooists. Another fast boat is the PecoAVsic, built 

 .Toj ner for Mr. E. H. Barney, Springfield C. 0. She is smooth 

 biiilt, "after Joyner's method, with a sharp A' floor and flne ends, 

 rather full on deck. The board is a small plate of thin brass set 

 well amidships and pivoted at the fore end. Since racing at New 

 Yiwk Mr. Barney has discarded the fislitai) rudder as impractica- 

 ble, and is using a heavier lirass rudder. The yoke is a solid semi- 

 circle of thin brass fltted vary low, so that from its shape and posi- 

 tion the luizzen sheet is not likely to catcli. The rig consists of 

 three sails, one stepped far forward, one just forward of the Avell, 

 and one aft. In shape tlioy are like the log-o£-muttou, but with 

 three radiating battens like a fan, and from the lower Ijatten to 

 the boom the leech is A'crticat. Their greatest spread is 105ft. 

 There are tive sails of ditferciit sizes, so that sail may easily be 

 reduced. The canoe is 15ft. lOin. by 28'>4. 



From Lowell, jWass., there comes a very handsome canoe of 

 Spanish cedar, tbe Blanche, built by Stevens for Mr. Paul Butler, 

 of the Vesper B. C. She has a dagger board and two boom and 

 gaff sails. Mr. Butler has rigged a \'ery ingenious deck seat, tAVO 

 boards as Avidc as the boat, the loAver fixed to the coaming, the 

 upper sliding in grooves on top of the lower and locked by a spring 

 catch. The upper piece is slid far out to windward and locked 

 there, making an outrigged .seat on which the canoeist sits. By 

 means of the spring catch it may be quickly shifted and locked in 

 going about. 



Mr. Whitlock brings his 1.5X28 canoe Wraith, in which he will 

 race for the N. Y. C. 0. cup next month. She Avas built by Rushton 

 from IVIr. John Hyslop's designs. The amateur builders are coming 

 to the front this year, and one of the handsomest canoes present, 

 both in model and workmanship, is the Curfew, biult of Spanish 

 cedar bv Mr. Bellatry, of Lynn, Mass. 



The camp fairly opened on Monday of last week, a very unpleas- 

 ant day owing to heavy rain. Com. Rathbun was present, but 

 Avas obliged to leaA^e on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday a number 

 of new arrivals filled out the roAV of tents and made the camp 

 more li\'ely. Among them Avere Messrs. Powell and Stewart^ of 

 the Royal "C. C, both of whom came in during the morning. With 

 Mr. Powell Avere Messrs. Stephens and Burchard, N. Y. C. O. 

 During the dav Mr. J. O. Shiras, Secretary of the W. O. A. and a 

 member of the A. C. A., arrived from Cincinnati. There was a 

 light breeze at times and many canoes Avere out. In the e\'ening 

 the first camp-fire was lit in front of the K. M. C. camp. AVitii 

 songs, stories and pipes the evening was passed very pleasantly. 

 Toward tlie end a tall figure came up out of the darkness, and for 

 a momcmt Avas not recognized until introduced as Dr. Heighway, 

 of Cincinnati. Since last at a meet he has grown taller and more 

 like an athlete than ever. His arriA'al was the signal for a grand 

 uproar that lasted until the fire died out. 



On Wednesday morning thirty canoes started on a cruise doAvn 

 the river, returning late in the evening. The day Avas calm and 

 p.addling was in order, but in spite of some hard work the cruise 

 was a pleasant one. In the eA^ening a camp-fire Avas lighted on 

 Capitol Hill. Mr. Powell Avas called upon and responded Avith a 

 sea-song in true sailor lingo. As the meeting dispersed all rose 

 and sang "God Save the Queen," out of compliment to thevis- 



On' Thursday the canoes Avere out nearly aU day in light breezes. 

 The Pearl had" several brushes with the other canoes, coming off 

 A^ery Avell generallv- Great disappointment Avas felt at the non- 

 arrival of the Nautilus, shipped by freight, and it was feared she 

 would arrive too late for the races. Mr. Powell tried some American 

 canoes during the day, sitting on deck. In the evening the Petcr- 

 boi'o camp lit ;i camp-lire. . ^ „ , 



Friday and Saturday Avere the pleasantest days of the camp, as 

 new men arrived and Avere eagerly greeted. EA'ery boat brought 

 some one and tlie little dock was crowded Avitli noisy party to^ re- 

 coiA'6 theni. Com. .Tones and Mr. Barney, of Hartford and bprmg- 

 fleld, the Mohicans, with Oliver, Gibson, Fernow, Thomas and 

 others; Vans and Nadal, of New York; Weller for Peterboro, An- 

 drews and ihe Rochester C. C, Keyscr, of the K. C. C, a^id inaiiy 

 others as well-known. On Saturday night Johnson and Dr. Uqug- 

 las also arrived. On Fridav the Avord arriAa>d that tlie Nautilus 

 would be In Clayton by 8:o0 \'. M., and Mr. PoAvell arranged to go 

 over early in the morning and bring her back. In the mornmg all 

 hands, including Squa w Point, met at the camp-fire of the Brook- 

 lyn C. C. Dr. Neidc, with Messrs. Kipp and Stephens, went away 

 quietly in tiie tug to Clayton, Avaited for the tram and unpacked 

 tho Nautilus, bringing her into camp as the crowd dispersed. 

 When Powell amTed at his t^nt the canoe Avas in front A^ath 



masts stepped and decorated Avith a string of Chinese lanterns, to 

 his great surprise. Saturday evening was spent verv quietly. 



On Sunday morning serAdce was held on the hiU, llev. Dr. "Neide 

 officiating, assisted by Rev. C. H. Larom. As the congregation 

 dispersed the little steamer appeared, and a rush to the Avhajf fol- 

 lowed to greet Sir. Shedd and his Avhite hat. The ncAvs of Mav- 

 flower's Adctory came by the same boat, and was hailed by all with 

 great satisfaction. 



The sloop Kthel, J. B. McMurrich, OsAvego Y. C, is anchored off 

 SquaAV Point, and the Gracie, of Kingston, Laura and anoHier, of 

 OsAvego, are off the main camp. On Saturday evening a meeting 

 of the executive committee Avas held to consider informally the 

 organization of branches, and at 2 P. M. on Sunday a meeting of 

 the commanding officer of each club outside the Eastern States 

 was held at headquarters, Vicc-Com. AVilkin presiding. The action 

 of the canoeists of the Eastern States was discussed, and on motion 

 of ex-Com. Oliver it Avas resolved that the clubs outside of the 

 Eastern States should apply to the Association for recognition as 

 a second branch. The clubs were also requested to name one man 

 each to act with three members at large as a nominating com- 

 mittee, to meet on Monday night and elect a Adcc-commodore, 

 rear-commodore, and purser for the dcav branch. At i P. M. all 

 the camp gathered at SquaAV Point in response to an invitation to 

 afternoon tea by the ladies. Forty canoes from the main camp 

 Avere on the beach and a hundred visit ors. Coffee, tea, sandAviches 

 and cake were served, and the afternoon Avas spent verv pleasantly. 



Early on Monday Mr. Robert Tyson, of Toronto, and Mr. O. ,"T. 

 Bousfield, of Bay City, Mich., arrived at camp, besides some \dsi- 

 tors to see the races. A round of the camp shoAved !)0 tents, some 

 of them large enough for half a dozen, and 135 canoes, besides a 

 dozen yachts, boats and sneakboats. In Squaw Point are about 30 

 tents and 15 canoes. 



The first race was started at 0:17, a paddling race for Class 11. 

 canoes, 1 mile, AAith h starters, as follOAVs: 



Eegina It tlx27 C. J. Bousfield.... Bay City, IVIich 12 27 



Irene 15 X28 R. W. Baldwin . . . Ottawa t!. 12 39 



Venture 14.6X30 L. Q. .Jonos Hartford C. C 12 5.5 



Siren 15 x28 R.B. Burchard. ..New York 



Lahige 14 X2G T. S. Westcott.. . .I'hiladelphia C. C. . 



As the boats started Mr. Burchard broke his paddle, but con- 

 tiiraed to the wharf, Avhere he procured a new one and continued 

 the race. Regina took first place and held it to the finish, though 

 pushed by Irene. 



The second race started at 10:10, Class IV., paddling, 1 mile, with 

 14 starters. The leaders Avere: 



Nellie.... 15. 0X.1O14.... W. F. Kipp St. LaAVrence. ...11 m 



Lena 15 XJm| . . .H. F. McKcndrick Gait 11 ,58 



Olive 15.6X30%. . . .F. M. Turner Brockville 12 15 



Mac 16 X31 W. G. McKendrick. . . . Toronto 



The leaders were Nellie and Lena, and the finish Avas very close 

 and exciting, Nellie finally Aviuning by half a length. 



Thetliird race Avas for novices, sailing classes A and B, no limits 

 of rig or ballast. Sixteen canoes started and thirteen sailed the 

 course. The Avind wiisN.E. moderate at the start, dropping shortly 

 after. The course Avas the regular triangular one, P/^ miles. The 

 leaders were: 



Wanda 16 X30 W. B. Lesslie R. M. C 80 15 



Onenn 15 X30 H. F. Sinclaire Brooklyn M 51 



Vixen 14.8X30 C. F. Walters Rochester 35 57 



Edith Adele.l4.6X.31 AV. N. Murrav Pittsburgh 



Alouette 15 x30 W. A. Leys Toronto 



Regina led at the first buoy, but was passed on the Aveathor leg 

 of the course. Wanda Avas very well sailed by a young canoeist 

 and Avon easily. 



The next race, Class I., paddling, brought out feAv entries, as 

 there are very few who care to bring a special racing boat. Dr. 

 Heighway had intended to enter, but bis boat Avas not at the camp. 

 Mr. Johnston paddled a light silk-decked canoe, the old Maggie. 

 Dr. Douglas, of Lakefleld, paddled a. curious old Thames-built 

 canoe, the Harmony, Avliile Mr. Leys had an open Peterboro. The 

 times and entries Avere: 



Maggie 18x24 M. F. Johnston Toronto 10 25 



Harmony... .20X24 Dr. C. M. Douglas. ...Lakefield 10 38 



Wraith 30X21 W. A. Leys 



Wraith soon dropped astern, Avliile Harmony hung on closely to 

 Maggie, but could not oA'crtake her. 



The last race of the morning Avas the Class III. paddling, 1 mile: 



Rapid 10x28 M. F. Johnston Toronto 10 14 



Tsigana 16x28 E. Pitt Brockville 10 50 



Merle 16x28M G. B. Wilkinson BrockAdllG 10 59 



There were fl starters altogether. Tsigana led at the start, 

 but Avas overtaken later by Rapid. The race Avas hotly contested 

 on the home run, Pitt and Johnston fighting hard for first place 

 but Johnston came in leader. 



lANTHE C. C— NeAvark, K J., Aug. 24.-E(Mtor Forest and 

 Stream: Second annual regatta on the Passaic River: Single pad- 

 dling race for canoes 24in. beam and over, C. V. Schuyler, W. R. 

 Burling and H. D. AVilde entering; Avon by Schu yler; prize, a sUver 

 match box. Sailing race for all classes of canoes, Messrs. W. H, 

 Hillin and Thorn, of Essex C. C, Mr. 1. V. Uorland, of the Arling- 

 ton C. C, and C. V. Schuvlcr. of rlie [. C. ('., entering; won by 

 Dorland, Hillin second; prize, a.^ilk banner. Third race, any canoe, 

 paddling, ( !ox, of the Essex C. C W. R. Burling and 11. S. Farmer, 

 of tlie I."C. C, ontei-ing; won by Burling; prize, the Commodore's 

 silver cup. Fourth race, hand paddling. C. V. S(dniyler, W. R. 

 Burling and H. D. Wilde; won by Sclmyler: prize, a jointed fish- 

 ing rod. Tandem race, Schuyler and Ooidand, A. 0. aiidR. tt. 

 Mollov, of the Arlington C. C, and W. R. Burling and VV. F. Mar- 



THE AURORA.— Among the interesting features of the canoe 

 meet at Grindstone Island is the famous canoo Aurora, in which 

 Dr. Neide made his celebrated cruise from the Adirondacks to the 

 Gulf of Mexico, which is fully detailed in his charming book, "The 

 Cruise of the Aurora," published a year or two since by the Forest 

 and Stream Publishing Company. 



OvBH Elea'-en Million Dollars has been paid to its policy- 

 holders by the Travelers, of Hartford, Conn,, since its organiza- 

 tion. Present payments are over a million a year.— .Adc. 



THE TRIAL OF THE SLOOPS. 



JTIRST MATCH, 8ATUBDAT, AtlO. 21. 



It is fortunate that public opinion is elastic enough not to suffer 

 a series of sudden rebounds upon itself. Like the clown with his 



- - . . ly, I 



empty of sound logic and cool judgment. The over-hasty critics, 

 who presume to pass an ii-revocable flat— and their name is legion — 

 upon the outcome of a single race Avhich they have not even con- 

 scientiouslv followed in its details, haA'e been soi-oly taxed this 

 year Avith the repeated collapse of their proclaimed Avisdom and 

 the constant SAvalloAving of their own Avords. The flr.st match of 

 the series ordained for supplying precise conclusions as to the rel- 

 ative performance of tbe four big quasi sloops, afforded stiU one 

 more chance for the critics to back stern first from their most re- 

 cent position and quickly .spring a new luff Avith "opinions,'- 

 "faiths," and "conclusive proof" tearfully a nd wondertnlly CA-oi\ ed 

 to meet the exigencies ot the fresh developments. Some great 

 liglits, it is true, tired out AVith their OAvn sommersanlting leading 

 to no pariicular goal, just glA'e it up for a bad job, and seek balm 

 for prcvlouK errors of judgement in the amusing confession: 'Of 

 course it win alAva vs be a matter of surprise that the Priscilla Avas 

 beaten bv the Atlantic, while the fact that the Puaitan Avas also 

 vanquished bv the New York vacht Avill ever remam a mystery in 

 the annals of "American vach'ting. Boats are like women, some- 

 times they Avill do just as you ask them, Avhilc at ather times tliey 

 Avill be as contrary as the deuce!" 



Now in truth there wah not an atom of mystery about Satur- 

 day's match at all, nor need the result, so astounding to super- 

 ficial oTiservers, be sustained by a base calumny upon the fair 

 sex. The match Avound up in strict accordance with tlie happen- 

 ings of the day and it does not require special shrewdness to ac- 

 count for the order at the finish or the changes of fortune over 

 the course. , , , , j, . 



Luckily there Avas broozo enough to enable tolerably fair com- 

 petition "over a course poorly adapted to the purpose. 



Luckily the wind Avas from a quarter out of Avhicn it seldom 

 bloAvs, a'nd some genuine Avork climbing a-Aveather became a 

 f eature of the race. , ^ . 



Luckily the fleet of accompanying vessels AVas not great and 

 once outside the Hook the flyers had free play. , „ . , 



Unluckily the dav appointed was "steamer day" with a long 

 string of ocean liners screAving down the Ship chamiel lu process 



sion, their huge hulls cutting the wind into fragmentary install- 

 ments and churning up the course into an uncongenial chop. 



Unluckily a trifling accident to one famous vessel hailing from 

 Boston gave second place to a less worthy craft, let alone the fact 

 that Mr. Burgess's brilliant success of last year tlirew away her 

 chances half a dozen times into the bargain during the day 

 througli the most wretched skippering ever witnessed in so im- 

 portant a contest. 



Unluckily the moat faultless skippering and superior pilotage of 

 the unapproachable "Joe" Elswori li tooled the Atlantic into a poor 

 second, thereby sugar-coating a failure AAdth a thin A^eneer of par- 

 tial success, at leas't in the eyes of the above-mentioned public in 

 ahm-ry and only too ready to ground its judgment upon sympa- 

 thy for the home boat. 



With the exception of the reA-ersal of true position between At- 

 lantic and Puritan, the tra vail wound up as that A'ery scarce 

 article, the competent and nnju-ojudiced critic, had always ex- 

 pected. To him there was no "mystery," no "woman's contrari- 

 ness" in the splendid exhibition of Saturday last, an exhibition, by 

 tlic way, MTiich, in its attendant circumstances of Avind and Avater. 

 there is little hope of equalling often over a course usually very 

 poorly suited for equitalile tests of merit. 



Reviewing the first race as a wliole, there is good cause for con- 

 gratulation. The liest boat won. The ]ioorest of the quartet closed 

 up the rear. Mayflower had long ago been condemned by the 

 hasty because, a brand iicav and untried vessel, she suffered a" pre- 

 liminary eclipse (U- two. To the superficial would-be authorities 

 it mattered nothing that Mayflower was too close a copy of the 

 Avell-tried Puritan to be condemned out of hand after one or two 

 more or less uncondusive attempts, undertaken intentionally Avith 

 the object of experimenting upon her best trim. It Avas no con- 

 cern to the Avould-be critic that Puritan had been designed by a 

 gentleman of international experience, and that tlie Mayflower 

 sprung from the same board witli Puritan's lines as a safe beacon 

 for a fresh but very trilling departure. Neither did the rash critic 

 appreciate the value of extra leiigt h above and beycmd tlie penalty 

 of time allowixnce «-heu sailing in a, Avorking breeze or with t^hcct 

 lifted in any sort of wind. Furtberraore, Avhen Maj-fiower failed 

 to look up Avithin less tluin ;i.n eiglith of a point as "well as other 

 yachts in perfect condiiion, the hasty critic declined to alloAV for 

 bagging and nnstretcbcd canvas, but hurried to hurl all manner 

 of anathemas at the brand new clip])cr. 



The MayfloAvcr, being in tlie liands of competent gentlemen, 

 suffered not from the snpcrabundanco of Icft-handeii advice 

 vouchsafed, but Avas put through her preliminary c.x|icrimcnt3 

 Avith such keen perception that one alteration to licr liallast and 

 rig was enough to bring her up to the designer'-, intentions. Tlien 

 like a comet, .slic burst upon the horizon and set t he rate to her big 

 sisters, exceedingly to the disgust of the stultified critics, avIio, 

 Avhile vehemently proclaiming tha t tlicy "knew it all," were dis- 

 covered to know nothing. Mayflower, in her ncrf<-cted trim, came 

 out in true colors for the Goclct cuii in the recent Newpoit. events. 

 This coA'cted prize she lifted witli ease. Then she led the class 

 doAvn wind during the runs of the N. Y. Y. C., settling any doubts 

 as to her speed Avitb sheets lifted, and topped her boom for Ncav 

 York waters. In the match here recorded she found the Aveathor 

 ahead which was just the opportunity wanted to put her to test in 

 the matter of tin-ning. This record will show Iioav successful she 

 was and the grrand qualities she can boast in Aveathcr work a nd 

 footing. Of course it remains an open qucHtion whether she ciui 

 duplicate her big margin of ^vin in a dcadcyr smoker and .sboit. 

 tAvisting. There arc tliosc Avho think Puritan would gi\T her a 

 hard rub under such conditions. These arc, however, exceptional, 

 and it may be some time ere that point can be deCiiiitely settled. 

 For mild to moderate Avcather, as an "all round flic course" boat, 

 Mayflower stands at the head of the Iiig quartette. That much 

 has been ascertained hevond coni i\)\ ci-sy. 



She boarded her laurels by no iiii-ce of bu k, and certainly not 

 through smart handling, for, after a leisurely slait,, she Avas nipped 

 too high under Owl's Head, la-ad -a.-<_ t.-- often lifting. She lost the 

 strength of the Aviud, pick-: ' ; > ; k>- puffs like Atlantic and 

 Priscilla through the Narre , . . .-is rapidly dropjied by tlie 

 rest in consequence. AAnicn ; : . abreast the AVcst Bank, 



the AAdnd lightened, flu' I r. - -ryiriy^tbc best of it along with 

 them doAVii to tbe Spi - ■ ' : yi'lower sufl'ered again. A triflo 

 only but still sometld.,.,, long lay down the Bank she Avas 



steered too fine for bcsi iooti au., and like Puritan, made a grca-t 

 mistake in keeping far too high for the spindle buoy, Botli slic 

 and Puritan Avere badly put out from the succession of swells from, 

 tugs and steamers rushing to the fore reganlless, of the wasli they 

 gaA'c tlie two Boston ships struggling to pull up. Noav that they 

 "know how it is themselves," it is to behoi)od that the Bostonians 

 Avill use their influence to abolish the Ncav York Y. C. course as 

 one leg in the coming international races. The fleet of steamboats 

 going out with the yachts Saturday was not one-tenth of Avhat it 

 AAdll number when Galatea is annoinieert io start. NatiU'ally the 

 fleet seeks to keep up witli tlic leader, in Avhom "the interest is 

 centered." The channel down the A'\"esi Banlv lieing narrow, the 

 steamboats must pass close aboard to the- iwing yachts, and It Is 

 inevitable that the craft getting away last will suffer inimen.sely 

 from the chopped state in which tlic water is left, the steamboat 

 swells transmitting themselves in full force a, great way. Either 

 ;ill steamers should be notified, and that in a most clfei-lnal Av.ay, 

 to keep astern of both compel i tors as far as the Ilook, oi- the inside 

 course should be given up if such ciuu.ession canuotfie relied upon. 

 The general public, including steamboat (-aplains, do not under- 

 stand fully the great detriment to a yacfit's tra\'el when she lias 

 to jump or even atriko a cluqi from v, ! n'eli la.i- ,-ompctitor is exempt. 

 .\s races are now often decided by ' - ' ilghtest disturbance 

 Avith the starters should be avoided. a has just as much 



force for the home yacht as for the eni k-r from abroad. Once out- 

 side of Sandy Hook there is room enough for tho spootiitoi's to 

 spread and the evil is not so potent, though by no means wholly 

 absent. 



AATien Mayflower got round the Spit she was stiU abadfourtht 

 but buckling down to business, with nojibtopsail to woriy the 

 skipper at the Avhcel, she pulled up licr lost water, and by dmt of 

 footing and pointing, worked cut ahead of flic crowd strictly on 

 her intrinsic merits. She loft Atlantic hand OA-or fist in the long 

 roll at sea and snaked a\vay to weather in a stylo tliat demon- 

 str.atcd how mediocre Atlantic really is when the talent of .loe 

 Elsworth is no longer of special a- ail. 



After rounding the Lightsliip, MayfloAver was exceedingly dila- 

 tory with her spinnaker and light muslin, twelve nuuutes elapsing 

 before she got kites on for the run in the beach, and coming home 

 on the W'roiig jibe into the bargain. Slie liad to shift over, and 

 Avastcd a pre-cious long time in the maneuver. She handed siiin- 

 naker long before reaching the Hook and drove home all the rest 

 of the wayAAith nothing but balloon jibtopsail, Mdiercits Atlantic 

 and Puritan drew spinnakers to advantage doAvn to the Spit on 

 the same \-ovage. iNIavflower won with any amount to spare, true 

 enough, but".shc might have got tho judges' Avhistle ten minutes 

 sooner had the crew been as smart as the decks they trod. It is 

 not intended to hold all hands resiionsible for the apparent negli- 

 gence, because the crew have really not had the time to shake 

 d<iAVii.to tfieir berths and pull together. ^A^len they do, Lieut. 

 Ifcnn's conservative and .pist remark that our crcAvs do not .seem 

 as smart as the English racing gangs may no longer apply. 



As to Puritan, though obliged to succumb to the greater length 

 of MavfloAver, she, could and shoubl have won for lierself a fair 

 second, with Atlantic well In her Avake, hud she not been badly 

 bntchci-cd from first to last. .'Vs it was, she only missed hor appro- 

 priate berth by twenty seconds. I'he boat was in excellent form 

 and cimld have at-f-cmplished wonders had .she been given half a 

 chance, We do not know AA-ho was at tho AAdieel nor who liad 

 charge of the deck during the race. It is not very maternd, for 

 the public is concerned alKRit the boat and Ihe causes wliich led 

 to the apparent collapse of such a reliable and popular champion 

 vessel. Man V a time during tlie match did the Puritan display the 

 good sfuft' there is in her, butiio sooner did licr prospects nrighfcn 

 than a fresh blunder sent cold vvater nveniuany anxious friends 

 watching her closely. She got aw!i.\ in fine shape under Atlantii 's 

 quarter and specililv drove up under tbe latter's lee. Not relishing 

 ttie position, Puritan Lad two roads from Avhic-h to select. One was 

 to e:ise awav a bit to escape the blanketing from the Atlantic and 

 theu fm-ce lier lee, AA'hich she was quite able to dOj as the rehitive 

 pace of the two made plain at the time. The other was 

 to try for Atlantic's Aveather. Puritan chose the latter 

 and 'more doubtful experiment. In place of squeezing to 

 the utmost and edging out gradually, she lufl'cd far too 

 smartly across Atlantic's wake, stood further and then filled away 

 again. Attho rate the yachts \vore tlien lop.gm.g, Puritan w.-isleft 

 many lengths astern by the time she once more gathered f uU way. 

 She then had nothing better than a stern chase in view, and that 

 is proverbially a long one. This Avas the vci'y mistake made by 

 Genestalast vearin the outside race, and which enabled Puritan 

 to score by more than two minutes Avhen it Avould otlieiwise ba\-e 

 been only a matter of .seconds between the pair. .Prom (.iwl'sllead 

 to Lafayette, Puritan was abominably sailed \vit]i head sheets lift- 

 ing, and slie sprung her luff in such an extent as to lose the wind 

 under the lee of the Hamilton bluffs, while Atlantic and Priscilla, 

 Avith big jibtopsails romped nw;i\ as tliey liked furtlier oh shore. 

 Half waA- down to the Spit, Puritan, apparently mistakmn: the true 

 course for Buoy No. 10, was pinehed out so high that slie had to be 

 kept Viroad off for the mark, hisiiig a gren/i deal of Avater roean- 

 Avhilc through sacrificing her footin.g. -U! hands aboard, accus- 

 tomed so long to coaching the flyer in the van, seemed to haA^elost 



