a 04 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Jan. 8, 1891. 



few hours we sighted Sonoma Landing and the mouth of Peta- 

 lunia Creek, and soon made the creek and passed through the 

 bridge at 11:15, the draw being opened at our approach without the 

 usual horn tooting. The day was a perfect one, and we slowly ran 

 before the wind up the river; enjoying every moment. We 

 touched bottom occasionally, but kept the hoard hair' down, so we 

 always got off without sticking. At Lakeville the wind died out. 

 so we dropped anchor and had a lunch. A schooner scow, loaded 

 with a high deck load of hay, and with a wheel elevated ho that 

 the helmsman could see ahead, lay near by. Will had been used 

 to speaking of our tiller, and said something about the schooner 

 scow having a high tiller. The captain of the scow, overhearing 

 him, observed with lofty contempt: "Dot vos a veel, don't it?" 



In about an hour the wind came up dead ahead, necessitating a 

 beat for the rest of the way. As we wished to see Petaluma we 

 kept on. the creek being now deep up to the banks. As we were 

 nearing the second drawbridge, about ten miles from Petaluma, 

 I went below to start the dinner. Although the stove wicks had 

 worked all right thus far they were too small, and when I lighted 

 them and was about to put the kettle on, such a flame shot up 

 from the stove that for a moment I thought that it had exploded. 

 The flame caught mo on the right side "of the face, singeing my 

 mustache and eyebrow and blisteriug my cheek, the pain being so 

 intense that at first I thought that I was severely burned, and 

 pictured to myself our having to return and abandon the cruise, 

 Sis had happened the year before when I crushed my finger in the 

 centerboaxd chain. The feeling of disappointment must have 

 driven away the pain, for after waiting a moment I went on deck 

 to see how much 1 was burned. Will was forward, passing a tow 

 line to Geice, who was in the skiff, and I went up to him and 

 asked him how I looked. He turned and saw me and commenced 

 to laugh, Oeice doing (he same. I could not see where the joke 

 came m. and told them so, but they thought my lop-sided appear- 

 ance very funny, so I Anally took their view of it and made the 

 best of it. Fortunately the damage to my countenance looked and 

 felt worse than it really was, and with the aid of some vaseline it 

 soon disappeared. 



When we neared the second drawbridge the keeper was not in 

 sight, and we blew the horn until all hands were black in the 

 face. At last, after having run the boat np to the bank and taken 

 a line ashore, the keeper made his appearance and leisurely set to 

 work to open the draw. First he surveyed us, then he walked 

 across and planted a danger flag, and then came back and planted 

 another, then slowly toyed with some of the fastenings about the 

 end of the bridge. For a time it appeared as though the bridge 

 would not be opened before dark, but finally 1 became disgusted 

 and, mounting on top of the cabin, made a few oil-hand remarks 

 about drawbridges and their keepers in general, and this one in 

 particular; The effect was magical, in an incredibly short space 

 of time the bridge was opened and we passed through, the keeper 

 apologizing most politely for his delay. I could not imagine what 

 could have produced such activity and change of manners on his 

 part, as the effect of my eloquent remarks had been to give me 

 relief rather than to have much effect on him; and it was not 

 until we passed the same bridge again on our homeward cruise 

 that, the mystery was fathomed. 



After passing this bridge, the creek narrows, and the wind 

 being still ahead it was constant tacking all the way to the town. 

 As the Cvretta is very quick in stays we made very good progress 

 nevertheless, reaching the town at 5:20 P. M., and tying up to the 

 wharf after passing through another drawbridge. After supper 

 we went out to see the sights. Petaluma is a very pretty place, 

 and apparently a thriving one, the streets being neatly laid out 

 and well-paved and lighted by electric lamps. We made a few 

 purchases and returned to the yacht to find the usual crowd of 

 idlers staring at her as if she was a novelty in the place. A real 

 live yachtsman seems to be a curiosity in most country towns, 

 and as we passed along the streets we met the "admiring" gaze of 

 the residents, while Will and Ceice seemed to think that every 

 pretty girl was dying for an introduction, 1 rather think that 

 they took us for strange specimens, and wondered why we were 

 allowed to roam at large. We met a young man on the wharf 

 who seemed to ta ke a great interest in yachting; so we invited 

 him on board and had a light lunch of sardine sandwiches and 

 wine. Our rural friend was quite infatuated with yachting, it 

 '■'(ring something new to him. We spent a very pleasant evening, 

 Ceice singing and playing his guitar. With regrets our new 

 friend took his leave, after promising to drive over to Napa to 

 see us when we arrived there three days later, as we told him we 

 expected to do. This was the last we saw of him, however, as he 

 did not keep his promise. 



I was awakened at 4 A. M. by the keeper of the drawbridge, who 

 wanted to know whether wc were going down the stream on that 

 tide. We were, but did not wish to start so early; so after telling 

 us that he was going home, having been up most of the night let- 

 ting schooner scows through, and that if we wanted to get out we 

 would have to open the draw ourselves, he departed, and we tried 

 to get a few hours more rest, in spite of all efforts we could not 

 get to sleep again, so finally gave up the attempt and turned out. 

 As there was no wind, the prospects of sailing down the creek 

 were very doubtful, but we decided to start with one hand in the 

 skiff towing the yacht; aDd with the aid of the tide we hoped to 

 make fair headway. 



The boys got the yacht under way, while I went ashore to play 

 bridge tender. A drawbridge was a new thing for me to manipu- 

 late, and while it always seemed simple enough as the man walked 

 around with the windlass and the ponderous bridge swung slowly 

 open, you soon reached the conclusion, when compelled to do the 

 windlass act yourself, that draw tending is not entirely the nice 

 easv job that it seems, and you know the reason why the bridge 

 tender never smiles on you as you pass through after opening the 

 bridge and having to close, it, again. I threw hack two lock bolts 

 that were in sight, and then tried to work the lever; but the old 

 bridge would not budge, and while 1 grunted and strained the 

 bovs on the boat thought it great fun and did all in their power 

 xo make it. enjoyable by offering suggestions, At last I discovered 

 another Sin. lock bolt that I had not drawn and had been trying 

 to break with but small success. After this was loosened the work 

 was easier, but at its best swinging a drawbridge is not a holiday 

 recreation. Finally, however, 1 got it open far enough to pass the 

 boat through, and then amused myself by shutting it again; but 

 all things have an end, and after forming a long procession of 

 wagous on each side of the river, 1 finished the job and departed 

 with the blessing of the delayed teamsters. 



The voyage down the creek was not thrilling, but finally we 

 arrived at the second drawbridge, which much to our surprise 

 was wide open, the Hibernian keeper, as we passed through, tak- 

 ing off his hat and wishing us good morning, taying, u Och! 'tis 

 proud I am to see the old flag again," pointing to the C.Y.C. flag 

 hanging limp at the masthead, "sure an' it is many a time 1 fought 

 under that flag." This was startling, as though the club flag bad 

 seen many a hard-fought race under it, we were certain that such 

 an old fossil as he had never been in them, and we were at a loss 

 to know what ho meant. After passing through the draw, Ceiee's 

 curiosity got the better of him, and he suggested that be should 

 go back in the skiff, bearing a bottle of beer as a gift to the 

 Patriarch, and endeavor to find out what he was driving at. In a 

 short time, he returned and explained all. The man irom Ireland 

 thought that, we were coast survey officers, seeing our blue 

 jackets. When I made a few remarks on the way up, causing 

 such added haste to his movements, he had taken it for granted 

 that we had only to report him and his job was gone. He had not 

 slept all night, waiting for us to return so as to be prompt to have 

 the draw in readiness. He thought he would try to concilliate us 

 by being unusually civil and praising our flag, mistaking it for the 

 American ensign. Ceice told him that we would not mention his 

 conduct this time, but he must not be so slow again, and added to 

 his delight by presenting him with the beer. When we left our 

 frightened friend was drinking the health of the Navy at large, 

 and he still retains the impression that he had a very close call. 



After having Lakeville we had very light winds, and only 

 emerged from the creek at 3 P. M. It was now the young flood, 

 so we took advantage of it to run to Sonoma Creek, along the So- 

 noma shore, arriving at i P. M. Soon after entering Sonoma 

 Creek ws passed into Napa Slough, a place that I had some doubts 

 about, having no charts and having been told that it was not 

 navigable; it proved, however, to be a fine stream, with deep 

 water up to the banks. Most of the way was before wind, with an 

 occasional hPch close hauled. Ou nearing the mouth we passed 

 a number of boats belonging to the market-hunters, the place 

 being a great resort for wildfowl. At 7 P. M. we entered the Nana 

 River, celebrating the event by running on the mud. We kedged 

 off and started up stream for the town of Napu , and after an 

 hour's run came to a drawbridge, which was opened promptly at 

 the blast of the horn. This bridge is where the fleet of the Co- 

 rinthian Y. 0. met with an accident the year before in trying to 

 tow through the draw with a dozen yachts in a string. The first 

 two passed through in safety, but at about The middle of the 

 string tbe tide swept the boats against the draw, and a genc-Tal 

 sruashup was the resull; since then the captains prefer to sail 

 through singly. 



We ran up the river until within a mile of Luscol, where we 

 anchored for the night, being undisturbed save by a steamer which 

 passed in the middle of the night and caused a general shaking up 

 by her swash. We got under way next morning at 9, and beat up 

 to Lone Tree Point, where we ran hard and fast aground. Try as 

 we might, we could not budge her, so we made the best of it, put- 



ting in our time swimming and washing our rather soiled duck 

 suits, until the tide rose high enough to float us, and wo Tesumed 

 our course, and after a pleasant sail, reached Napa at 13:30 P. M., 

 shooting a few birds on the way up. We anchored at the bridge at 

 Third street and took in the town. Napa is like most country 

 towns, but a little more select, being the county scat. After see- 

 ing aud being seen, with a balance in favor of being seen, we re- 

 turned to the boat and had supper, after which we took the small 

 boat and made a (rip to the head cf the creek. It was just dark 

 and the scenery was most delightful, especially after the amount 

 of marshy land we had lately passed through. Above Napa the 

 creek is thickly wooded until the head of navigation is reached, 

 about four miles up, where the trees are so dense that they meet 

 overhead. At this time of the evening the views down the long 

 reaches, with the dark green foliage, make a picture that is not 

 soon forgotten. We looked to find our Petaluma enthusiast on 

 our return to the yacht, hut he did not appear, so we turned in 

 after a time. 



We got under way at (5:30 A. M., slowly working our way down 

 the river to the first bridge below Luscol, then the tide turned, 

 and as we had no wind we anchored and had dinner. We again 

 got under way, but after making across the river and not gaining 

 at all wc anchored again and waited for the ebb, putting in our 

 time in vocal and instrumental efforts. At last, at 7 P. M-, the 

 ebbtide came and we made our slow way to Vallejo, anchoring 

 off North Vailejo at. 10 P. M. so thoroughly used up by drifting 

 under a. hot sun all day that we were not long in getting things 

 snugged down and turning in. In the morning we made an inland 

 cruise through Vallajo, mailing letters and purchasing ice and 

 provisions. There was not; much to see, and fitter walking about 

 t he town for a while we went aboard and got under way. 



There was not a breath of wind, but, a strong ebb tide favoring 

 us, we drifted down through the StraitB, passed Mare Island Navy 

 Yard and the old receiving ship Independence, aud into the bay 

 at the mouth of Carquinez Straits: where we anchored in the slack 

 water, as the tide rushes through the Straits at a five-knot speed 

 and we did not wish to drift down into San Pablo Bay. We went 

 in swimming and amused ourselves as we could until the tide 

 seemed to have run itself out, so we got our hook and made up the 

 Straits, passing Starr's Flour Mills and Port Costa with it3 

 mammoth grain sheds. It is here that the huge ferry steamer 

 Solano crosses from Benicia, carrying the overland passenger 

 trains. On a former cruise, in the beginning of the season, we ran 

 under her stern as she passed. We had fresh provisions on the 

 forward deck, between the mast and the house, and as we saw the 

 roller coming one dove for the forward hatch to close it and 

 another made a break for the provisions, but, too late; the surge 

 was too quick for him, and broke over the house; when the flecks 

 were free from water not a vestige of our supplies were in sight, 

 and we bad to eat that night at Martinez; paying* 75 cents for a meal 

 that the natives got for 25 cents, the hotel not catching wealthy 

 yachtsmen every day. An hour later we passed Benicia and the 

 United States Arsenal, soon after entering Suisun Bay. Flatten- 

 ing sheets a little, wc skirted the north shore, heading for Suisun 

 Creek and passing a naphtha launch uudcr steam and sail. 



Harrv L. Jones. 



[to be concluded.] 



THE LOSS OF THE NVANZA. 



THE above well known schooner yacht, the property of Capt. 

 Camming Dcwar, which was making a cruise around the 

 world, became a total loss on the Island of Ponapie, Caroline 

 Group, Western Pacific, on July 29 last. The following are brief 

 particulars of her voyage and wreck. Leaving Plymouth on July 

 21, 1887, she called at the following ports, viz.: Sr. Michael's, Azores; 

 Palma, Canary Islands; St. Vincent, Cape de Verde Islands; Fer- 

 nando Noronha, Trinidad, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Ne.uvo 

 Gul& Falkland Islands, thence via Magellan's Straits and Smyth's 

 Channel to the Pacific, Juan Fernandez, Alollendo, Callao, Easter 

 Island, islands of Fatou-Niva, Hiva-oa, and Nuka-lViva, in the 

 Marquesas group; Tahiti, Pan go Pan go and Apia. Samoa; Tong- 

 atabu, Fiji, New Carolina, islands of Er roaiango, "Vate, Mallieollc, 

 and Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides; the Banks group, Santa 

 Cruz, Honolulu, San Francisco, Esquimau (B. C), Lahaina, Sand- 

 wich Islands, tbe Marianas, Benin Islands, Kobe (Japan), Petro- 

 paulovski, Kamsehatka, Legiep, and Jaluit in the Marshall 

 Archipelago. From there she sailed for ICusaie, in the Caroline 

 croup, tbe. last port she was fated to reach, as a week later, on 

 July 29, 1890. at 1:10 A. M., she struck on the barrier reef of the 

 island of Ponapie, and became a total wreck. The night was fine, 

 with a light wind, the ship making about three knots. 



After striking, the swell and surf forced her higher aud higher 

 on the reef, until in about twenty minutes she fell over on her 

 beam ends. The boats were lowered and all hands embarked, tbe 

 sailing master and majority of tbe crew proceeded to the Spanish 

 settlement sixteen miles distant, the owner and five hands remain- 

 ing by the vessel, which was boarded at daylight, and an attempt 

 made to save as much property as possible, though efforts in this 

 direction were much frustrated by the natives, who began to 

 collect in large numbers, and commenced to steal all they could 

 lay their hands upon. In the afternoon assistance arrived in the 

 shape of four armed man of-war's boats, who took what had been 

 saved, and those of the crew who had not already gone, to the 

 colony, where they were most kindly and hospitably received by 

 the officers of the Spanish Government transport Manila. Work 

 on the yacht was carried on for the next three days, but, owing 

 to the authorities being unable to leave a guard at night, it was 

 not of much avail, as every evening crowds of armed natives went 

 on board to plunder. All hands remained at Ponapie until Oct. 1, 

 when they were taken to Manila, and thence to Hong Kong, where 

 a court of inquiry was held into the loss, and which censured the 

 sailing master, Capt. John Can ingtou, for not taking means to 

 verify his position on the afternoon of the 28th, and for making no 

 effort to got. the vessel off when she first struck. Up to the date 

 of the wreck, the Nyanza had sailed 12,781 nautical miles, at an 

 average speed of 101.09 knots per day. Her three best runs were 

 respectively 270, 352, aud 252 knots. She had proved herself to be 

 a most excellent and able sea boat, and her loss is much to be 

 regretted.— Field. 



A BIT OF YACHTING EXPERIENCE. 



THE graphic yarn of Com. Center in our last issue showed that 

 yachting Is not. all fun and fair weather. The following story 

 called forth by the recent loss of the yawl Urania, which we copy 

 from the Field, na rrates a similar experience in the historic gale 

 of July, 1875, on the Irish coast. It reads as follows: 



In tbe comments in the Field, of last week on the late disaster to 

 the Urania I notice a reference to the gale which drove the racing 

 fleet out of Bangor Bay in 1875, which arouses so many memories 

 of that eventful night, that possibly the description of the writer's 

 experience may not be uninteresting, written at the time as I 

 have no doubt the unfortunate Urania was caught under similar 

 circumstances. Our crew consisted of two paid hands aud three 

 amateurs, and while we were forced to take such a berth as we 

 did by the crowded state of the bay, the Urania had the whole 

 place to herself, and had therefore plenty of sea room had she 

 only cleared out in time; but she appears to have been simply left 

 to drive ashore. We were in one of the old 10-tonners, of which 

 there were some half dozen during the usual round of the re- 

 gattas. The Lily was another 10. The Britanniamentioned is the 

 old 40, and she rode out the gale perforce, as her crew were ashore 

 in the gig and were capsized trying to bring off the owner, whose 

 wife, however, was on board and one of the crew, so could not get 

 under wav. Onk of the Naiabs. 



"We had the Copelands abeam at 2 A. M , and after a very wet 

 passage entered Bangor Bay an hour later, where we found a good 

 fleet already arrived, and picking out a berth not too far from 

 shore, we let go. The Lily shortly followed us, and let go just in 

 shore of us, aud, after hailing her crew a 'good night' we were glad 

 to turn into our warm blankets. 



"We had slept our hardest for but an hour, when the ever- 

 watchful skipper, who had kept on the alert, aroused us about fi ve 

 o'clock with the information that we had best get out of the bay 

 as soon as possible, and on slipping on a few things and coming on 

 deck, we found the need of an immediate flight only too necessary; 

 for oh! such confusion met our half-awakcncd gaze. 



"The wind had piped up to the strength of a gale, which blew 

 straight in from the open sea, we were diving bows under to the 

 bitts, and shoveling masses of solid water along the decks until 

 everything was awash. Around us the fleet were in various at ages 

 of confused endeavors to spread canvas and get underway, while 

 two or three lucky ones were already disappearing under just a 

 shred of canvas round the point, for the shelter of Carrickfergus. 



''Onboard our neighbors the anxious looking crews were in a 

 state of excited animation, straggling with spars and sails which 

 had broken adrift, the seas continually drenching over them. On 

 board Britannia, on our quarter and nearer the shore, a solitary 

 figure was clinging with terror-stricken face to the mast, and the 

 yacht had already -dragged so near the breakers that we expected 

 every moment to see her go ashore. We could not get under way 

 ourselves on either tack, as we. had the Lily to starboard aud a 

 cruising yawl to nort, which effectually barred our passage, so we 

 were compelled to look on until one or the other had cleared out, 

 which the former was preparing to do with all speed; but on board 

 the yawl there were only visible an elderly gentleman and a young 



lady, and they appeared to be looking on unconcernedly at the 

 frantic efforts of those on board the other vessels to get away. 



"Meanwhile it was with the greatest difficulty wc. were, able to 

 get the storm jib on the out haul, as it toon, us all wc knew occa- 

 sionally to hold on and prevent ourselves being washed overboard ; 

 but at last we managed this, and to get the trysail close reefed 

 and reads' for hoisting. 



"The Lily had by this time succeeded in heaving short her 

 anchor, and was on the point of making a start, and we watched 

 her anxiously. She was but a few yards inshore of us. and as we 

 barred her passage on the one hand, she was compelled to make 

 a short board toward the rocks, having but 20yds. to gather way 

 in: so any mistake in coming about must have been fatal. Hav- 

 ing succeeded in getting her anchor (she had only one on board, 

 or would have slipped, as we did), she paid off toward the. break- 

 ers for a few yards, just gathering sufficient way for coming about; 

 then her helm was put down, and with just enough way to bring 

 her round she came np to the wind, when at the critical moment 

 a sea struck her and threw her off again toward the rocks, and 

 we thought for a moment she was gone, but recovering from the 

 shock she came up again, and, shakiogfor a moment in the wind, 

 gradually paid off again and filled on the other tack, and after a 

 narrow squeak hung up'to windward and out. of danger; another 

 board, and she was making good way, and at last weathered the 

 point and was away after the others for the shelter of Carrick- 

 fergus. 



"It was our turn now, and careful of every inch of water we 

 sailed her well up to the spring which we had attached to the 

 cable, intending to slip if, then let go the spring and held on a tew 

 j ards toward the roefcf, over the same course as Lily had taken, 

 and when within a few yards of the breakers, with just enough way 

 on to bring us well round, we put the helm down, and with our 

 hearts in our mouths waited to see tbe good little ship shoot up 

 into the wind for tbe pinch; but there was doubt only for a 

 moment longer, and we fell away on the other tack and were safe, 

 as we could weather the yawl easily, and the way the Naiad clawed 

 out to windward through the heavy seas was truly a marvel. 

 Two or three short boards enabled us to weather the point, and 

 with the water drenching over tts in smothering showers we 

 reached away after the Lily. Another hour found us ridine in 

 welcome shelter at last, and after a good breakfast we felt none 

 the worse for our hardships." 



A VERACIOUS CHRONICLE, 



THE following is a translatijn of an article on the America's 

 (Jun, contributed by At med Mithad Effendi to the Terjiman 

 iHakikat of Constantinople. Though not quite in accordance 

 with the truth, it is hardly more absurd than some of tbe stories 

 from sources both American and British, which should be better 

 informed; "Tbe progress of nautical science cannot be secured as 

 long as our police continue to arrest people who go out in sail - 

 boa.ts and get, upset. It is by being upset that men learn not to be 

 upset. By one mau's being drowned a thousand learn not to be 

 drowned. The hope of naval progress is in the growth of love of 

 the sea among the tinner classes. This is snown by the history of 

 the America Cup. Wealthy men in England and America form 

 yacht clubs and sail their own yachts. Fifty years ago a ratse of 

 the English yachts was arranged at which the prize was the 

 Queen's Cup, made of gold, and worth five hundred pounds. To 

 compete for this prize the New York Y. C. sent over the Amer- 

 ica. There were fourteen yachts from all Europe, and the Amer- 

 ica was the fifteenth. Nine of the yachts were English, and 

 hundreds of thousands of people went to see the race. 



"As the yachts came in, behold the first one was the America. 

 No one has the right to demand of me a description of the anger 

 aud disappointment of the English at this result of the race. As 

 to the Americans they made the universe tremble with the noise 

 of their rejoicings. When the' America returned to New York 

 with her prize, the yacht was taken bodily into the museum of the 

 Yacht Club where she remains. 



"It appears that the Americans had, out of sight of all, a mov- 

 able keel, which enabled the America to carry twice as much can- 

 vas as other yachts of her size. Of course, the English demanded 

 the right to try and win back the prize, and in the struggle, great 

 improvements in models and rig have been wrought out, which 

 have benefited the navy and merchant marine of both countries. 



"The Americans let the English try again, but insisted that as 

 the America had won the cup against nine English competitors, 

 the English champion must be opposed by nine American yachts. 

 All. nine of the Americans came in ahead of the poor Englishman. 

 In half a century the English have competed fight times in vain, 

 in their efforts to recover that cup. At last, having made such 

 improvements in sb p-building as assured their winning tbe cup, 

 they found tbe Ami ric ins putting new conditions on the com- 

 petition. Tbe Americans said, that as the English had been 

 beaten in eight separate trials, (hey may not have the cup, unless 

 they can win it in eight consecutive races. 



"There is obstinacy in such a long contest; but under t he auspices 

 of such obstinacy these two countries have built up their navies." 



INTERNATIONAL RACING. 



ANEW impetus has been given to the usual midwinter gossip 

 over challenges and big boats by the arrival in New York on 

 Dec. 30 of Lieut. Henn. owner of Galatea and challenger for the 

 America's Cup in 188(5. Lieut. Henn, who is, of course, accom- 

 panied by Mrs. Henn. came over on the Umbria, his destination 

 being Florida, where he wintered in 1886-7. There he will charter 

 a centerboard sloop and cruise about the coast, fishing and hunt- 

 ing. Mrs. Henn's special object on the expedition will be to cap- 

 ture another coon as docile, and intelligent as the. late lamented 

 Seminole Sam, familiar to all visitors aboard the Galatea in 1887. 

 Oalatea is now laid up at Plymouth, with Captain Bradford still 

 in charge. After a pleasant week in New York, during which they 

 were entertained by many yachtsmen, Mr. and Mrs. Henn sailed 

 on Monday for Florida, to return in April. 



Lieut. Henn will always be welcome in America, hut in the 

 present case he has brought news that alone would have insured 

 a hearty reception. He states that wnen it was learned that he 

 proposed, to visit New York, he was rearrested by some British 

 yachtshien to state to the New York Y. C. that if the objection- 

 able dimension clause was dropped from the new deed of gift a 

 challenge would at once be sent; and to confer with the club over 

 the matter. Of course all this is purely informal, but just at 

 present a challenge would be most acceptable, and tbe matter has 

 been carefully discussed between Lieut. Henn and the officers of 

 tbe New York Y. O. 



The famous "dimension clause" is the principal as well as the 

 worst feature of the new deed, and although only three years ago 

 it was considered by the committee of revision as a masterpiece, 

 an opinion then shared by many yachtsmen as well as the daily 

 press, it has since come in for general condemnation. There are a 

 few to-day, but a very few, wno still defend it, and oppose any 

 alteration of the deed as it stands; but the great majority are only 

 too ready to hurry it over the side if any convenient pretext can 

 be found for doing so. 



In view of the deffnbe statement of Lieut. Henn, that if this 

 clause be removed a emllenge will come at once, there is a gen- 

 eral search for some means of remedying 'he blunder which en- 

 sued from the hasty and secret methods by which the new deed 

 was made to replace the old. The long neglected "mutual agree- 

 ment" clause has been brought out and dusted off, and a vague 

 scheme is proposed, by which tbe dimension clause may be 

 "waived" by "mutual agreement." 



Assuming that the new deed is legal, and that the New York Y. 

 C. cannot and will not alter its provisions, it is not plain how any 

 one of these" provisions can be permanently nullified, without 

 affecting the whole deed. The New York Y. C. has the power- 

 under the new deed to waive any demands, or to enter into a 

 mutual agreement for one race; but it is absolutely powerless to 

 make any agreement which shall be permanently binding on all 

 future holders of the. cup; or to exact from any future holder a 

 guarantee that he in turn will give up any of the advantages 

 secured to him by the new deed. The final clause of that noted 

 document is a east iron one, calling for covenants and instru- 

 ments from, a winner before the Cup will be delivered to him, in 

 which he binds himself to observe all the provisions of the deed. 

 It would look well, after the labor which has been expended in 

 tying a matter of sport into the closest possible legal knot, to ex- 

 act tram a winner supplementary covenants binding him not to 

 exercise certain of the privileges accorded him in the main docu- 

 ment. 



The New York Y. C. has now the power to offer (he most liberal 

 terms to a challenger for one race, waiving any or all of the con- 

 ditions, but in the event of a victory on the part of the chal- 

 lenger it must turn the cup over to be held solely under tbe letter 

 of the new deed of gift. Even now yachtsmen have begun to 

 realize that the conditions of that admirable document will 

 sound very different when read to them by a Scotch or British 

 bidder of the Cup; that there are two sides to the "dimensions" 

 and "no time allowance" clauses, a fact which we pointed out 

 three years since. 



So far as an immediate, race is concerned a British challenger 

 would be granted almost anything he might ask and the New 

 York Y. C would no doubt readily enter into negotiations for;a 



