Feb. 2 l 1895. 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
95 
STEAM YACHT "SYLVIA," COM. E. M. BEOWIf, NEW YORK Y. C. 
Cliarge, and the balance of the crew was sent out from New York. 
The foremost, jacks were Norwegians and Sou'wegians, the cap- 
tain and officers being all Americans. The yacht was turned over 
to them on October 10. being then in good condition, and Capt. 
Clark returned to New York, expecting the yacht to follow as 
soon as she could be fitted for sea. 
On Nov. 14- a cable message to Com. Brown brought the news 
that the vacht was at Waterford, Ireland, and that the crew re- 
fused to proceed in her, on the ground that she was unseaworthy. 
In this emergency Capt. Clark was called in and advised shipping 
an entire new crew and continuing the voyage, but a difficulty 
arose in the refusal of the underwriters to continue the insurance 
in view of the action of the crew and the season of the year. They 
finally offered, however, to continue the policy on condition that 
Capt/ Clark would bring the vessel over himself, and in the latter 
part of November he,:accornpanied by Mrs. Clark, left New Y r ork 
on^the Teutonic, arriving at Queenstown on November 37. 
Next day Capt. Clark visited the yacht and found her uninjured, 
but entirely unprepared for a long sea voyage. Arrangements 
were at onco made for returning all hands to their homes safely 
and comfortably by steamer, and shipping a new crew of sailor- 
men, preparatory to continuing the voyage. A force of scrub 
women were set to work below, a, spar maker and sail maker were 
called on to overhaul the rigging for the winter trip across the 
Atlantic, the rigging was rattled down, storm cloths fitted on the 
bridge, the stores re-stowed and the vessel completely overhauled 
fore and aft. Although time and money had been freely expended 
on this work in the original fitting out, it had been very badlv 
done, and the vacht had started in no condition to go to sea. It 
fame out incidentally that on her voyage from Dublin to Water- 
ford she had never been out over night, funning by day from port 
to port, a safe and easy proceeding that answered for a time, but 
could hardly have been continued much further in the direction 
of New York. , 
Nearly three weeks were spent in preparation, and on December 
30, at 11:05 A. M., the "Sylvia" cast off from the moorings of the 
yacht ;"Celia," in Queenstown harbor, dipped her colors to the 
Tioval Cork Y. C, passed the "Majestic," just from New York, 
saluted the big "Warsprite," lying in harbor, and with a flock of 
sea-gulls following in her wake she made her number at noon off 
Roche's Point. Captain Clark was in command, Mrs. Clark 
accompanying him, the other occupants of the cabin being a hand- 
some little Irish terrier presented to them in Queenstown, and 
their cat. Belgie, who always travels with them. An entire new 
crew has been shipped. The bunkers were full, 40 tons of coal, 
the average daily consumption being 4 1-3 tons. 
On Friday, December 31 the yacht took her departure alongside 
of Daunt's" Rock Lightship, and set the log soon after setting 
mainsail, foresail, main and fore staysail to a fresh N. W. wind 
which held throguh the night, with light rain squalls. The log 
records: "Ship going along finely, throwing spray across the decks, 
but no solid water." 
On December 33 the same N. Wt wind held, growing fresher, 
and the same canvas was carried until 4:30 P.M., when the stay- 
sails were taken in, the wind hauling to S. AY. and increasing. 
8 P. M.: Blowing hard from S. VY. through the first watch, high 
sea,, skip going through it finely, throwing spray fore and aft, but 
no green water except over whaleback forward. At 11:30 P.M. 
shipped heavy sea forward, carried away weather cloth on bridge 
and broke stanchions. Slowed down and hauled up to 8.VY. by W. 
Middle >-atch, high sea, ship behaving splendidly, hove to, no 
water on deck. 6 A. M.: Wind hauled to northward. Kept off to 
S. S. E., easy speed, with oil bags over starboard bow, keeping sea 
smooth. 8 A. M.: Full speed, course S. W. 1-4 S. Set all fore and 
aft canvas. Day ends fine, with high sea. 
December 23 came in with a moderate breeze from N. N. W. and 
high and confused sea, clear and fine overrhead, all fore and aft 
canvas set, but taken in at 4 A. M., the weather being calm, with 
long rolling sea. 8 A. M.: Foggv, continuing through the day. 
December 24: Fine, with light northerly breeze. 2 P. M.: Set all 
fore and aft sails. Through the night fine, with long rolling sea. 
2 A.M.: In all fore, and aft canvas. 6 A.M.: Fine strong breeze 
from N. N. E. Set squaresail with bonnet off, considerable sea, 
ship running well. 11 A. M.: Set fore and mainsails and main 
staysail, day ends with strong N. N. E. wind and high sea. Over- 
cast, with light rain squalls. 
Tuesday, December 25: Comes in with strong wind from N. N. E., 
overcast, high sea, square sail, foresail, mainsail and main stav- 
sail set; engines racing considerably. 4:30: In squaresail, wind 
hauling more to the eastward. 13:20 A. M.: Stopped engines to re- 
pair valve of air-pump; turned ahead at 4 A.M. 6 A.M.: Sea 
smooth, decks dry for first time since leaving Queenstown. At 
sunrise clear and mild, gentle breeze from N. N. E. Ends fine, 
light breeze from the eastward and smooth sea. All fore and aft 
canvas set. 
Wednesday, December 26: Comes in fine, with smooth sea. 3 P. 
M.: Calm, in all fore and aft canvas. 4 P. M.: Sighted Porto 
Santo, 40 miles distant, dead ahead. At 8 P. M. western end of 
Porto Santo abeam. At 8:10 sighted Fora Island. Light ahead 
30 miles distant. In company With steamship bound in. At 13:30 
anchored in the harbor of Funchal, Madeira, 5 days 13 hours from 
Queenstown. The daily runs were: 237 miles, 4 1-2 tons of coal: 178 
miles, 4 tons: 242 miles, 4 1-3 tons; 251 miles, 4 1-3 tons; 208 miles, 
4 1-4 tons; 98 miles, 3 tons; a total of 1,217 knots, an average of 9.3 
knots, on 35 tons of coal. 
December 26-37 were holidays in Funchal, and no work was 
done. Repairs were required on the air-pump, but the machine 
shop ashore was closed, and it was not until Saturday, December 
29, that the yacht was ready for sea again, having repaired the 
pump and taken aboard 23 tons of coal in the bunkers and 29 tons 
on deck, a total of 67 tons. The day was clear and fine, with a 
strong N. E. wind, and at 9:30 A. M, the anchor was weighed and 
the yacht passed out to sea, saluting H. M.S. ship "Rambler." 
The departnre was taken from Loo Rock at 9:50 A. M.; and at 11 
the large squaresail was set. 
Sunday, December 30: Comes in with strong N. E. wind and high 
sea, the yacht shipping considerable water. The large squaresail 
was set; oil bags were hung over the bows. 8 P. M.: Sea and wind 
moderating; fine through the night, with light rain squalls. 6 
A. M.; Wind hauling to the eastward; set main and foresails and 
main staysail. Day ends fine, with heavy rollers from the east- 
ward. Distance by revolutions from Loo Rock, 257 miles; 5 tons 
of coal burned in 27 hours. 
Monday, Dec. 31: Fine with moderate breeze from the eastward. 
3 P. M.: Calm, with heavy rollers from northward; ship rolling 
and squaresail slatting. At, 3:30 in squaresail. 10 P. M.: Fine, 
with fresh breeze from N. E.; set, squaresail. Fine through the 
night. 6 A. M.: Rigged port squaresail boom, which sets sail 
finely. 8:45: Stopped engines to repair air-pump, breeze moderate 
from S. E., making 3 knots under fore and mainsails" and square- 
sail. 10:20: Ahead at full speed. Ends fine, with wind fresh from 
S. W. Distance, 210 miles, -> 
Tuesday, January 1, 1895; Comes in fine and clear, with.fresh gale 
from E. Si E.; squaresail and fore and aft canvas set. Through 
the njght, strong S. E. wind and high sea: heavy squalls of wind 
and rain. Carrying canvas hard to drive her along. At 4 A.M.: 
In a heavy squall, burst the foot of squaresail and took it, in for 
repairs. Through the, night large quantities of water on deck. 
Ends with gale from E. S. E. and nigh sea. Distance. 245 miles. 
"Wednesday, January 2: Comes in fine with heayv sea and 
Strong wind from E. S. E. 6 P. M.: Heavy squall of wind, ram 
and lightning. All fore and aft canvas set, but too heavy f or 
squaresail. Through the night, heavy sea from southward and 
Sharp squalls of wind and rain from S. E. 8 A.M.: Rolling rail 
under and filling decks with water. Fore and aft canvas set to 
ease her. Ends clear, with heavy sea. Distance, 230 miles. 
Thursday. January 3: Comes in fine, with heavy sea,from south- 
ward. 4 P.M.: Sea moderating; sighted large four-masted ship to 
the southard, bound N. Through the night high sea, heavy squalls 
of wind and rain from S.W. 8 A.M.: Sighted a barque to the. 
southward, bound E. 10 A. M:. Large ship and barque m sight, 
steering to the northward. Exchanged signals with the barque, 
but could not read her number. Ends clear and fine, with high 
sea from westward. Distance, 220 miles. 
Friday, January 4: Clear, with high sea from westward and, b. 
W., with passing squalls of wind and rain from the southward . 
Wind strong from southward. 8 P.M.: Sky clear and wind and 
sea moderating. Ends with strong gale from the west and high 
sea from southward. Decks constantly full of water; ship going 
through it finely. Distance, 210 miles. 
From Madeira Captain Clark had steered a S. Yv . course to 
catch the. N. E. trades about latitude 25; and at noon on January 4 
was on that, latitude, in longitude 40-16. The looked-for N. E 
trades and fine weather had not yet appeared, and the original 
plan of running along latitude 25 until well to the southward of 
Bermuda, was abandoned, and the yacht at once hauled up for 
that, port, on a N. W 1-3 W. course. 
Saturday. January 5: The day opened with a continuance of the 
sea and gale, and at 2 P. M. the course was shifted from W. to N. 
W. by W., for Bermuda direct; setting main and fore staysails to 
stead? the ship. The log notes: "lam satisfied that there is no 
better weather for steaming here than further to the northward, 
and so have decided not to run our easting down on latitude 35, 
but to steer for Bermuda direct." Through the night fine and 
clear, hut with heavy sea. Day ends fine, with moderate breeze 
from W. N. W., but less sea. Distance, 210 miles. 
Sundav, January 6: Comes in fine, with moderate wind from 
W. N. W.. and high sea from westward. Evening and all night 
fine, with heavy sea from westward, and strong wind. 11 A. M.: 
Wind hauled to the northward. Set foresail and fore and main 
staysails. Ends with moderate wind from northward and high 
sea. Distance, 300 miles. _„ 
Monday, January 7: Comes in clear, with heavy sea from N. \\ ., 
strong breeze from N. N. W., and hauling more to northward. 
Through the night, less sea and steady wind. At 7 A. M. set main- 
sail and unbent squaresail. and got yard on deck. Day ends over- 
cast, with sea making from northward. Ship going well. Dis- 
tance, 223 miles. ' ■ 
Tuesday, January 8; Strong gale from northward and heavy sea. 
Ship rolling lee-rail under and filling decks. At 1 P. M. took in 
fore and mainsail to case ship. Ha ve never seen any vessel run 
better across heaw seas, 4 P. M.: Sea broke across bridge and for- 
ward house. Should heave her to, except that we have barely 
coals for Bermuda. Through the night the same. 3 A. M.: 
Shipped heavy sea, filling decks. 4 A. M. : Heavy squall, took in 
fore staysail. Day ends with less sea, set fore and mainsail and 
fore staysail. Distance. 205 miles. 
- Wednesday, January 9: Comes in with fresh gale from N. E., 
and considerable sea. - Fine through the night. Wind haulnig 
to the eastward, and less sea. At lA. M. set main and foresails, 
sea smooth, ends fine. At noon St. David's Head bore W. JS . \\ ., 
35 miles distant. Distance. 248 miles. 
Thursday, January 10: Comes in fine, with light passing ram- 
squalls. At 2 P. M. sighted St. David's Head, 1-2 point on star- 
hoard bow. 15 miles distant. At 3 P. M. took pilot on board; at 
4:30 P. M. health officer; 5:30 P. M.. made fast to coal hulk m St. 
George's Harbor. Twelve days 5 hours from Madeira. Distance 
steamed, 2,734 miles. Coal consumption during passage, 55 tons 
leaving 12 tons in bunkers. 
January 10-11 were spent in coaling, 30 tons being taken aboard, 
the vovage being resumed at 11 A. M. on the latter date, the pilot 
being discharged at noon outside St. David's Head. 
Sundav. January 13: Comes in fine, with fresh breeze from S. S. 
E. At 12:30 the N. E. buoy bore west. At 1 P. M. set all fore and 
aft canvas. 4 P. M.: Moderate breeze hauling to S. W. Fine and 
clear through the night with moderate sea. Ends with strong 
breeze from S. W., clear and fine. Distance. 245 nides. 
Mondav. January 14: Comes in with heavy gale and high sea 
from S. W., throwing spray fore and aft, and some solid water, 
filling decks. Washed away breakwater on whaleback and shifted 
starboard anchor and hawser on main deck. Day ends the same; 
the little ship making good weather and guing through the seas 
finely. Distance, 168 miles. 
Tuesday. January 15: Comes in with strong N. W. gale and high 
sea; toward night more moderate. Midnight, sea much smoother 
and fine overhead. 10 A.M.: Made Barnegat Lighthouse on port 
bow, 15 miles distant. At 11 A. M. took New Y T ork pilot from 
schooner "Fannie," No. 17. Dav ends smooth and fine. At 3 P. 
M. passed Sandy Hook. 5 P. M., and let go anchor off Bay 
Ridge; weather fine and clear. So ends this vyoage. Distance 
steamed from Bermuda to Sandy Hook, 685 miles; coal consump- 
tion, 16 tons. The average revolutions for the voyage was 93; the 
coal consumption 4 1-2 tons per day. The distance covered, from 
Queenstown to New York , was 4,636 nautical miles, the time being 
20 days, 22 hours. 
On January 16 all hands were employed in cleaning up and stow- 
ing away gear, being paid off next day; the chief engineer and 
two firemen, with three of the crew, being retained to take the 
yacht to Port Jefferson, which was done on January 18, the vessel 
being moored seeurely.after which Captain Clark hauled down her 
colors and gave over the command to her original captain, who 
had reached homo safely'by steamer some time before. 
The "Sylvia" is, we believe, the smallest steam-yacht which has 
crossed the Atlantic, with one execution. When Captain Clark 
took the little sloon "Alice" across from Boston to Cowes. in 1866, 
she was the smallest yacht that had then made the Atlantic 
passage. November 39, years later, he has made, another record 
for the smallest steam-yacht to make the winter passage. That 
the vovage was no mere pleasure trip is shown bv the. abstracts of 
the log; but at the same time it, presented no difficulties nor hard- 
ships to appall a competent and courageous seaman. 
That the fears and complaints of the first crew were groundless, 
and that the.v slandered the little ship, are proven by her perform- 
ance through a long stretch of rough weather. "Just who is to 
blame for the disgraceful fiasco, we do not know, nor does it much 
matter, the captain claims that he was ready and willing to make 
the voyage, but that his crew refused to sail and this may be true; 
but it speaks poorly for American seamen when an American 
crew refuses to do the work that is done later by a mixed crew ot 
all nationalities; and when an American skipper, with a good ship 
under him, and every inducement to make a passage, makes no 
attempt to replace a poor crew with a good one, but deliberately 
gives up the task to another and goes home by abig liner. We are 
glad that, after some Americans have thus failed, their task has 
been completed, not by a foreigner, but by such a true American 
seaman as Captain Arthur H. Clark. 
A Racing Circuit on the Sound. 
The question of a racing circuit on Long Island Sound has been 
under discussion for some time, and the initiative was at last 
taken bv Mr. F. B. Jones, of the Indian Harbor Y r . C, who issued 
the following call: 
"You are invited to attend a meeting of the chairmen ot regatta 
committees of vacht clubs located on Long Island Sound, to be 
held at the Arena, 41 West Thirtv-flrst street, New York City, on 
Monday, January 28, at 8 P. M., the object bciug to arrange, if 
possible, a schedule of dates for racing events for the season ot 
1895, and to discuss other matters relating to the racing interests 
oj tie di ft'erent clubs." 
The response was most encouraging, the following yachtsmen 
being present. u . 
F. A. Moore, Horseh.be Harbor Y. C; Thonias Fleming Day, 
Oyster Bay, L. L; J. Howard Wai nwright, American Y r . C, Har- 
rison, N. Y; D. M. Goodridge, New Haven Y. C, New Haven, 
Conn.; Dr. A. G. Weed, Stamford Y. C, Stamford, Conn.; Julius 
Finkenstern, Roton Point Y. C, RowaytOn, Conn.; J. Douglas 
Sparkman, Corinthian Mosquito Fleet, New Rochelle, JS. Y.; E. b. 
Wheeler, Cedar Point Y r . C, Saugatuck, Conn.; James G. Green, 
Norwalk Y. C, Norwalk, Conn.; W. G. Newman Douglaston 
Y r . C, Douglaston, L. I., and W, H. Bradley, Shelter Island Y. C, 
Shelter Island N. Y. 
Mr. W. H. Bradley was elected temporary chairman and F. B. 
Jones secretary. Mr. Jones addressed the meet.ifig, stating the 
nrcd of concerted and harmonious action. A proposal was ad- 
vanced to form an association but the prevailing idea was that, for 
the present nothing more should be done than to agree on dates, 
which were finally arranged as follows: 
.RACING. ETXTTJB.KS. 
! June S— Knickerbocker annual. 
June 15— Larcbmont spring regatta. 
June 22— Douglaston annual. 
June 24— Seawanhaka Cor. annual. 
June 25— Seawanhaka Cor. run to New London. 
RACING CIRCUIT. 
June 29— New Rochelle annual. 
June 1— Indian Harbor special. 
June 3— Seawanhaka Cor. race to Larchmont. 
July 4— Larchmont annual. 
July 5 — American special. 
July 6— Riverside aunual. 
July 8— Seawanhaka Cor. special. 
July 9— Horseshoe Harbor special. 
July 10— Huguenot special. 
July 11— New Y/ork special. 
July 13— Larchmont special. 
July 13— Hempstead Harbor Club annual. 
July 20— Sea Cliff annual. 
July 37— Indian Harbor annual. 
Au g. 3— Shelter Island annual. 
Aug. 3— Larchmont special. 
Aug. 10— American annual. 
Aug. 15— Sea Cliff special. 
Aug. 17— Hugueuot annual. 
Aug. 34— Horseshoe Harbor Club annual. 
Aug" 24— -Norwalk annual. 
Aug. 3— American special. 
Aug. 31— Huntington annual. 
Aug. 31— Larchmont special. 
Sept. 2— Larchmont fall. 
Sept. 5— Larchmont special. 
Sept. 7— Larchmont special. 
Sept. 12— Sea Cliff special. 
Sept. 14— Larchmont special. . 
The chairman, on motion of Mr. Jones, appoiu tod a special com- 
mittee of three to draw up a resolution to be presented by the 
assembled delegates to their respective clubs, stating the objects 
of the new association: ' • < 
C W Wetmoro. Seawanhaka Cor. Y. C, as Chairman; KB. 
Jones. Indian Harbor C, as Sec, and S. C. Pirie, Cliff Y. C. The 
committee submitted the following resolution: 
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the various 
vacht clubs situated on Long Island Sound should co-operate to 
promote the interest of yacht racing, and to that end that the ques- 
tion should be submitted to the various clubs at their next meet- 
ings of considering what measures shall be adopted to further 
this purpose. . - , T .. - . 
The resolution was unanimously adopted, alter which the meet- 
ing adjourned, to meet at the call of the chairman, in the spring. 
Yacht News Notes. 
Mr A Cary Smith has jusfplaced an order with Harlan & 
Hollingsworth for a steel schooner for W. G. Brokaw, who has 
sold his schooner Viator to Alfred J. Morgan, of New Y ork. 
The new yacht will be 99 ft. over all, just under 70 ft. l.w. 1, 21 it. 
beam and 12 ft, draft, though having a centreboard. She will have 
the handsome sheer for which Mr. Smith's boats are noted, em- 
phasized hy long ends, with low buttock lines. The fore end shows 
the. modern Roman nose. Mr. Smith has also an order for a steel 
steam-yacht, beside several catboats. 
Mr H C Wintringham'has completed a very taking design for 
a 34-f'ooter to the new Larchmont special rules; the lines are very 
handsome, and the interior shows an amount of space m excess ot 
the requirements of the rule. Anyone intending to build tor the 
class may find in this design at the least a handsome and com- 
fortable craft, and from all indications a speedy one as well. 
Vigilant, is still minus her centreboard, nothing having been 
done' to replace it, She will probably be brought over early m the 
season and refitted here with a new board for the trial races. 
The New Y/ork Herald and the New York Sun have each started 
a competition for names for the new syndicate cup defender. In 
the case of the Herald, some unknown yachtsman has offered a 
prize of SI 00 for the best name sent m by March 1.1 he three 
owners of the boat ^all decide the best name submitted. 
Columiba. schooner, is at Port Jefferson, being replanked. 
Mr. Clement Gould. President of the Gas Engine and Power Co.. 
died in New York on January 17, at the age of titty- three. The 
great success of the naphtha launch industry is due very largely 
to Mr Gould's energy and business ability, and the company will 
find it very difficult to fill his place. 
The Albany Y. C. has elected the following officers: Com., B. M. 
Gordeniet; Vice-Corn., John C. Hughson; Sec John AHasblom; 
Treas H \ Grey; Meas., John Apple; Board of Trustees, W. A, 
Bloomer, James D. Glenn and C. M. Bacheller; Inspectors of Elec- 
tions, T. B. Wilkinson, Louis Van Ramerick and Edward Du 
Bois. 
Eleanor, steam-yacht, was at Bombay on January 34. 
Yampa schooner, R, S. Palmer, was spoken on January 21, in 
latitude 33-20, longitude 57-30. All well . 
The latest report, concerning Valkyrie lit. is that Captain 
John Carter, of Britannia, will sail her in the cup races. Captain 
Carter is well known here, having sailed Genesta in 1885. 
A canoeists' dinner wffl be held at the Arena, 41 West 31st 
street, on Saturday. February 9, at 6:30, the cost being Sl.oO per 
plate. Mr. C. V. Schuyler, 860 Broadway, N. Y., has charge of the 
arrangements. 
At the annual meeting of the Biscayne Bay Y r . C.held on the 
first Saturday of the year, officers were elected for the ensuing 
year as follows: ■ ,. _ . _ „. , 
Com R M. Munrod; Vice-Corn., Lewis D. Benton; secy, Kurt 
Munroe: Treas.. Walter H. Browne; Meas., Albert L. Caillet. 
Commodore Munroe, having sold Wabun, has brought out a now 
boat this winter that he had built at Tottenville last summer, and 
sailed down the coast in the fall, taking two months to erne trip. 
She is Utilia. a remarkably seaworthy little craft, only feet over 
