it a 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[ Aug. 6, 1898. 
The Measurement Rule. 
The Yachtsman, under date of July 14, comments as 
follows on the measurement question in this country: 
The race committee of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Y. 
C. is evidently most anxious, by a change of the meas- 
urement rule, to end the peculiar state into which yacht- 
ing in the United States has fallen ; and, as we mentioned 
some weeks ago, it has already suggested a formula to 
effect this object. It is a strange thing, but beyond dis- 
pute, that at present yacht racing in America is almost 
stagnant; and at the. same time there is every inclina- 
tion amongst yachtsmen to pursue the sport. This can 
only be due to the fact that the racing machine has 
completely spoiled the sport. 
A precisely similar state of affairs existed in this coun- 
try in 1885, when the 1730 rule was in its last stage. 
So much was this the fact that no appreciable recovery 
in the largest class took place for years; and the Field 
actually considered large yacht racing dead forever. 
Happily, this has not turned out to be the case, but there 
was every reason for such a despondent view at that 
time. We trust that America is only passing through 
the same dull time, and from the same cause. 
There is no doubt, from the popularity of the one- 
design classes, that a satisfactory rule is the sole remedy 
for the present state of affairs, and the Seawanhaka com- 
mittee is perfectly alive to that fact. The rule, whatever 
it is to be, should be settled before next winter; and 
as we have frequently said, there ought to be no diffi- 
culty in framing a satisfactory measure. Our own rule 
has its weak points, which are perfectly well known, and 
therefore it is not likely to be adopted as it stands; but 
a modification of it is so simple that it would be wise to 
use it as a basis. 
This was supposed to be one of its best features when 
the Y. R. A. first adopted it, but since then the Associa- 
tion has not. only forgotten this fact, but has absolutely 
rendered it useless, That, however, will have no effect 
in America, for the Seawanhaka Corinthian Y. C. is not 
composed of ancient mariners, but of yachtsmen who 
know what they want and know how to get it. 
The committee, however, has followed the example 
of the Y. R. A. council in asking for the opinions of in- 
dividuals, but it will probably diverge from the Eng- 
lish method by attaching weight to those opinions now 
that it has received them. A catechism of five questions 
bearing on a change of rule was sent out to various 
qualified yachtsmen, as follows: 
[These questions have already appeared in the Forest 
and Stream.] 
The replies to these questions are somewhat lengthy 
and discursive, but they are published by the club. The 
universal opinion seems to be in favor of a yacht on 
board of which one can live in comfort, and there is 
complete condemnation of the "fast" type known only 
to the Y. R. A. ~ • , 
With regard to taking elements of speed, it is clear 
enough nowadays that whatever element of speed is not 
taxed will run to seed. Every rule known to history 
proves this conclusively, but of late years it has become 
necessary not only to tax dimensions, but the actual 
shape of the yacht, i. e. the shape of midship section 
and profile, in order to produce a "wholesome" type. 
We gather that in America there is a tendency to dis- 
countenance girth measurement, but Mr. Benzon's sys- 
tem of taxing the difference between chain girth and skin 
girth seems to us to be faultless, and should be well 
considered by the Seawanhaka committee before another 
plan is adopted. 
The above comments are very much to the point, far 
more so than the Yachtsman's critique of the Hyslop 
formula, reprinted in the Forest and Stream of July' 
16. We hope that it will yet take up the formula, apart 
from the secondary details of the committee's report, and 
discuss it on its merits as compared with other recent 
propositions. 
While the growth of the racing machine under exist- 
ing rules is the main cause of the existing condition of 
American yachting, it is not the sole one; and we do 
not share the Yachtsman's optimistic anticipations ot a 
speedy revival upon the adoption of a good rule. This 
it is true is the first step, and no revival can come with- 
out it; but at best the measurement rule must be classed 
as negative rather than positive legislation. It is easy 
enough in a way to say to yachtsmen: "You shall not 
build other than good boats"; but it is manifestly impos- 
sible to say to any man: "You must build 
a yacht"; if this were possible the clubs might 
go still further and compel all members to for- 
swear the seductive golf stick and the wily wheel 
and to devote all their spare time and money 
to yacht racing. Unfortunately, the best of the older 
yachtsmen have got out of the habit of building yachts, 
and it is too late for the mere removal of the cause, how- 
ever effectually done, to produce a positive and opposite 
effect. 
The immediate results of the adoption of a new rule, 
even as good a one as can be looked for, will be pre- 
cisely the same as in any important measure of national 
legislation; it will fail to produce an immediate and 
beneficial effect, it will be hastily and superficially judged 
both by its friends and enemies, and the party responsible 
for it will be roundly condemned. 
There is fortunatelv a prospect of a speedy termina- 
tion of the present war, followed by that long-promised 
but often deferred revival of business this fall, and tins 
will greatly aid that reaction which is almost a matter 
of course under any but the most unfavorable conditions 
after the depression which has culminated in the pres- 
ent season. Should events take the favorable course 
now probable, there will be a moderate revival of building 
and racing next season, which will afford a good oppor- 
tunity for a practical test of a new rule in some of the 
classes. At the same time, we have little hope of the 
building up of anything larger than the Si ft single- 
stick class; certainly there is 110 prospect, under any 
circumstances, of a revival of the 90-footer. 
The Yachtsman's suggestion of the adoption of the new 
Benzon formula is, as a definite proposition, very much 
to the point at present; the time has gone by for the 
general discussion of many issues, and the question at 
stake is' as to just what specific formula shall be adopted. 
Mr. Alfred Benzon is a Swedish yachtsman, we be- 
lieve, at least a resident of Copenhagen, who has given 
a great deal of thought and study to- the measurement 
question; and who is interested in the growing system 
of yachting in and about the Baltic. He is the author of 
the formula now used by the German and Scandinavian 
clubs, adopted in 1893 for a period of five years, a 
formula similar to. the present Y. R. A. rule. In view 
of the expiration of the limit of the present rule, Mr. 
Benzon has recently given much time to the measure- 
ment question, and this spring published a veryjnter- 
esting pamphlet, comparing all existing rules, suggest- 
ing a number of possible modifications to meet the new 
conditions of racing design, and also including in his 
comparisons several suggestions such as those of Messrs. 
Herreshoff and Hyslop. 
Mr. Benzon has for some years advocated girth as 
a factor, his existing formula using what is commonly 
called "chain girth," or the girth as measured by a chain 
passed from rail to rail under the keel, at its deepest 
part, when the yacht is afloat. The British Y. R. A. 
rule, on the other hand, uses what is termed "skin girth," 
or the girth measured, when the yacht is ashore, by a 
tape laid close to the skin from side to side. 
Presumably for the reason that neither of these 
methods of using girth has proved effective, Mr. Benzon 
has proposed a new factor, the difference between the 
"skin girth'* and the "chain girth," and he suggests a 
variety of formulas embodying this principle. The one 
formula in particular which he recommends, as does the 
Yachtsman, is as follows 
L.+B.+G.+d.-fX V sX 
In 
this formula G. represents the skin girth measured on 
land from deck to deck, less three times the least free- 
board when the yacht is afloat. The factor d. is the differ- 
ence between the skin girth and the chain girth. 
It is, of course, impossible to discuss a new and 
complicated proposition of this kind offhand, and what 
is worse, Mr. Benzon's pamphlet, of which we have 
just received a copy, is in German. The different types, 
from the skimming dish to the deep and full-bodied cut- 
ter, are shown in the diagrams, and the different formu- 
las, twenty in all. are applied to each type. Unfortunate- 
ly the Hyslop formula is so incorrectly given as to 
make'a comparison with the others worse than useless; 
the formula ascribed to Mr. Herreshoff fares little better. 
The character of Mr. Benzon's work for a better rule 
is such as to demand a careful study before judgment 
is passed upon it: but short of this, the argument against 
the use of girth in any form, as set forth in the Forest 
and Stream of July 9, is a strong one, and is indirectly 
in favor of what we consider the more direct, scientific 
and effective formula proposed by Mr. Hyslop. 
The present time, with the Seawanhaka trial races* 
just concluded and the Montreal races, the A. C. A. 
meet, the Quincy challenge cup races, and other events 
near at hand, gives us very little time to devote to this 
important question, but we shall be glad to give space 
to all who care to discuss it through our columns. 
Eastern Y. C. Open Races. 
Marblchead — Massachusetts Bay. 
Monday, Tuesday, July 25, 26. 
The Eastern Y. C. of Marblehead, concluded a very 
interesting series of three open'rtfees on Tuesday of last 
week, the first of these, on July 23, being reported in our 
previous issue. The. races were open to all yachts of 
the 30ft. and 25ft. classes, Y. R. A. of Massachusetts, the 
raceabout class and the knockabout class. On the first 
day the wind was light S.E., with a little sea, the win- 
ners being Elfreda in the 30ft. class; Cartoon in the 25ft. 
class; Hazard in the raceabout class, and Lorelei in the 
knockabout class. 
On Monday morning Cartoon was measured for the 
first time, and proved to be 6in. over the class limit of 
25ft. l.w.l. Being thus barred from her own class, she 
went up into the 30ft. class, receiving time allowance on 
her actual measurement by Seawanhaka rule, as the 
Eastern Y. C. has not abolished allowance. The courses 
were, for the 30ft. and 25ft. classes, from off Marblehead 
Rock around a buoy off Half-Way Rock, thence around 
the E. Y. C. sea mark and return by same course, thir- 
teen miles naut. The raceabouts and knockabouts sailed 
around the Half-Way mark, two rounds making nine 
miles naut. There was a moderate south wind, lighter 
offshore, and a light chop sea. While the 30-footers 
carried topsails, Cartoon has only the jib and mainsail 
rig. Cartoon made a good start and held first place over 
the first leg, but on the second, with wind and sea head- 
ing her. she dropped to fourth, Handsel being first, fol- 
lowed by Elfreda and Ashumet. After a run under 
spinakers, the order at Half-Way Rock was: Ashumet, 
Handsel, Cartoon, Elfreda. The final times were: 
30ft. Class. 
R. M. 
Cartoon, Howard Parker 29.75 
Handsel, J. R. Hooper 31.9S 
Ashumet, C. F. Bache 38.25 
Elfreda, Hall & Johnson 32.41 
25ft. Class. 
Elapsed. 
Hermes, A. W. Chesterton 2 57 40 
Little Peter, H. Moebs 2 00 22 
Rowena, W. H. Rothwell 3 05 30 
Dragon, C. M. Barker 3 12 58 
Raceabout Class. 
Jilt, W. O. Gay - 1 34 55 
Tunipoo, J. L. Brewer 
Sintram, W. P. Fowle 137 19 
Mongoose, A. D. Irving J d7 4b 
Spindrift, W. H. Lothrop 1 38 24 
Typhoon, E. V. R. Thayer .. 1 39 24 
Hazard, H. M. Sears , 1 39 30 
Gosling, J. O. North 1 39 32 
Snzanee, Frank Brewster 1 <tL U9 
Fancy, C. F. Lyman 1 43 47 
Cockatoo. JC. H. W. Foster ^ 
Chinook, a F. Adams Withdrew. 
Knockabout Class. 
Elapsed. Corrected. 
Lorelei 1 54 17 1 52 17 
p 0 ii v 1 55 10 1 55 10 
GosV -- :: ■ 1 5522 1 5522 
Tenny Wren 1 57 28 1 54 54 
Mayona . 1 57 54 1 56 28 
Solnster -....2 00 04 1 58 38 
Aspenet 2 02 59 1 59 33 
N;£f 2 14 21 2 11 47 
Comet""""""..,,... ^•••■2 15 03 2 11 37 
R°ttT .2 15 33 2 14 07 
Widow t f Withdrew. 
Elapsed. Corrected. 
2 50 14 2 40 29 
2 50 25 2 43 41 
Z 45 10 2 45 10 
2 52 14 2 46 00 
The last race was sailed on July 26, in a light and 
variable wind, with rain. The course for the larger boats 
was around the sea mark and return, going by Half-Way 
Rock and Pigs Buoy each way. The times were: 
30ft. Class. 
R. M. Elapsed. Corrected. 
Ashumet, C. F. Bache 38.25 3 35 07 3 35 07 
Cartoon, H. Parker 29.75 * 3 47 51 3 37 44 
Elfreda, Hall & Johnson 32.41 3 53 27 3 46 58 
Handsel, J. R. Hooper 31.98 4 06 34 3 59 35 
25ft. Class. 
Elapsed. 
Hermes, A. W. Chesterton 4 23 46 
Little Peter, H. Moebs Withdrew. 
Raceabout Class. 
Mongoose, J. D. Irving ,,2 29 53 
Tunipoo, J. L. Brewer 2 29 56 
Fancv, C. F. Lymau 2 30 00 
Spindrift, W. H. -S. Lothrop 2 30 01 
Darthea, E. C. Lambert 2 30 05 
Sintram, W. P. Fowle 2 30 26 
Dafila, W. D. Turner 2 32 33 
Jilt, W. O. Gay s 2 32 34 
Typhoon, E. V. R. Thayer 2 38 40 
Chinook, C. F. Adams 2d 2 38 57 
Cockatoo, C. H. W. Foster 2 39 20 
Suzanne, Frank Brewster 2 39 47 
Hazard, H. M. Sears 2 40 03 
Knockabout Class. 
Elapsed. Corrected. 
Jenny Wren, F. E. Peabody 2 41 35 2 37 57 
Aspenet, H. A. Morse 2 43 22 2 38 31 
Nike, C. A. Cooley 2 43 29 2 39-51 
Carina, T. P. Clark 2 43 30 2 40 40 
Lorelei, "J. S. Cochrane 2 43 34 2 40 44- 
Polly, E. Wadsworth 2 47 17 2 47 17 
Spinster, L. M. Clark 2 51 45 2 49 44 
Water Lily, J. K. Safford 2 52 29 2 50 28 
Tacobin, T. E. Jacobs 2 53 17 2 51 16 
"Widow, T. S. Farlow 3 01 13 2 57 35 
Gossip II., Waldo Haskell Withdrew. 
The winners of the series were: 30ft. class, first day, 
Elfreda, first, $25 and one leg; second day. Cartoon, first, 
$25 and one leg; Handsel, second, $15; third day. Ashu- 
met, first, $25 and leg; Cartoon, second, $15. Twenty- 
five foot class, first day. Cartoon disqualified; Little 
Peter, first, $20 and one leg; Sally IV., second, $T2, 
second day, Hermes, first, $20 and one leg; Lit- 
tle Peter, second, $12; third day, Hermes, first, 
$20 and one leg. Raceabout class, first day, 
Hazard, $20 and one leg; Tunipoo, $12, and 
Spindrift, $8; second day, Jilt, first, $20 and one leg; 
Tunipoo, second, $12. and Sintram, third, $8. Third 
day, Mongoose, first, $20 and one leg; Tunipoo. second, 
$12, and Fancy, third, $8. - Knockabout class, first day, 
Lorelei, first, $20 and one leg; Polly, second, $12, and 
Carina, third, $8; second day, Lorelei, first, $20 and one 
leg; Polly, second, $12, and Gossip, third, $8; third 
day, Jenny Wren, first, $20 and one leg; Aspenet, second. 
$12, and Nike, third, $8. Lorelei is the only boat winning 
a club medal. The Upton cup was not won, a sail-off 
being necessary. 
Saturday proved a poor day for yacht racing, almost 
all the wind being concentrated in one violent thunder 
squall. Only four schooners were present at the line, 
and in the 25ft. class Little Peter" had no competitor, so 
a handicap was arranged between her and Harbinger, 
the latter allowing 4m. The schooners sailed from off 
Marblehead Rock to the sea mark, to Boston Lightship 
and return, 25^ miles naut. The others sailed to the 
Groves, the sea mark and home, 15 miles. The 30ft. 
class was started at 11. '55, the handicap boats at 12:05, 
and the schooners at 12:23. 
The wind was very light from S.W.. and Cartoon, with 
no topsail, was at a disadvantage, doing poorly and fin- 
ally giving up. Near the finish the fleet was overtaken 
by a bad squall, but all came through safely, though the 
judges' tug picked up the crew of the 18-footer Duchess, 
capsized while in another race. The times were: 
Schooners. 
Elapsed. Corrected. 
Loyal, N. C. Nash : 4 56 45 4 54 33 
Hope Leslie, L. Minot 5 02 05 4 57 33 
Adrienne, H. P. Smith 4 58 57 4 58 57 
Frolic, H. H. White Did not finish. 
30ft. Class. 
Meemer, R. C. Nickerson 3 47 50 3 47 50 
Elfreda, B. T. Hall 4 12 06 4 02 00 
Handsel, J. R. Hooper 4 48 00 4 37 19 
Ashumet, C. F. Bache Withdrew. 
Cartoon, H. Parker Withdrew. 
Handicap Class. 
Little Peter. H. Moebs 5 19 06 5 19 06 
Harbinger, W. Bache 5 29 24 5 25 24 
The race commmittee included Messrs. Buck, Clarke, 
Howard and Roberts. 
Manchester J 5ft, Class. 
The 15-footers have taken root at Manchester, Mass,, 
as well as at Squam, and quite a fleet of small racers is 
now at home in the harbor. Mrs. T. Dennie Boardman 
has presented a silver cup, named the Chubb cup, for a 
series of races, the first of which was sailed on July 
26 in a light and fluky south wind, three rounds of the' 
inside course. The times were: 
Elapsed. 
"00," Boardman & Brown 1 57 56 
Freak, C. Fitch 1 58 39 
Phogoette, J. R. Bremer 1 0136 
99, Gerald Boardman 1 01 44 
, E. V. R. Thayer 1 01 45 
Jag, J. A. Lawrence 1 02 42 
10, Boardman & Lewis ...1 02 50 
Witch, Norton Wigglesworth 1 03 02 
Atom, Ames Bros Withdrew. 
Stiletto, R. F. Tucker Withdrew. 
Cohasset Y. C. 
Cohasset, Mass. 
Saturday, July 30. 
The Cohasset Y. C. sailed a race on July 3b in a light 
S.E. wind, only one round being sailed in consequence' 
of a heavy thunder squall. The times were: 
Raceabouts— Start 3:40. 
Finish. 
Delta, R. B. Williams -.4 36 50; 
Monsoon, J. A. Knowles ^ oS ? 
Kid, H. Bigelow 4 38 1 
Nereid, W. R. Sears <t 38 2 
15ft. Class— Start 3:00'. 
Bee, F. W. Clark : • 4 11 00 
Skipjacks— Start 3:05. ■ . < 
Merlin, R. S. Townsend „...Not tim^t 
Marette, D. James t..,. Pm not finisha, 
