94 
[Jan. 30, 1904. 
sumes_ that she wants "strong winds" in order to use 
her big sails! There was an Irishman who on his 
first voyage expected the captain to reduce sail when 
the wind fell light. "With so little wind," he argued, 
"not much sail is needed to catch it." Perhaps this 
man eventually became rich enoug];i to keep a yacht 
and join a club. There are some things in the rules 
that suggest that he was a member of a comniittee 
on measurement. 
In practice it is frankly admitted that existing al- 
lowances are too small. Every designer understands 
that it is more blessed to give than to receive— time. 
Every yacht owner ' wants the biggest yacht' in the 
class. The application of a correct time scale would.; 
"do away with many existing abuses. No new principle- 
is involved; no complicated measurements— merely 
the courageous application of the principle which has 
been admitted as the basis of time allowance for a 
•quarter of a century. The remarkable thing is that the 
subject has not received attention before.. It is fair 
to assume that the original time scale was tentative- 
and experimental, and that it would be revised from 
time to time, in accordance with the actual results of 
practice. The 50 per cent, arrangement has become 
fixed, and its faults attributed to something else. If 
elapsed time were taken as the basis, present allow- 
ances would be doubled, even in strong winds, and 
perhaps quadrupled in light weather. 
; The suggestion made by Mr. Lawton that the pres- 
ent scale could be used, is very good, but it would, 
be simpler to compile a new table based on time alone. 
A yacht of large size could be taken as a standard' 
of elapsed time expressed as unity. Thus if L rep- 
resents the large yacht, L — x represents a smaller yacht ;: 
then the formula -y-^ ^ gives the relative elapsed' 
tirne for the smaller yacht. This divided into her actual- 
elapsed time, gives her corrected time. A table of 
relative elapsed time for every size of yacht, with the 
logarithm of each number printed in a parallel col- 
umn, Vould be useful. 
The present tables of time allowance — on a 50 per 
cent, basis — assume that the speed of each yacht is 
equal to twice the square root of her length. 
To use them on a purely time basis, I think it would' 
be necessary to take the difference for one mile atid. 
rnultiply it by twice the square root of the largest yacht; 
or scratch boat. This would give the allowance per 
hqUr of elapsed time, and would be multiplied by the: 
actual elapsed time of a race. 
In practice I think the elapsed time "of the" first yacht; 
to fiiiish in her class could be taken as the standard, 
arid for convenience in working it might be expressed, 
in hours and tenths, every six' minutes- being a tenth, 
and the nearest tenth being used. Thus, for an elapsed': 
time of 3 hours 19 minutes, 3.3 would be used as a. 
multiplier of the allowance per hour. This work 
would be no more tedious than the present method of 
multiplying by the distance sailed. 
One of the first effects of the proposed system would', 
be to check the extravagant growth of sail plans on a. 
given length. • The same end has been attained by 
classification by corrected length; but this plan has. 
not come into very common use, and its sudden intro- 
duction always disarranges existing classes. It might 
he found that a proper assessment of large sail areas 
would lead to the use of moderate rigs, which in turn 
would modify many of the extreme features of design 
in general. The adoption of a just time scale is a most 
proper and reasonable expedient, which can be instant- 
ly put into practice, and a trial, even in a few races, 
might develop important and unexpected results. 
Wm. Q. Phillips. 
Sachem's Head Y. C. 
BY W. E. PECK, COMMODORE SACHEM's HEAD Y. C. 
About fifteen miles east of New Haven lies a rocky 
projection named Sachem's Head. It is a romantic spot,, 
where in 1837, according to history, the chief of the 
Pequots was beheaded by Uncas, the chief of the Narra- 
gansetts. At the same time the entire band of Pequot* 
was exterminated on the present bathing beach, known 
ever since as Bloody Cove. According to tradition, the 
Narragansetts left the head of the dead Sachem mounted; 
on the top of a pole fixed in the rocks, and hence the: 
name "Sachem's Head." 
About ten miles east the promontory of Hammonassett 
stretches its emerald crest far out into the bosom of the 
sea, while two miles to the west lie the romantic and pic- 
turesque Thimble Islands. Until about 1865, when it was. 
destroyed by fire, a large hotel stood at Sachem's Head,, 
with accommodations for some 500 guests, who were 
brought to the hotel either by steamboat or tally-ho. 
coach from New Haven, and later, after the completioti 
of the Shore Line Railroad by omnibus from Guilford. 
After the destruction of the hotel there were no accom- 
modations for summer guests excepting in the few farm- 
houses scattered about the Head until the erection of the 
Saphem's Head House in the summer of 1878. Within a 
few years from 1878 some forty cottages, quite simple 
and inexpensive, were built, and in later years many o£ 
these' have been enlarged or supplanted by summer homes 
of a more pretentious type, and new sites have been occu- 
pied, until the visitor driving from the station through 
the woods suddenly has a bird's eye view of a crescent- 
shaped, village almost surrounded by water, and an un- 
obstructed view of the Sound stretching east arid west 
as far as the eye can see, and south, for twenty-two 
miles to the bold sand shores of Long Island. 
The growth of cottages naturally attracted - suriamer 
residents who were desirous of sailing and fishing, the 
type of boat mostly used being what is known as the 
Connecticut River drag net sloop. It was but natural 
that the owners of these boats should race them home 
from the fishing ground, or meet in impromptu races on 
a pleasant afternoon. These freqipnt brushes \n the 
waters about Sachem's Head and tne Thimble Islands 
wererso productive of interest and good fellowship that a. 
yacht club resulted. The club was organized in ?S96^by' 
four summer residents "for the purpose of ericQuraging 
the: Connecticut River type of sloop and holding a regatt-a," 
€3e|i Laljor l^ay-" Sq 1^^^" was the interest .^^owft 
the first season's racing that at the first annual meeting, 
held on the porch of one of the cottages, on September 
6, a -committee was appointed to draft a constitution for 
adoption in-place of the existing articles of the associa- 
tion, and later on a building committee was appointed. 
Owing to the genius and indefatigable work of Mr. E. 
C. Seward,"the club's first fleet captain, the small island 
known as. "Chimney Corner" was purchased, largely on 
faith, and a pretty club house was completed and ready 
for occupancy on the opening of the club season, June 
18,. 1898. During the same winter another committee de- 
vised a uniform , and cap device, which, with only slight 
changes, have been adhered to since the season of 1898. 
Captain Oliver N. Brooks, of Guilford, keeper of the 
lighthouse on Faulkner's Island from 1851 until 1882, be- 
came the first superintendent of the club house. 
The Shore Line Times of June 24, 1898, contained the 
following description of the club house: 
"The building is located on a large rock known as 
Chimney Corner at the extreme western end of Sachem's 
thanks in behalf of the club, and at 12 M. the opening 
gun was hred, and the club pennant run up to the mast- 
bead by tint old. veteran, Captain O. N. Brooks, amid 
hearty cheers." 
The season of 1898 was, ,so:..S'Uccessful that an addition 
was erected during the spring oi 1899, containing a dining 
room and 'kitchen. lu the spin'ng of 1900 a boat house . 
was erected, equipped with lockers, toilet and dressing 
rooms, and other conveniences besides a work bench for 
repairs. This building has been most serviceable to club 
members. Irjt it was the only building erected where 
the building committee were not foresighted enough to 
erect a building large enough for the requirements of. 
future years. 
On January 8, 1901, the executive committee decided 
to have a dinner at the Arena in New York, in order that 
the club members in that vicinity might meet together 
socially and discuss the question of asking the corpora- 
tion to erect a new building for sleeping accommodations 
for members and their guests. The meeting was appointed 
Sachem's Head Y. C. House, Chimney Corner, Sachem's Head, Conn. 
'1\ 
Head, and is one of the finest locations for the purpose 
along the Connecticut shore, as it has deep water all 
about, and in the bay is deep, safe, and sufficient anchor- 
age for a fleet of the largest yachts. After the formation 
of the club the desirable advantages presented by this 
location inspired the thought among many of the- yachts 
men that a club house would greatly add to the interests 
of the club and the attractiveness of this popular resort. 
'With this- end in view six of the wealthy gentlemen of 
the club associated themselves into a corporation with 
the result that Chimney Corner was purchased, and the 
new club house erected and furinshed and a bridge and 
(lock constructed, resulting in a rendezvous which is a 
monument to the aforesaid gentlemen's progressiveness 
and generosity. The house and grounds are to be leased 
to the club at a nominal annual rental sufficient to cover 
interest for the expenditure. 
"The building is very attractive. The interior consists 
of one room 25 by 40 feet and surrounded by a veranda 
10 feet wide with a clear view of the water from all 
sides. The interior is furnished with comfortable chairs 
and small lunch or card tables. In one corner of the 
for January 26, 1901, and twenty-four members were 
present. The consensus of opinion as expressed indicated 
that the members present were ready for such a building, 
and plans were immediately drawn for a new structure, 
which was ready for occupancy on the opening day in 
June. Now there are ten bed-rooms at the disposal of 
the members and their guests, and each room commands 
a pleasant marine view and each is tastefully furnished, 
while the new dining room is commodious and cheerful. 
Although the club house has been built piece-meal, the 
edifice on the whole is a pleasing one, and most admirably 
adapted for the purpose for which it was erected. 
RACING. 
The Sachem's Head Y. C. has earned the reputation of 
being one of the sportiest clubs on Long Island, as there 
has been a series of six club races each season in addi- 
tion to the ladies' race and the annual open regatta. No 
sort of weather has interfered with the starts, the cap- 
tains having always shown themselves ready to face a 
threatened calm or raging tempests. Each year an in- 
creased number of racing boats have been attracted to 
Harbor of Sachem's Head. 
room is a large sideboard of black oak of antique design. 
Upon this is a complete tea service for the use of the 
ladies of the club who will hold afternoon teas occasion- 
ally during the season. 
"In the center of the room is a heavy oak writing 
table with chairs to match- and a supply of writing 
material; 
"At the south end of the room is an elevated stage 
8 by 10 feet, upon which is a piano. On the 
east side is a large open fire-place and chimney, the 
fire-place being about 3 by 8 feet and constructed of 
cobble stones in the rough. Large double doors provide 
exit from the sides and large airy windows look out 
upon the sea. 
"The reading table will be provided with several daily 
papers, also weekly illustrated and sporting periodicals. 
"The house and grounds will be open to members from 
8 A. M. to .10:30 P. M. No games of chance will be per- 
mil;ted on the premises. Religious services will be held 
in the club room whenever application is made through 
the committee, when the chu^-ch pennant will be displayed 
from the.^masthead. 
"There-4|;a dock 35 feet long and 6 feet wide for the 
accommodation of yachts and small boats, with a depth of 
water of -five feet at low ebb. 
"When ,the hour arrived for formally placing the house 
in ■ commission, those present gathered on the western' 
veranda, ".and interesting rernarks, flavored with humor, 
were macjfi -by V'ice-Gonimodore John Elton Wayland, of 
New Yoft:, whOj in behalf of the, corporation, , fofm.ally , 
turned : over , to ,€0maiod6re. A, A.,':Hull,i-- the. house, ari,d.', 
igroimds for the use of the cltjb. Commodore HulljJri. a', 
few weU'^h(?.?e^ . reftlayks,, ^c^ented thepi with minj 
Sachem's Head, and a generous number of prizes have 
been provided and promptly awarded. In the first club 
race on July 5, 1897, twelve yachts competed, and in the 
first annual regatta on September 6, 1897, , there were 
seventeen entries, the yachts competing in five different 
classes. In the first races the yachts that competed were 
of a nondescript class, so much so that it took a mathe- 
matical expert to figure out the time allowances, but 
the tendency of late has been towards one-design 
racing, and during the past season nine of the original 
Seawanhaka knockabouts owned by club members com- 
peted in the club races; another class being the Sachem's 
Head one-design knockabouts, having a 17-foot water- 
line and a sail area of 360 square feet. This class was 
designed and built in 1902 by Wyckoff Brothers, of Clin- 
ton, Conn., and the class has been quite successful. 
The captains have been very neighborly, and have not 
otily competed every year in the races, of the New Haven 
Y. C, Pequot Association, and Hartford Y. C, but they 
have occasionally gone further , west and competed at 
Bridgeport and Port Washington. In September, 190.2, 
the club sent a. team .of five' Seawanhaka knockabouts to 
Oyster Bay to contest for a. $100. cup put up jointly by 
the Sachern's . Head and the Seawanhaka-Corinthian Y, 
C.'s, The Sachem's Head Club suffered rather a bad 
defeat, owing largely to inexperience in team work and 
lack of knowledge of action of tides and currents in these 
strange waters. It is to be regretted^ that a return race 
could not. Iiave been sailed in the- waters off Sachem's 
Head, as the experience of the Gaptains at Oyster Bay- 
.was , most valuable. . . . - . ■ ■■' ; ; - 
; : The racing spirit , of ' the Sachem's Head captains is 
shown by the .feet tJiat to compete at ; &ayt)reo|s in, tl^^ 
