April 15, 1905.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
801 
ominously increased. The effect of gybing, we may ex- 
plain to the uninitiated, is to change the cant of a vessel 
from one side to the other. Naturally, then, the guests, 
who had gone to rest Avhen the yacht had an inclination 
of 45 degrees in one direction, suddenly awoke, cross and 
sullen, when they were rolled over in their berths by the 
careening of the yacht to 45 degrees the other way. The 
weather was now exceedingly threatening. The mainsail 
was double reefed for the first time and the vessel put in 
order for a storm. At noon we had run two hundred and 
fifty miles. The southwest wind freshened after noon, 
and at 4 P. M. it blew a regular gale. "The mainsail was 
furled and three .reefs taken in the foresail and the jibs 
taken in. Even with this small spread of canvas the 
yacht was driven nine miles an hour. On deck the rain 
and spray shut in the vessel like a watery curtain. Below 
the pitching and tossing rendered it impossible to sleep. 
A bucket of water was placed near the stove to ex- 
tinguish the fire should the necessity arise. The dead 
lights leaked unexpectedly and uncomfortably. Holes 
were bored in the stateroom floors to let out water 
should the skylight be broken in. The servants were 
dashed about the cabins as if shot from invincible cata- 
pults. The guests had enough to do to hold themselves 
inside their berths. Under these circumstances, which 
would have delighted Mark Tapley, everybody became 
again good humored. Just at midnight the struggling 
yacht was struck by a tremendous sea that burst over 
the quarter, struck full upon the foresail, and then fell 
heavily upon the deck, staving in the yacht's boat. Simul- 
taneously the carpenter rushed wildly into the cabin, pale 
with alarm, and shouted, "Mr. Bennett, we must heave 
her to; she is opening forward, sir!" With great good 
sense nobody stirred save Mr. Bennett, who quietly in- 
formed Captain Samuels of the carpenter's report. As 
quietly the Captain came down from the deck and exam- 
ined the supposed leak, which turned out tO' be nothing 
but the bilge water oozing through the line-planking near 
the cook's berth. The gale strengthened, however, and 
at last the Captain decided that the Henrietta could be 
driven no longer. Preparations were made to heave to, 
which is simply laying the ship head to the wind under 
close canvas, so that she rides as if at anchor. The storm 
trysails happened to be stored in the cabin, and as the 
sailors came silently down, oiled the tackle and carried 
the sail upon the deck, the scene reminded one of the 
bringing forth of the pall for a funeral. A pause in a 
race like this seemed the burial of all our hopes. Never- 
theless it was some consolation to be informed by Cap- 
tain Samuels that in his thirty years' experience he had 
never seen a vessel that could face such a gale so long, 
and it was c'naritable to hope that our rivals were having 
better weather than ourselves. Once hove to, the yacht 
rocked lazily and pleasantly; the waves rushed and the 
winds howled past, but did not disturb her. 
Before noon the next day (December 19) the wind had 
lulled, and the ship again started off briskly, as if rested 
and refreshed. Everybody now changed his attire, and 
for once an old superstition proved true, for the wind 
shifted to the north and west again. The sun shone 
pleasantly, but the sea was still running high ; the waves, 
blown about like the sandhills of a desert, disclosing 
strange nurages of tents and sails, as they revealed strips 
of the horizon here and there. We made our shortest 
distance on this stormy day, gaining only 153 miles. At 
3 P. M. we were going fifteen knots, and kept up this, 
pace for several hours. In the evening we sailed calmly 
in the mellow moonlight that marked our track before us 
with its sheen; the cabin fire was allowed to die out and 
overcoats were discarded. The seas rose on either side 
like walls, and the yacht ran swiftly between them at the 
rate of thirteen knots an hour. There could have been 
no stronger contrast to the incidents of the previous 
night. Sailing at the same pace next morning, we scored 
260 miles by noon. The clouds moving in a grand pro- 
cession from east to west, and forming in solid masses be- 
hind us, promised a continuance of the fair wind. At 3 
P. M. we passed the steamer Louisiana, bound west, 
making out her name from Maryatt's signal flags. That 
night everything was cheering, the yachtsmen sang 
lustily in the -cabin, arid the sailors answered as lustilj 
from the forecastle; the captain turned in for the first 
time since our start; but nothing is so variable as the 
weather. By i o'clock the next morning there was a 
dead calm, and we came on deck after breakfast to find 
a warm summer day. The yacht was scarcely moving- 
through the water, the sails hung drooping from the yards, 
the ocean was perfectly smooth ; the stillness was re- 
markable ; there was no ripple of the waves, no rustling 
of the sails. Of course another superstitious change of 
the toilette ensued. One of the servants was discovered 
to be a profesional barber, and a shaving shop was im- 
provised, everybody contributing oils, pomatum and per- 
fumery. There was general "rejuvenation." Those who 
had not shaven for ten days came out from the barber"s 
hands as from a disguise. Bits of unsuspected finer}-, 
such as neckties and scarf-pins, were displayed. One 
would have thought it was a gala day; but, in truth, 
nothing could have been worse for us than this calm ; 
v/elccme even another gale, so that it came from the west. 
All this mummery was again effectual; about 11 A. M. 
a fine lireeze sprung up from the south, and under full 
canvas, all the sails drawing well, the Henrietta cut her 
way through the calm ocean. The cabin was too warm 
for comfort, and the yachtsmen reclined on deck like 
turtles in the sun. A school of porpoises passed the ship, 
and the second mate started a legend which I cannot but 
believe that the yacht was going so fast as to strike one 
of the fish and cut it in two. Better evidence of her 
speed is to be found in her log, which records that she 
sailed one hundred and fifty-seven miles that day, despite 
the time lost by the calm. By night we were making 
eleven knots, with everything as snug and trim as on the 
first day out. 
A soft balmy morning succeeded, and we were roused 
up at sunrise to salute a Bremen steamer that dipped her 
colors as she passed. The yacht now ran easily, like a 
machine, rolling up two hundred and fifty-two miles by 
noonday; at 3 P. M. we fell in with a Scotch mist, in the 
midst of it we spoke the packet ship Philadelphia, eleven 
days out from Liverpool. The captain of the Philadelphia 
doubly encouraged us by reporting that he had heard 
nothing of the other yachts, and that the winds were 
westerly. 
The next day, Sunday, December 23, we logged one 
hundred and ninety-six miles. There was a brief calm 
at daybreak, followed by light southeast winds. At 
noon divine service was held in the cabin. The wind 
gradually rose during the afternoon, and, as usual, in the 
evening the good yacht rallied splendidly, increasing her 
progress rapidly from seven knots up to twelve, at which 
rate she was dashing along as the moon rose, blood red, 
in the hazy English sky. 
The excitement in regard to the race now reached 
fever heat. All jokes and stories became stale, and noth- 
ing was talked of but yachts and time and wind, and the 
probabilities and possibilities of the contest. In every 
distant vessel we saw a Fleetwing; every star near the 
horizon was transformed into the Vesta's signal light. 
At 8 P. M. we were on soundings ; at 12, midnight, off 
Cape Clear. Thus the next morning, December 24, found 
us in the chops of tlie Channel, hoping to eat our Christ- 
mas dinner at Cowes. It was a murky, foggy, dark, 
damp, disagreeable morning, and even at noon it was 
impossible to take a solar observation; but by dead 
reckoning we had made one hundred and seventy-two 
miles. The carpenter who had given us one sensation 
by discovering a spurious leak, now treated us to another 
by announcing that the Fleetwing was in sight. Every- 
body clambered on deck. Binocular glasses, eye-glasses, 
spectacles and telescopes were brought to bear upon the 
imaginary yacht, which was soon made out to be an Eng- 
lish topsail schooner bound the other way. Indignation 
followed excitement, and both quickly merged into a 
hearty laugh. Nearing the land of Christmas carols 
and Dickens upon Chistm.as Eve, it was impossible to go 
to rest. After a very late dinner we had our Christmas 
songs and stories ; among the former was a ditty com- 
posed in honor of the Henrietta, and sung to the familiar 
air of "Sweet Evelina." While these festivities were in 
progress we had made the Scilly Island lights at 7 :45 
P. M. The current drifting us to leeward, we steered 
S.S.E. for an offing, and passed the islands handsomely, 
having made no tack since we left New York, and having 
varied only eleven miles from the straight line between 
the two points. So admirable a landfall reflected great 
credit upon Captain Samuels. At 3 o'clock A. M. we 
passed Lizard light, going thirteen knots an hour steadily, 
the Plenrietta, like a well jockeyed racehorse, reserving 
her best pace for the finish. Running close in to the bold 
coast, we sighted the Eddystone, Start Point and Port- 
land Hill, and at 12 :ao P. M. on Christmas Day took on 
board a Cowes pilot. A heartier cheer never rent the air 
than that which greeted the pilot's announcement that no 
other American yacht had passed up the channel. The 
race seemed won, and a sudden blaze of sunshine lit up 
the chalk cliffs of Old England in silvery glory. It was 
like an illumination of welcome. Under every stitch of 
canvas, with even her staysail set, and with her racing 
flag and yacht club ensign proudly floating on the stiff 
breeze, the Henrietta dashed by the Needles, and Messrs. 
Jerome and Knapp, the judges for the Fleetwing and 
Vesta, deciding that all the conditions of the race had 
been strictly complied with, down went the racing flag 
and the private signal of Mr. Bennett took its place. As 
the yacht turned up the channel to Cowes and land shut 
out the wind, and like one who had finished a long and 
toilsome task, the brave little yacht slackened her speed 
and floated leisurely along. Her blue lights and rockets 
announced her arrival here, after having crossed the At- 
lantic to the Isle of Wight in the unprecedented time of 
13 days, 2 hours and 6 minutes mean time, and that with- 
out having carried away any of her light sails or spars, 
or even so much as a sirred of canvas or strand of rope. 
As she dropped her anchor she was cheered from the 
Royal Yacht Club house and by the people of Cowes. 
Captain Luard, of Her Majesty's ship Hector, by direc- 
tion of the Admiralty, at once sent a midshipman on 
board to offer Mr. Bennett the facilities of Her Majesty's 
dock yard at Portsmouth for repairing any damages the 
yacht might have sustained. But this offer was gratefully 
declined, since no repairs were needed. And thus the 
winners of the blue ribbon of the ocean Derby enjoyed 
their Christmas dinner in Merrie England, and toasted 
the Queen, the President and the FTenrietta. 
Captain Simuels' Log of Hinrietta. 
From the New York Herald, Jan. 12, 186T. 
Wednesday. Dec. 12. — We here begin our sea account 
at I P. M., Wednesday (or civil time i P. M., Tuesday), 
at which time we squared away at a signal given from 
yacht club boat, in company with Fleetwing and Vesta, 
from the buoy off the bar. Twenty steamer tugs es- 
corted us to lightship, which we were the first yacht 
to pass, at 1:30, the Fleetwing bearing N.N.E., the 
Vesta N.N.EbyJ^E. At 2:30 P. M., all canvas set; 
at 2:45, lost the Highlands of Navesink; at 2:45, parted 
with the tug Philip, the Fleetwing bearing the same, 
and the Vesta about half a mile ahead. At 6 P. M., 
came alongside and passed Vesta; were compelled to 
shift our course several times to shake her off, she 
annoying us very much by keeping so close to us. 
Wind strong and heavy. Lost Vesta at 8 P. M., in the 
dark. Midnight, wind hauled to the W. with heavy 
squalls; gybed ship at 4 A. M., very heavy squalls 
with sleet and snow; all canvas, set; day breaks dark 
and lowering with appearances of northerly wind; wind 
freshening, and in the squalls blowing hard; at noon 
ship running under mainsail, foresail, jib and flying jib, 
light as a bottle and buoyant as a cork. Dark clouds 
on horizon from N. to W., with every prospect of a 
gale. Distance run, 225 miles by observation, 237 miles 
by log. 
Thursday. Dec. 13. — Strong breezes and squally 
weather. At 4:15 passed steamer bound west, supposed 
to be the Cuba; hoisted racing flag and steamer showed 
her colors. This steamer will probably' carry first news 
of the yachts to New York. At 9:30 P. M., passed 
another steamer bound west; showed our rockets and 
blue lights, to which she replied. At 10 P. M., wind 
increasing; took in, topsails and flying jib. At 12, 
double reefed mainsail. At 4 A. M., set flying jib; heavy 
snow squalls. At 6 A. weather more settled; let 
reefs out of mainsail yards and stowed it to wdndv/ard. 
Noon,' set gaff topsails; wind hauling to eastward; 
barometer steady at 30; experienced a current to 
W.S.W. of 22 miles; everything easy and comfortable; 
distance run 210 miles by observation, 232 by log. 
Friday, Dec. 14. — Moderate breeze from N. and B, 
At 2 P. M., set topsails and main topmast staysail. At 
8 P. M., hauled them again; squally. From 8 to 4 took 
in and set light sails several times. Midnight, strong 
breeze and squally with snow. At 3 A. M., blowing 
hard, furled flying jib. At 5 A. ,.M., moderating, set 
flying jib. At 6 A. M., set aiMlght sails, weather dark 
and heavy in S. W. Noon, cloudy weather; moderate; 
lat., by indifferent obs., 4.56, long. 60.32; distance run, 
203; barometer, 29.50. 
Saturday, Dec. 15. — First part of day moderate breeze 
and cloudy weather. At 7 P. M., wind freshening; 
took in fore topsail and main topmast staysail. During 
the night very squally- — up and down with topsails and 
staysails as weather required. At 6 A. M., blowing 
hard, handed all light sails. Day breaks dark and 
cloudy, with heavy hail and snow squalls. Ship fairly 
dancing over the water often at the rate of 13 knots. 
At 12 A. M., weather moderate, fine clear sky, passing 
clouds, wind N.N.E., as usual; sea pretty smooth; 
everything as trim and comfortable as on shore. 
Sunday, Dec. 16.— These twenty-four hours we have 
had strong northerly winds, with violent squalls and 
spits of snow. At .4 P. M., took in topsails, staysails 
and flying jib. At 8 P. M., blowing heavy, double reefed 
foresail and mainsail, and took bonnet off the jib. Ship 
running across the seas and behaving- well. At 6 P. 
M., passed close under stern of a brig steering to 
southward under double reefed topsails and reefed 
foresail. Noon, sky overcast; no observation; very 
high sea from northward; weather a little more mod- 
erate, let reef out of foresail, barometer 29.70. Every- 
body on board well and hearty. Distance run, 246 
miles — over one-third of the distance across in fifth 
day out. 
Monday, Dec. 17. — Strong northerly breezes, with 
heavy squalls. At 2 P. M. (Sunday), Divine service 
in the cabin, reading of prayers and lesson for the 
day, and one of Jay's sermons. Midnight, blowing 
hard, ship running in the trough of the sea and fairly 
burying herself. This is yachting in earnest. Double 
reefed foresails; passing snow squalls throughout the 
night. 4 A. M., let reefs out of foresail. Noon, let 
reef otit of mainsail; weather more moderate; set the 
flying jib; barometer 30.10- distance run; by observa- 
tion, 280, the best run yet; off the Grand Banks and 
off soundings; everything trim and snug. 
Tuesday, Dec. 18.— One week out. At 6 A. M., we 
were half way to Cowes. This is at the rate of a 
thirteen days', four hours' trip across, being six days, 
fourteen hours mean time. Day began with strong 
breeze and heavy cross sea. At 4 P. M., wind moder- 
ating, let reef out of foresail.' At midnight, wind in- 
creasing, set squaresail with bonnet off; high seas and 
heavy wind; weather very dark and cloudy. At 5 
o'clock wind lulled, and hauled to the southward and 
eastward; gybed ship, and set whole squaresail and let 
out all reefs. Noon, dark, with very threatening ap- 
pearances to S.W.; reefed mainsail and furled square- 
sail and flying jib; no observation; distance, by log, 
250 rniles; ship in perfect- order, and all hands in best 
of spirits and Condition. 
Wednesday, Dec. 19.— First part of the day fresh 
gales. At .3 P. M., double reefed sails and took bonnet 
off jib. At 6 P. M., gale increasing, close reefed sails 
and furled mainsail. Second part, blowing very heavily, 
with high toppling seas. At 8:40 boarded by very 
heavy seas, completely burying us, filling the foresail 
and stavmg the boat; the little craft fairly staggered 
and stramed. Heaved to under storm trysail. How 
hard to lay to in such a race; but few ships in my 
thirty years' experience could run in the trough of the 
sea so long as the little plaything did. Well may her 
owner feel proud of her. At 11 P. M., the sky cleared; 
the moon shone out beautifully the rest of the night. 
Third part, moderating. At 5 A. M., nearly calm; sky 
became overcast from S. W., with dull lightning from 
S.toW. At 6 A. M., set single reef foresail and jibs. 
At 9 A. M., freshening wind, ship beginning to step 
off agam, set squaresail. Sea still running very high. 
During the blow, barometer fell from 30.10 to 29.30. at 
which it stands at noon. Wind is hauling westward, 
with fair prospect of second edition of last night's 
performance, but from the westward. 
Thursday, Dec. 20.— Throughout these twenty-four 
hours strong westerly winds and squally weather. At 
2 P. M., put bonnet on squaresail; 4 P. M., let reef out 
of foresail. From 6 to 8, very squally; ship going as 
fast as 14 knots during the squalls. At i A. M.. wind 
canted to N. and W. Gybed ship. Day ends with 
alternate showers and sunshine; wind and sea moderat- 
ing; barometer rising— 30.05. Distance,- by log, 267 
miles, by observation 260. 
Friday, Dec. 21.— Commences with a stiff breeze and 
heavy swell from N.W. At 8 P. M., set . mainsail ; at 
3:30, signalled steamship Louisiana bound west. At 9, 
set j;opsail and main topmast staysail from 4 to 5 A. M. 
At 6, took a light breeze from southward; weather clear, 
warm and pleasant. Noon, day ends with fine summer 
weather; passed immense shoals of porpoises. Dis- 
tance run 163 by log, 157 by observation; barometer 
30.45- Everybody on deck, like turtles in the sun. 
Saturday, Dec. 22.— Throughout these tiventv-four 
hours northerly wind dark and cloudy weather' with 
sharp flaws warm and pleasant, At 7 A, M., signalled 
Bremen steamer bound westward; all light sails set, 
and everything working beautifully. As we near the 
end of the race the excitement becomes more and 
more intense; but the wind and weather are all that 
could be desired. Distance run 252 miles; no ' good 
observation. Barometer 30.40. 
Sunday, Dec. 23, began with steady wind and smooth 
sea, light southerly wind, followed by occasional passing 
fog bank. At 3 P. M., spoke the Philadelphia, from 
Liverpool, bound west; reported light westerly winds- 
pleasant sunshiny Sunday; everybody on deck with 
camp stools. Barometer 30.40. 
Monday, Dec. 24.— First part of day clear and pleas- 
and— service at i . o'clock in the cabin, reading of ser- 
mon, prayers and lesson for the day. Middle part 
beautifully, moonlight night. Latter part, dark cloudy 
and squally weather. Hauled the yacht south'ward of 
her course to forestay this wind; 9 A. M., took in top- 
sails and flying jib; yacht pitching heavily in high head 
