G 
THE FIELD. 
[Saturday, 
(and also under sealed orders), so" that on the present 
occasion, owing to the absence of that officer, Mr. \\ dam- 
son read the minutes of the December meeting, which 
wore confirmed, and discharged the other secretarial 
duties of the night. The chairman read the balance- 
sheet of the club for the hist year, by which it appeared 
that a surplus of 260/. 18s. Id- remained in hand, over and 
above 1000/. in consols, thedebtor and creditor account being 
1 16 81. 10s. 3</. against 1429/. 8s. Ad. After the reading of tin- 
report, Mr. Halfhide briefly spoke to its being satisfactory, 
in which all present seemed at once to concur, and there- 
upon moved that the report be received, which being 
seconded by Mr. Perry, was unanimously carried. It 
appeared iii this report that 420/. had been expended in 
prises in the season of 1853. Mr. Wilkinson next read 
the letter of Mr. Aldridge, announcing to the commodore 
and club his resignation as secretary, expressing his regret 
at quitting those from whom he had ever received so much 
kindness and urbanity, returning his warmest thanks, and 
wishing for the continued prosperity of the club. Mr. 
Hutchinson moved that this letter be inserted on the 
minutes, which proposition was seconded and carried. 
Mr. M'Geedy then moved that it be referred to the 
sailing committee to select a new secretary and to make a 
report thereon to the club for their approval. At the 
moment of carrying this resolution, the commodore. Lord 
Alfred Paget, M.P., arrived, upon which Captain Wheeler 
vacated the chair in favour of his lordship. The commodore 
soon afterwards announced to the club that H.R.H. the 
Duke of Brabant had stated to him bow happy he should 
be to enrol himself among the members of the Royal 
Thames Yacht Club, and that he therefore proposed he 
should instantly be elected by acclamation. Mr. Wilkinson 
seconded this motion, which was of course acceded to, a 
result which will be communicated to his Royal Highness 
through the Belgian minister at the Court of St. James's, 
to whom it was intimated the secretary should write on 
the subject ; but as that office is vacant, we presume 
the duty will fall on the commodore. For the annual 
club ball on the 15th (not the 14th) of February 
the following gentlemen were appointed stewards : — ( 
Messrs. Cooke, Coile, Flowers, Hooper, Ford, Howard, 
Tatham, and Wilkinson. This selection was moved by 
Mr. Harvey, and, being seconded by Mr. Mills, carried. 
The remainder of the business of the evening was con- 
fined to the ballot for new members. After which the 
Club spent a few hours together, and then adjourned till 
the first Wednesday in February. The addition of another 
room to the Club suite is a great improvement, and we 
are glad to record that in tiie library a fair sprinkling j 
of books is already observable. A good naval library has 
long been wanted by metropolitan yachtsmen, and we 
have no doubt that the Royal Thames Yacht Club will 
soon collect one. 
LONDON MODBL YACHT CLUB. 
Os Monday evening last, the 86th monthly meeting was 
held in the new Club-room, at the Essex Tavern, Es sex- 
street, Strand, but scarcely a score of the members 
attended, owing to the severity of the weather, or the 
attractive festivities of the season holding elsewhere. 
The meeting, nevertheless, proved an important one. 
The annual election of officers for the present year was 
terminated as follows : — William Tuck well, Esq., owner 
of the Blue-eyed Maid, Commodore ; T. H. Williams, 
Esq., Vice-Commodore; and J. P. Gordon, Esq., Rear- 
Commodore ; William Knight, Esq., was also unanimously 
chosen Standing Counsel. The Honorary Secretary and 
remaining officers were likewise re-elected. The motion 
to class the second class yachts thus ; viz., not exceeding 
twelve feet in length, measuring from forepart of stem 
to afterpart of stern post, was carried unanimously, and 
several members have accordingly laid down keels for 
this especial experimental class during the present week. 
Some hesitation was shown upon the subject of sliding 
keels and shifting ballast, but it was eventually decided 
that no restrictions should be imposed on them. Mr. 
Hunt, proprietor of the “ Yachting Magazine,” attended, 
and presented the second volume of that work, just com- 
pleted, which donation was duly acknowledged from the 
chair. The Club ensign was then unanimously agreed 
upon (subject to Admiralty sanction), viz., that instead of 
the Maltese Cross as hitherto, the device in future be a 
white “ Nautilus,” in full sail, upon a blue ensign, as sug- 
gested by the Honorary Secretary. A vote of thanks to 
the officers of the past year, and the same also to the 
Yachting Editor of “Tin: Field” for his kind insertion of 
the revised Club Rules, at full length, in that paper of the 
24th ult. (both of which propositions were carried with three 
cheers), were succeeded by the nomination of five new 
members (all owners of yachts), and this closed the busi- 
ness of the evening, when after a few songs and nautical 
toasts, the party broke up. 
The Sailing Committee will meet at “ The Essex ” on 
the 30th of January (Monday), and the Club at the same 
place on Monday, the Cth of February. 
Prince of Wales Yacht Club Meeting. — (Friday 
night.) Racing tonnage, by a division of 27 against 10, 
was increased to 12 tons, o.m. 
Botal Mebset Yacht Cu n. — The first meeting of the 
year of this aquatic society took place on Tuesday evening, 
at the Club House, Dukc-street, Liverpool, when four new 
members were admitted by ballot. The secretary brought 
forward a list of the defaulters in tlicir subscriptions for the 
past year. The list was submitted as a matter of form, 
but several of the names in the list arc good, and will be 
paid, reducing the arrear list to a small number. A very- 
ingenious model of a means of communication between 
vessels in heavy weather was submitted by Dr. Sibbald, of 
Liverpool. It consists of a self-inflating balloon of a 
waterproof material, round the centre of which is coiled 
a small rope, which, by being thrown overboard by a 
vessel to windward, will float on the waves and uncoil 
the rope at the same time, driven over the top of the 
waves by the force of the wind, and the vessel to leeward 
can pick it up like an ordinary buoy by means of a boat- 
hook or otherwise. It created a dual of interest, and 
will be a very useful invention. 'There was also sub- 
mitted to the meeting a new method of constructing 
blocks, offering many advantages over the ordinary bushed 
sheeves one now in general use. Several members present 
gave orders for some of these new inventions to the in- 
ventors, who were both present, and explained the nature 
of each article. 
ROWINC. 
New Boat.— O n Monday week, a new pair oared boat 
was launched from the building yard of Mr. Robert Jewett, 
Dunston, for Messrs. Bruce and Winship, for their forth- 
coming contest with Harry Claspcr and another ; they have 
not had a chance of testing her racing capabilities yet, 
owing to the inclemency of the weather, but, as far as can 
be judged from appearances she is considered equal if not 
superior, to any previous effort of her skilful builder. It 
may not be generally known that Bruce and Winship, arc 
the “Bowmidship,” and “ Strokemidship,” of the far 
famed Els wick crew, who have been so successful at all 
the great Northern regattas during the past season. 
CORRESPONDENT. 
Clasper and another v. Bruce and Winship. — This 
match has been postponed by mutual consent from the 
26th of the present month to the 9th of February next, in 
consequence of its being high water at seven o’clock in the 
morning of the first named day, ami in order to allow the 
admirers of aquatics an opportunity of witnessing what is 
expected to be (to use a stable phrase), a neck and neck 
affair. Up to the present time the betting is in favour of 
the Elswick men, G to 4 being laid where it can be “ got 
on,” but the takers are anything but numerous. 
YANKEE ROWINC. 
SOUTH CAROLINA REGATTA CLUB. 
INSTITUTED NOVEMBER, 1852. 
As there is a general desire, says the New York Spirit 
of the Times, among the friends of aquatic sports in the 
North and elsewhere, to know everything relative to “The 
South Carolina Regatta Club,” we take pleasure in laying 
before our readers its constitution and By-Laws, which we 
copy from the Charleston Courier. The following arc the 
officers : — 
lion. John S. Ashe, President. Vice Presidents— Col. 
Wade Hampton, Wm. Seabrook, Hon. J. L. Manning, Elins 
Vanderhorst, W. A. Carson, J. It. Matthewes, W. Izard 
Bull, Charles Alston, Wm. Elliot, J. L. Nowell, Hon. Wm. 
Aiken, Danl. Heyward, James Rose, T. L. Hutchinson; 
Wm. Lawton, Henry Gourdin. Lewis F. Robertson, 
Secretary; B. F. Whilden, Treasurer; Wilmot G. 
De Saussure, Solicitor. Stewards — W. M’R. Parker, 
Win. E. Snowden, J. F. Matthews, L. D. Dc Saussure’ 
II. E. Vincent, E. S. Mikell, W. H. Rivers. 
CONSTITUTION. 
We, the subscribers, for the purpose of improving the 
models of boats and giving a rational amusement to the 
citizens of the State, have associated ourselves as a club, 
under the name of “The South Carolina Regatta Club.” 
1. The officers of this Club shall consist of a president, 
sixteen vice-presidents, a secretary, treasurer, solicitor, and 
seven stewards, who shall he elected annually, by ballot, at 
the last meeting of the club in November. 
2. The president shall preside at all meetings of the Club, 
have full powers to call extra meetings, nnd do all things 
necessary for the good of the Club. 
3. Th a duty of the vice-presideut shall be to preside at 
meetings in the absence of the president, and perform all 
duties appertaining to the office. 
4. The duty of the secretary shall he to advertise and 
attend all meetings, conduct the correspondence, keep the 
minutes, report the races, and all ordinary duties apper- 
taining to such an office; and, in consideration of such 
services, he shall be exempt from payment of the annual 
subscription of membership to this Club. 
5. The duty of the treasurer shall be to collect and give 
receipts for all subscriptions ami moneys that may at any 
time be due to this Club ; to report to a committee of this 
Club, known as the committee of finance, on the first 
night of the Regatta, all moneys collected, all subscriptions 
due, all bills paid, and the expenses of the Regatta at large, 
also all deaths and resignations, and a list of members 
elected since the last annual meeting, and to perform all 
such other matters as appertain to his office. For these 
services he shall be exempt from the annual subscription, 
and receive commissions at the rate of 7$ per cent, on all 
moneys collected by him, without the aid of the solicitor. 
He shall give bond with good security in the sum of two 
thousand dollars. 
6. On the first (lay ot the regatta the treasurer shall 
report to the committee of finance the names of all mem- 
bers who have not paid their subscription of membership, 
and he shall receive from said committee instructions as 
to proceeding to collect the same, and in default the 
treasurer shall be liable for all losses which may arise from 
his neglect. 
7. The duty of the solicitor shall be to put in suit all 
such matters as the Club shall direct, for which duty 
faithfully performed, he shall receive five per cent, on ail 
moneys actually recovered and paid into the treasury, and 
be exempt from annual subscription. 
8. The duty of the stewards shall be to make all neces- 
sary preparations for the annual regatta, issue the pro- 
gramme of the same at least four months before, supervise 
all boats which may enter for the races, measure the same, 
and sec that all things are conducted according to the 
rules of the Club. They shall also provide suitable accom- 
modations for the meetings of this Club. 
9. The president shall annually appoint a starting-judge 
nnd three termination judges, (of whom he shall “ex- 
officio,” be one,) to judge the races; ami no one can act as 
a judge who shall be interested in the race. 
10 . He shall also annually appoint a committee of 
finance, to consist of three members, whose duty shall be 
to inspect the treasurer’s accounts, and make a report on 
the second night of meeting in regatta week. 
11. The starting judge shall start the boats at the proper 
time, and report the time of starting accurately to the 
termination judges, and conjointly with them, report the 
time of running each race, (with any incidents that may 
occur,) to the secretary for insertion in the journals. 
12. All members shall he elected by ballot, and the 
favourable vote of two-thirds of the members present shall 
be necessary for an election. 
13. Every member of the Club shall pay to the treasurer 
the sum of five dollars entrance, and ten dollars for each 
year lie shall continue a member. 
14. In order to make a certainty for the prizes of each 
ensuing year, each member shall give his note for the next 
annual subscription, and if any member shall die his note 
for such subscription shall be cancelled in the presence of 
the Club upon the report of such death by tjjc finance 
committee. 
15. Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum but a 
less number may meet to adjourn from time lo time. 
16 . All resignations shall be in writing, addressed to the 
presiding officers of the Club, and shall not be considered 
unless sent in on the first day of the regatta week, and 
unless all arrearages shall have been discharged. 
17. All extra meetings of the Club shall be called by 
the president, or in his absence, by any of the vice-presi- 
dents, or in absence of these, by a majority of the stewards. 
18. The president, vice-presidents and stewards, or a 
majority of them, are authorised to admit new members 
during a recess of this Club. 
19 . No fundamental rule of this Club shall be altered 
or abolished, except by two thirds of the members present. 
20. The annual regatta shall take place in such week 
in November as the stewards shall decide that the tides 
suit best, publication thereof to be made at least four 
months previous. 
21. The Club shall meet on the Tuesday of regatta 
week, and on every night after until the races arc over, 
including the night of the bust day’s race, when all prizes 
shall be paid over to the successful parties, or their agents 
duly authorised. 
BY-LAWS. 
Any individual or individuals may cuter a boat, and lie 
or they are to receive the purse or its equivalent in plate 
should they win : Provided there he no collusion by run- 
ning the boats for the same purse by parties connected or 
interested with each other. A declaration to this effect is 
to be made openly upon honour to the stewards before 
starting. 
It must take two or more boats owned by different and 
unconnected parties to make a race. 
Boats shall be entered with the stewards by scaled 
entries before 9 o’clock on the evening previous to the 
race for which they are to contend. 
No person shall start more than one boat for either 
purse. Nor shall the owners or persons entering boats for 
the same prize be permitted to run in partnership, under 
the penalty of forfeiting the purse to the owner or person 
entering the boat that shall come in next. 
All boats which start for a race shall come up to the 
judges’ stand, to be reported on by the stewards, and if 
any steersman or oarsman shall cross, jostle, strike, or use 
any foul play whatever, (the judges nnd stewards so ad- 
judging) such steersman shall be prohibited from rowing 
or steering for any of the purses of this Club ; and the 
master, owner, or person employing such steersman or 
oarsman, shall not receive the purse should he win it, but 
the same shall be given to the second boat in the race. 
The boats shall start at -such an hour precisely as the 
stewards shall determine and advertise, on or before the 
morning of the race. 
The judges shall give 15 minutes notice, by a signal, 
before the hour of starting, and such boats as are ready 
slinll not wait for those that are not. 
The judges, together with the stewards, shall settle all 
disputes; and their decision shall be final. 
Gentlemen, residents of this state, shall not be entitled 
to the hospitalities of this Club. 
Annual visitors shall not be considered strangers after 
the first year. 
The governor and suite, lieutenant governor, the judges 
of the state, the officers of the army and navy, and such 
others as the stewards may direct, shall be entitled to in- 
vitations. 
The helmsman in each boat must be white, and the crew 
either wholly white or wholly coloured. 
The Club will annually appropriate, by resolution, a fund 
for the regular regatta purses or prizes. 
The stewards shall be charged with laying out a course 
for the race. 
The distance to be run shall be one mile. 
There shall be five classifications of boats, viz.: 
1. A maximum length of 50 feet, and maximum number 
of oars twelve. 
2. A maximum length of 45 feet, and maximum number 
of oars ten. 
3. A maximum length of 40 feet, and maximum number 
of oars eight. 
4. A maximum length of 35 feet, and maximum number 
of oars six. 
5. A maximum length of 28 feet, and maximum number 
of oars four. 
Entrance for first class 20 dollars. 
Entrance for second class .... 15 ,, 
Entrance for third elass 12 „ 
Entrance for fourth class 10 „ 
Entrance for fifth class 5 „ 
The races will occupy two days, nnd take place in the 
month of November. On the first day, 1st nnd 3rd 
classes, and on the second, classes 2nd, 4th and 5th will 
be run. 
The prizes will be as follows: 
1st race . . 300 dollars I 4th race . . 150 dollars 
2nd race . . 250 „ | 5th race . . 100 „ 
3rd race . . 200 „ 
THE REGATTA AT CHARLESTON, SOUTH 
CAROLINA. 
(From tlie Charleston Daily Courier ; ami the New York Spirit of the. 
Times , Dee. 3.) 
FIRST DAY. 
The elements yesterday were singularly propitious nnd 
seemed to conspire in working together to afford us a 
lovely day for the commencement of our boat-racing 
sports. The day was one of the balmiest and yiildcst we 
have yet had throughout the bright visitation of the Indian 
summer, with which we have for some time been favoured. 
The only possible objection that the most fastidious could 
have found, was on the score of temperature, which, for 
tiie season, was almost too summer-like ; but this was felt 
but in a slight degree, and only by those who were com- 
pelled to stand for some time exposed to the sun’s per- 
suasive beams. It was, in short, a balmy May-day, calm, 
bright and effulgent; the heavens above displayed their 
cloud draperies through a pure and achromatic atmosphere, 
nnd the waters below lay sleeping “like the passions in 
infancy’s breast,” being disturbed only by the ceaseless dip 
nnd splash of the oar. All things were bright and shining 
ns the dental ivory displayed by the sleek and comfortable- 
looking Georgia negroes, who during the preliminaries, were 
parading about over the liny, and occasionally breaking 
out into the melodics with which they have often, no 
doubt, aroused the echoes and the alligators of their own 
rivers. It was evident from the looks of these jolly and 
