Chapter XI: Yacht Racing in 1893 (2)

Ill fortune has of late haunted each annual Saturday fixture of the Royal Southampton Club, and that of August 5, instead of attracting the fleet of heavy weights, was reduced to a match between the 'Navahoe' and 'Calluna.' The 'Britannia' had her new mast in, but was not ready, 'Satanita' was getting a strengthening band shrunk on her masthead, and 'Valkyrie,' which had come across from Cowes to Southampton Water, did not start, fearing there would be too much wind for her sprung main-boom. A north-wester came shooting down Southampton Water fresh enough for 'Navahoe's' small reef to be pulled down, 'Calluna,' however, had whole mainsail and both jibheaders. The Scotch clipper was unluckily sailed through the line too soon, and the 'Navahoe' got two minutes start; but 'Calluna' bringing quite a rattle of wind, nearly nailed her rival at Calshot Spit. The breeze got light in the west channel and came bare, while the tide had to be stemmed. 'Navahoe' kept sailing into the first of the wind, and, getting a fine lift near the Lymington Mark, led by 3 mins. 'Calluna' was sailed without heart or judgment in the run up the west channel, and so on to the Warner. She might well have carried her jackyard topsail going west, and certainly wanted it, coming back with sheets off. 'Calluna' was gybed in Cowes Roads for some reason; and while her opponent was running clean with boom the other side, the Scotch boat was 'by the lee.' 'Navahoe' at length was first to shift her big topsail, and had 6 mins. lead at the time, but when 'Calluna' did go to work sail shifting, it took her crew eighteen minutes to get down the jibheaded topsail and replace it with jackyarder. In the beat from the Warner up past Browndown there were some flukes lying under the north shore which might have been picked up for the seeking, and 'Calluna's' poor attempt at match sailing ended by 'Navahoe' weathering the line off Netley with a lead of 11 mins. 25 secs.

The racing fleet mustered in force on the Royal Albert Station, and cruisers swarmed thick as bees to do honour to the last of the Solent racing fixtures. A light gauzy haze in the early morning of Monday, August 14, did not bode well for sport, but an air came just before the starting hour for the Albert Cup, and stretched out the fighting flags of 'Britannia,' 'Navahoe,' 'Calluna,' and 'Satanita.' A south-east breeze of about weight enough for small jib-topsails to be carried with profit to windward was drawing in against the last of the east-going stream, when an eventful race commenced with 'Satanita's' bowsprit end showing first across the line; the others were close at hand, and a pretty start was made.

1892.]

The wind freshened at night after Weymouth Regatta, and on Sunday morning there was an ugly sea off the Bill. The yachts which made the passage to Torquay had a coarse time, some of them ran back, others did not leave the Dorset port, the consequence being that there was a poor muster in Torbay. The 'Satanita,' 'Navahoe,' 'Britannia,' and 'Calluna' were ready to answer the starting gun on Monday morning when the wind was piping loud from the westward. All had a reef in mainsails, and topmasts were housed when anchors were broken out, but 'Satanita's' was very unwisely got on end, and she subsequently set a jibheader. 'Satanita,' over-eager, sailed the line too soon, and her opponents had been racing for the off mark nearly 3 mins. before she followed them across. With the wind quarterly, she soon smoked out to the first flagboat, where 'Navahoe' was leader and 'Calluna' second. Then came a beat in a little head jump, and the full drift of the wind was felt. 'Navahoe's' performance in beating to Brixham was far and away her worst display, as she simply crabbed on her uppers and sidled away, while 'Satanita,' crippled as she was with jibheader, was--truth to tell--not shaping a whit better, and seemed to be simply wallowing in dead water. Off Brixham, 'Satanita' had another set back, through one of her extra hands slipping overboard, but a very smart job was made in picking the man up. 'Satanita' was punished with jibheader again on the second round, and 'Britannia,' 'Calluna,' and 'Navahoe' were waltzing away from her. On the third round the sail was pulled down and the spar housed, but it was too late in the day to pick up the first flight. 'Satanita,' however, began to tramp away, and in addition to reaching her rivals beat the lot going to windward. The wind fairly whistled off shore as they reached on for Goodrington, but 'Calluna' and 'Navahoe' did not lower staysails as on the second round. The 'Britannia's' jib, however, burst, and 'Navahoe' shifted hers. The latter was in the way of a regular canvas splitter as she kept away round the Goodrington mark, and falling down flat she swept the mark-boat with her mainsail, but continued the match. At the end of the third round 'Navahoe' was 8 mins. astern of 'Britannia,' and 4 mins. of 'Calluna,' while 'Satanita' had gained 4 mins. on the Yankee in 10 miles. The 'Navahoe's' mainsail was found to be damaged at the clew, and to be giving out at the reef lacing, and just as 'Satanita' was collaring her off the Imperial she drew to the wind and gave up. On the last round 'Satanita' gained 1 min. 42 secs. on 'Britannia,' the latter finishing an easy winner 4 mins. 30 secs. ahead of 'Calluna,' and 7 mins. 9 secs. of 'Satanita.'

The wind hardened during the dark hours, and was blowing a moderate gale from the south-west at sunrise. It had veered westerly and moderated a little an hour before the start, and the 'Britannia,' 'Calluna,' and 'Satanita' housed topmasts, got first reef in mainsails, and set third jibs in anticipation of a dusting. 'Navahoe' could not start, owing to her damaged mainsail; but had she joined in there is no reason to suppose that she would have shaped better than on the previous day, as the wind was about the same in strength and direction, and the course almost identical. 'Britannia' and 'Satanita' made a grand start, but with the wind abaft the beam the latter cleared out at once from under her rival's lee, and gave a really phenomenal display of speed going to the flagboat outside Hope's Nose, covering the distance in 13 mins. 50 secs. She was at the mark in the thick of a passing squall, and when the tiller was put down to bring her by the wind it broke off close into the rudder-head, Jay, who always steers from the lee side, being just saved from going overboard. The mishap was alike annoying to crew and spectators as the vessel would, without doubt, have established a record over the Torbay course. The 'Britannia' and 'Calluna' then had a match, and, curious to state, 'Calluna' in the hard wind which prevailed during the first, second, and third rounds, fairly beat 'Britannia' on each turn while sailing with a free sheet, the advantage gained by the latter being on the beat between the sea mark and Brixham. On the last round the wind took off a little and 'Britannia' made an all-round gain, eventually beating her antagonist by 4 mins. 17 secs.

In contrast to the tearing pipe-up at Torquay, variable breezes, flaws, catspaws, and calms prevailed in Start Bay when the Royal Dart matches were decided. Owing to the death of the Duke of Coburg the 'Britannia' did not start, but 'Navahoe' was under racing colours again, and she was opposed by 'Calluna' and 'Satanita,' Mr. Crocker, of New York, having arrived just in time to sail the American. All light kites were set, and 'Satanita' led the race on a reach to the Skerries buoy, at which mark 'Navahoe' was whipper-in. 'Calluna,' through luffing out to cover 'Satanita,' let 'Navahoe' through into second place, and the latter ran up close to the leader. The breeze got so soft that they could hardly gain on the tide, and getting a flaw first on one quarter and then on the other positions kept changing, till at the last mark 'Satanita' was just clear ahead of 'Calluna'; the tide, however, hooked the latter and set her on to the mark-boat, and she at once gave up. 'Satanita' and 'Navahoe' reached along in a trickling air with all light kites set, and 'Satanita' finished the first round with a lead of 1 min. 18 secs. Both got in the doldrums near the Start mark, but taking a chill 'Navahoe' got away with a long lead. 'Satanita,' however, brought enough wind to drag her by to windward, and give her a good lead at the east mark. 'Satanita' was lucky enough to get a new wind first, which kept pretty true and steady afterward, and she eventually beat 'Navahoe' in a fluky race by 7 mins. 45 secs.

The rising Start Bay Club, to its credit be it said, catered for the big ships, and in return secured the entry of the familiar quartet. After a breathless morning an opportune breeze from the south-east travelled in from sea and put a little life into the start. The 'Satanita,' however, had just before drove on to the outer flagboat and she was then kept lying with staysail to windward. 'Navahoe' crossed the line first, and in a soft breeze went clean full and by for the Torcross flagboat, 'Britannia' and 'Calluna' being sailed finer. 'Satanita,' when told by the Committee to 'go on,' crossed the line 11 mins. 20 secs. after 'Navahoe,' and getting a better breeze than the leaders she gained about 7 mins. on 'Navahoe.' The last named went stealing along in the gentle breeze and finished the first round 33 seconds before 'Britannia.' The breeze freshened and they came on a taut bowline, and after 'Navahoe' had tried her best to wind 'Britannia,' the latter squeezed through her lee and in the next board crossed ahead, while 'Satanita' closed up. After a run from the west to east mark, they had a broad reach home in a fine breeze, 'Britannia' keeping bell-wether. 'Navahoe' held second place in the beat to Torcross, but 'Satanita' went past in going down wind for the next mark. It was a curious finish, as after reaching in fairly foaming, the wind cut off within a quarter of a mile of the winning line, and 'Britannia' came upright. She then got a cyclonic cooler, which filled the lower sails one way and the topsail the other. 'Britannia's' long lead looked likely to be wiped out, as the 'Satanita,' 'Navahoe,' and 'Calluna' were meanwhile tearing in foaming. They in turn got stuck up, however, in the same vortex, and 'Britannia' was logged winner with a lead of 7 mins. 16 secs. of 'Satanita,' 9 mins. 20 secs. of 'Navahoe,' and 12 mins. 44 secs. of 'Calluna.' 'Satanita's' was a remarkably fine performance in such weather; but, after all, she had a bootless journey, the 'Navahoe' taking second prize.

4 Times Round.]

The 'Navahoe' did not go further west than Dartmouth, but gave topsail-sheet for Cowes to get her wings clipped and a thorough brush up before the Gold Cup and other challenge cup matches with 'Britannia.'

Had the matches for the Royal Victoria Gold Cup been set for decision earlier in the season, and the challenger and defender not previously gauged their speed, deeper and wider interest would very naturally have been taken in the contests. As matters stood, the result appeared a foregone conclusion, yet many were warned by the 'Navahoe's' admirers that a little clipping and other alterations would be found to have wrought an improvement both in stability and speed, and that she would make a closer fight than was generally anticipated. The club arrangements for the first match of the series, on Wednesday, Sept. 6, appeared to be as perfect as possible, and excitement ran high on the morning of the day. There was a great crowd on Ryde Pier, and the official steamer which embarked ticket-holders at Southampton, Cowes, Ryde, and Southsea carried a large and critical company.

Friday was appointed for the final match over the long Victoria course, and it turned out a very coarse time, the wind coming in tearing squalls and the rain in sheets. 'Navahoe's' mainsail gave out at the eyelet lacings, and the second reef was got down, the start meanwhile being delayed. The American, however, eventually brought up, and Mr. Jameson, who was acting for the Prince of Wales on the 'Britannia,' declined, under the circumstances, to take advantage of a 'sail over,' it being mutually agreed subsequently to race on Monday. Monday opened with a rattling breeze from the eastward, but it had toned down at 11 o'clock, and was then a typical time to test the rivals under lower canvas with mainsails single reefed. As usual with the wind out there was a tumble of sea off Spithead. They started to the eastward at 11.5, and had a beat to the Nab, 'Britannia' having the best of it, as she was broad to windward at the flash of the gun. The west tide was going, and a long stretch was made across Spithead, 'Britannia' giving her rival a blistering for a time. She was too far ahead off the Warner to be spilling 'Navahoe's' head-sail, and, smashing through the short sea in peerless style, beat the American 9 mins. 5 secs.--or a minute a mile--turning to the Nab. Spinnakers Irish-reefed and hoisted to masthead were set after they had reached on to the Spit mark, and a gybe was made off Lee, the western flag being tacked round, and here 'Britannia' led by 9 mins. 7 secs. 'Navahoe' after rounding appeared to be starved for wind, while 'Britannia' was getting rammed along. Soon the jibsheets of the American ran out, and the sail had to be secured, sheets rove, and the sail reset, 'Britannia' meanwhile having hopped a long distance away; and she weathered the home flagboat and finished the first round with a lead of 17 mins. 7 secs. The Nab was turned to in a lighter breeze and smoother water, and 'Navahoe,' getting a northerly slant when off the Elbow buoy of the Dean, made a long leg out, while 'Britannia' had been pegging away at short turnings. The latter, however, weathered the lightship holding a lead of 14 mins. 5 secs., and she only added 10 secs. in going free to the western mark. The wind having backed to the eastward, they could lay clean for home, and with a fair tide the ground was covered very fast. 'Britannia's' masthead had gone aft, and the heel of her housed topmast was sticking out so far that it had torn the staysail just inside the tabling, and the sail split up from foot to head just before she crossed the line victorious in her defence of the Royal Victoria Gold Cup. The 'Britannia' finished at 4 hrs. 29 mins. 17 secs., and 'Navahoe' at 4 hrs. 44 mins. 25 secs.

After having finished the deciding match for the Royal Victoria Gold Cup, conqueror and conquered sailed away westward and rode the night out at anchor in Cowes Roads. Tuesday, Sept. 12, was fixed for the race for the Brenton Reef Cup, and it turned out a bright crisp morning, with a fine singing breeze easterly, and, gauged by the loom on the seascape, it appeared probable the wind would prevail from that quarter. According to conditions the course was from off the Needles Rocks round Cherbourg breakwater, passing in at the west end and out at the east, and returning to the Needles, the distance being computed at 120 miles. The antagonists were towed away after breakfast to the rendezvous, and going down the west channel a reef was put in mainsails, No. 3 jibs hoisted in stops, and flying jibs stowed at bowsprit ends, while jibheaded topsails were set after the last pull had been taken at purchases. The owner of the 'Navahoe's' wish that 5 mins. be allowed for crossing the line and the difference corrected at the finish of the match was acceded to, and about 11.30 the official steamer was in position, Mr. R. Grant, secretary of the Royal Yacht Squadron, being officer in charge. The imaginary starting line was formed by bringing the three Needles Rocks in one, and at noon the Blue Peter was lowered and the match commenced. 'Britannia' reached across the line at 12 hrs. 1 min. 6 secs. P.M., the 'Navahoe' at 12 hrs. 2 mins. 5 secs., the Prince of Wales's cutter thus having 54-1/2 secs. to allow at the finish. Sheets were trimmed for a beam wind, and with flying jibs and balloon staysails set they went racing fast across the down-coming ebb. There was a nasty ground swell, and on getting clear from under the lee of the land the full weight of the wind was felt, the sea getting crested and heavy. Jibheaders were handed, flying jibs lowered, and working staysails set, and travelling upwards of twelve knots there was plenty of drift knocking about. 'Britannia' continued to keep 'Navahoe' astern, and two hours after the start 25 miles had been logged. The wind kept true and they continued to sail a punishing race, the vessels labouring a good deal in the lumpy sea, and yawing in all directions. Keeping up an even speed of about twelve knots, they made the breakwater about four and a half hours after the start, and up to this time 'Britannia' had kept her lead. When about five miles off, 'Navahoe' was let come up sharp across the leader's wake, and, making a shoot afterward off her helm, she looked like coming in to her opponent. 'Britannia' dropped back after being thus covered up, and then came into her rival's wake, and they raced on into the comparative smoothing under the land, with 'Navahoe' holding a few lengths lead. Topmasts were housed, and they passed into the breakwater ready for the two-miles beat through Cherbourg Roads. This was at 5 o'clock, and 'Navahoe' had a lead of 25 secs. 'Britannia' drew to close round the buoy, 'Navahoe' found her opponent beating out broad on her weather, and in the first board 'Britannia' held a clear lead. In the last tack 'Britannia' stood on until she could spoil her opponent, and it took 'Navahoe' a few minutes to recover the winding. 'Britannia' headed out of the eastern end with about 2 mins. lead, and on getting in the open the ebb was still going west. It was a clean fetch back, but the wind was heavier and the sea steeper than on coming over. When night closed in they were about half-way across Channel, the vessels then getting fearfully punished. They raced together, however, in a wonderful way, 'Britannia' keeping the lead, with 'Navahoe' about 150 yards astern, the latter running wildly about, pointing one minute wide of the leader's weather quarter and anon for the lee side. Foresails had with difficulty been lowered when the vessels were about two miles off the breakwater, but with the wind more moderate, when they were about five miles off St. Catherine's they were reset. The flood tide was streaming hard, but 'Britannia' on closing in to the Needles was hauled up a bit for fear the wind should draw off the land, while 'Navahoe' was sailed hard along and closed on the leader. As the club steamer could not be anchored in the fairway outside the Needles, she was brought into Alum Bay and moored, and according to official timing 'Britannia' showed 'on' with the Needles Light at 10 hrs. 37 mins. 35 secs. P.M., the 'Navahoe' at 10 hrs. 38 mins. 32 secs., 'Britannia' thus being winner on corrected time by 2-1/2 secs. Mr. Carroll protested that the judge's steamer was not in position, and that the difference between the vessels at the finish was not so much as 57 secs. A meeting of the Royal Yacht Squadron Sailing Committee was called, and it was decided to adjudge 'Navahoe' winner. It need hardly be said that this ruling was thought hard on 'Britannia' after such a grand race, and no explanation of the finding was forthcoming. It was understood that the owner of the 'Navahoe' would not agree to the match being re-sailed.

It was arranged to sail for the Cape May Cup on Friday, Sept. 15, under precisely similar conditions to those which governed the Brenton Reef Cup, and over the same course. In order to obviate any difficulty about timing in the dark, it was agreed that the start and finish should be from Alum Bay, and Col. J. Sterling undertook the duties of starter and time-keeper. Seven o'clock was named for a beginning, but the vessels could not move out of Cowes Roads until 9.30, owing to a dense fog choking up the west channel.

On getting down to Alum Bay a further wait had to be made, owing to a glass calm prevailing, and it was not until 12.30 that the preparatory flag was broken out. There was a soft westerly breeze at the time, which gave a short beat out to the Needles. Fine generalship was displayed on 'Britannia,' which was intentionally sailed through the line before the gun, and 'Navahoe' was allowed the honour of showing the way. 'Britannia' followed 10 secs. later, and on meeting 'Navahoe' standing off on port tack put her round, and presently stayed dead in her wind. 'Navahoe' got a terrible shake-off, and was 2-1/2 mins. astern at the Needles. They then had a close reach off into the Channel, and with the light breeze narrowing only slow progress was made. An hour and a half after the start 'Britannia' held a lead of about a mile, and at 7 o'clock she was judged to be three miles ahead. At 8 o'clock there was not a breath of wind, the vessels laid in a perfect calm for about two hours, and it was reckoned that 'Britannia' was then about twenty miles off the Wight. At 10.15 a north-east breeze gathered in, 'Britannia' ran away with it, and in the pitchy darkness 'Navahoe' could not be made out.

The breeze kept up, and the spinnaker was carried on 'Britannia' until Cape Barfleur lights were made out right ahead. Owing to an alteration in the character of the lights not being noticed on the chart for a time, it was thought 'Britannia' was too far to the westward, the spinnaker was then got off, and the vessel hauled up a little. The western end was made in the grey of the morning, and on entering at 5.29 'Britannia' was holding about three miles lead, but 'Navahoe' was closing up fast. The wind was drawing through Cherbourg Roads, a few boards were made to get weathering distance of the east end, and 'Britannia' was going out at the one end while 'Navahoe' was about entering at the other, the distance between them being a trifle over two miles. The breeze, which came from the northward by east, was growing, and jib topsails were pulled down when about ten miles off. 'Britannia' was sailed to keep her opponent fair in her wake, and she might have been made fetch Christchurch head, but Durleston was the landfall, and the leader tacked off the Dorset headland at 10.15, 'Navahoe' following at 10.45. It was a beat hence home with a weather tide, and 'Britannia' at this game made a terrible exhibition of her opponent, weathering the line winner of the Cape May Cup with a lead of 36 mins. 13 secs. The official timing was, 'Britannia' 12 hrs. 57 mins. 19 secs. P.M., 'Navahoe' 1 hr. 33 mins. 32 secs. P.M. It may be said that 'Britannia's' sail-area in the Gold Cup, Brenton Reef, and Cape May races was 10,327 square feet, and the 'Navahoe's' 10,815 square feet, the latter having been clipped to the extent of 270 feet.

In summing up this review it may be said there is little reason to doubt that the 'Britannia' was the best all round vessel of the fleet; the 'Valkyrie' was a trifle the quicker in stays and in light breezes, the better vessel to windward, or even on a long close reach, and also in a dead run. In hard winds and plain sailing the 'Satanita's' 10 ft. greater length on the load-line gave her the mastery over the Prince of Wales's cutter, but on any point and in any weather 'Britannia' was equal to lowering the 'Calluna's' colours. The 'Britannia' and 'Navahoe' were desperately close matched whenever the latter could get a broad reach or run and keep the lee rail out of water, but the Prince of Wales's cutter was immeasurably her superior on the all-important point--going to windward. Perfect handling contributed not a little to 'Britannia's' success, and, sailed as she was by John Carter and Mr. W. G. Jameson, it is certain nothing was given away or lost. She had a peerless record in her class--namely, 33 prizes in 43 starts; the gross value of the prizes won, including challenge cups, being in round numbers 2,500_l._

It must have been highly gratifying to the 'Valkyrie's' designer that the vessel excelled in the very weather and sailing points desired--namely, going to windward and dead running. Her trials with 'Britannia' showed how wonderfully evenly matched the vessels were in moderate weather, and artistic handling was always conspicuous whenever Lord Dunraven's cutter was under a racing flag. 'Valkyrie' made her mark in the short season she had in home waters, her record being 15 prizes in 24 starts, her winnings amounting to 955_l._

The 'Satanita' was a particularly unlucky boat, and on the Clyde her ill fortune passed into a proverb. After breaking the spell with a victory in Belfast Lough, she, however, scored several notable victories, and it was a great feat to win two events at a Royal Yacht Squadron regatta. Her fastest reaching display was no doubt in the Nore to Dover race, but for a short burst the speed she attained in going from the New Pier, Torquay, to the flagboat outside Hope's Nose has perhaps never been equalled by anything of yacht kind. 'Satanita' was not such a handy boat to get round marks or herring-bone through a crowded roadstead as 'Britannia' and 'Valkyrie,' but Jay is deserving of the highest praise for the able way he sailed his charge. 'Satanita's' winnings included a Queen's Cup and the Albert Cup, and in 36 starts she won 13 prizes, value 760_l._

The 'Calluna' was a disappointing boat; indeed, her designer got into a way at last of calling her 'My unlucky boat,' for which expression there was all-sufficient reason. The best of 'Calluna' perhaps remains to be got out of her, yet she went by fits and starts in a wonderful way, but could rarely maintain her form to a finish. She had very strong opposition in 'Britannia,' 'Valkyrie,' and 'Satanita,' but likely enough she would have been an all-round better boat, and perhaps a real flier, with 2-1/2 ft. less beam and 2-1/2 ft. more load-water length. Her skipper, A. Hogarth, is exceptionally smart in handling a small craft; 'Calluna' was his first charge of the heavy-weight line, and she certainly was not the sort of craft to serve an apprenticeship in. The Clyde cutter managed to win 10 prizes in 36 starts, but it was only on two occasions that she sailed home in the van.

To small details in a racing vessel's outfit the Americans give much more consideration than British yachtsmen think necessary. Many a wrinkle might have been picked up, however, in making a careful study of the 'Navahoe's' outfit, and there is no doubt that much of the gear and ironwork in English yachts is too heavy. 'Navahoe's' failing was want of stability, and this was found out on the other side before she set out from home. Her iron skin was not in her favour, and we, on this side, have yet to learn that a vessel can be properly laid on a wind when steered with a wheel. The 'Navahoe' started 18 times and won 6 prizes. Including the Brenton Reef Challenge Cup, her gross winnings amounted to 445_l._

The record of broken masts and other spars in connection with first-class vessels was a remarkable one. It is likely that poor quality wood brought about the majority of the breakages; in fact, last season's spars were a rank bad lot. The case was different in 'Thistle's' year, that vessel having a really splendid lot of sticks. It may be said that the 'Britannia' had no fewer than three masts in her forty-three racing essays, one topmast, two bowsprits, and one gaff; 'Calluna' two masts, one main boom, and one gaff; 'Valkyrie' one mast, one topmast, one boom, and one bowsprit; and 'Satanita' one bowsprit and one boom.

Referring to the 40-rating class, it was feared at the outset of the season that neither 'Lais' nor 'Vendetta' was any improvement on the over-year 'Varuna.' The last named had quite a triumphal march at the outset, winning four class matches right off. It was at Lowestoft that 'Lais' first gave 'Varuna' a taste of her quality, as she beat the latter by 13 mins. 34 secs. in moderate weather. 'Lais' was afterwards victorious at Dover, Southampton (R. Southern), Largs Regatta, Royal Western of Scotland, Mudhook, Royal Ulster, Royal Irish, Royal Alfred, Royal Yacht Squadron (Australian Cup), Royal Victoria. Altogether she made up a string of 29 prizes in 39 starts, and the gross value of her winnings was 827_l._ 'Varuna' gained first honours in the Royal London match (Thames), Brightlingsea Regatta, Royal Harwich (both days), Royal Mersey (both days), Royal Clyde, Royal Ulster, Royal Cornwall (S.O.), Royal Southampton (2), Royal Albert (2), Royal Dart, and Royal Western, her winning total being 23 prizes in 40 starts, value 605_l._ The 'Vendetta' won her maiden race, and only one more (R. Southern), before leaving the Channel. She was an improved boat when she joined in on the Clyde and won round the Royal Northern course, and she was subsequently to the fore in the Clyde Corinthian Regatta, Royal Clyde, Royal Irish, Royal London (Cowes), Royal Yacht Squadron, Royal Dorset and Torbay (2). In all she gained 18 flags in 33, and the value of her prizes amounted to 490_l._ The 'Thalia' only carried Judge Boyd's colours ten times, and won six prizes, value 150_l._

The 'Dragon III.' was crack of the 20-rating class, and she had a very brilliant record--namely, 31 prizes, value 445_l._, in 34 starts. The 'Dragon' did not go through the season without a little doctoring, her formidable opponent, the 'Deirdré,' being found very hard to beat after being shortened about 10 in. on the water-line, and getting 45 square feet more sail-area; so 'Dragon' was altered in like manner, and 'Deirdré' had again to take second place. The new 'Vigorna' was a failure, and 'Dragon' and 'Deirdré' were too good for the 'Molly' ('Dragon II.'). The 'Zinita' would perhaps have proved equal to tackling the 'Dragon III.' by the wind, but Mr. Hill's boat would certainly have been able to score heavily with checked sheets. 'Deirdré's' record was 21 prizes in 35 starts, and the 'Zinita's' 18 in 24 starts. The 'Phantom' was the crack of the tens, with 14 prizes in 24 starts; and the 5-rater 'Red Lancer' in going round the coast managed to win 24 flags in 34 racing essays.

This review would not be complete without some reference to sails, and it may be said that those made by the joint firms of Laphorn and Ratsey were really wonderful and perfect specimens of the art. Still, 'Valkyrie's' canvas elicited the greatest praise in America, and especially from General Paine, who said her suit 'fitted like a glove; the most perfect canvas he had ever seen in America.' The quality of the material and workmanship was strikingly evident in 'Britannia's' mainsail, which lasted a season through, and after all the fagging and rough work it had, it kept its shape to the end of the season. The 'Valkyrie' had a mainsail made of Sea Island cotton for the America Cup matches, but most people would vote flax good enough after seeing such a sail as 'Britannia's.' The 'Satanita,' 'Calluna,' and 'Valkyrie's' mainsails stood equally well as 'Britannia's,' and those of the 40-raters 'Lais' and 'Vendetta' could not have been better. The twenties were quite as well done by; but the plan of giving the last-named class wide cloths in a measure spoils the beauty of the sails. The patent jibs introduced by T. Ratsey were very pretty sails, but they seemed liable to go across the diagonal seam in a gusty wind.