YACHT RACING IN 1893
BY H. HORN
An exceptional year, alike in regard to weather and sport, for not
within living memory has there been so fine a spring, summer and
autumn, and there is no previous record of such a sequence of eventful
and stirring racing. It is highly gratifying that sport so truly
national in character as yacht racing enlisted more general interest
during the past season than has ever previously been the case; in
fact, it can further be said that the doings of the 'Britannia,'
'Valkyrie,' 'Satanita,' 'Calluna,' 'Navahoe,' and 'Iverna' arrested
world-wide attention.
Lord Dunraven's commission, given in the fall of 1892, for a new
'Valkyrie' of about double the rating of his first cutter of that
name, heralded a revival of big-cutter racing, and later on yachting
enthusiasts were almost delirious with joy when authentic
announcements were made that the Prince of Wales had given orders for
a sister ship to the 'Valkyrie,' and that a big cutter was to be built
at Southampton for Mr. A. D. Clarke, and one on the Clyde for a
syndicate of Scotch yachtsmen.
Mr. G. L. Watson had a free hand in designing the 'Valkyrie' and
'Britannia,' which were built side by side at Partick by Messrs.
Henderson, and parenthetically it may be said they fitted out, moored
together, and kept singularly close company in all their matches. The
'Satanita,' which was designed by Mr. J. Soper to sail on a 94-feet
water-line, was built by Fay & Co., while Mr. W. Fife, junr. was
responsible for the 'Calluna's' model, and the vessel was built by
Messrs. J. & A. Inglis of Pointhouse, Glasgow, in an incredibly short
space of time. Although very certain that the 'Iverna' would be quite
outbuilt by the new ships, Mr. John Jameson determined to bring her
out, and 'Iverna's' well-tried antagonist, the 'Meteor,' was under
orders to join the fleet later on.
Just before the advent of the new year, Lord Dunraven's challenge for
the new 'Valkyrie' to sail a series of races for the America Cup was
accepted by the New York Yacht Club, and about the same time came a
notification from Mr. Carroll, a prominent American yachtsman, that he
was having a sloop (the 'Navahoe') built by Messrs. Herreshoff, with
which he intended to challenge for the Royal Victoria Gold Cup, and
also make an attempt to win back the Cape May and Brenton Reef Cups.
The year was thus launched auspiciously enough in respect to big ship
racing, and prospects were reassuring in regard to sport in all the
other classes except the tens. There was a fining down however in
number of the 40-rating division compared to 1892, and regrets were
general that the sale of the 'Queen Mab' had led to her expatriation.
But Admiral Montagu was replacing the absentee 'Corsair' with the
'Vendetta,' a fin-bulb and balance-rudder craft, with a beam of about
17 feet, and Mr. John Gretton, jun., who did not get much fun out of
the 10-rater 'Doreen,' had determined on having a 40 from a Fife
design, the outcome being the 'Lais.' 'Varuna' was being fitted out
again by Capt. Towers-Clark, and the 'Thalia,' which had passed into
the possession of Judge Boyd, was to be raced, but not to go all round
the coast. The second class was thus virtually made up of 'Vendetta,'
'Varuna,' and 'Lais,' which verily proved a militant trio, and their
owners had plenty of racing, and no end of exciting and eventful
sport. With the new 'Dragon'--the third of that name Fife's had built
for Mr. F. C. Hill--Lord Dunraven's 'Deirdré,' by 'Valkyrie's'
designer, and the 'Vigorna,' by Nicholson--which Lord Dudley intended
to take the place of the 5-rater 'Dacia'--there was promise of keen
competition for the 20-rating prizes; but it was not in the best
interests of sport that a joint arrangement was made that this class
would not be raced outside the Isle of Wight--at least from the
beginning of the season, until the Western meetings came on in the
fall. The 'Zinita,' a new 20 by Fife, had things pretty much her own
way on the Clyde, and it was a pity that she did not meet the new
boats which starred in Southern waters. 'Idalia'--the first
'Dragon'--was the 'Zinita's' most formidable opponent on the Clyde,
and the 'Molly'--'Dragon' the second--after a good spell of Solent
racing, went North, but found the 'Zinita' as bad to beat as she did
the 'Dragon' and the 'Deirdré.' There were no new boats in the
10-rating class, and racing in this division was confined to the
Clyde, where the 'Dora,' 'Ptarmigan,' 'Maida,' 'Phantom' and
'Woodcock' had some good sport. The 6-raters, which were a feature in
the Clyde and Irish regatta programmes in 1892, had gone out of
fashion, and 23-feet 'lengthers' were the reigning favourites with
small shipmen on the Clyde, Mr. Robt. Wylie's 'Vida,' a Watson design,
being the crack in a fleet of eight. The Solent 5-rating class could
not boast of a new boat, and the 'Dacia,' although she headed the list
of prize-winners in the South, did not sail up to her 1892 form. The
'Red Lancer,' which went all round the coast, was the pride of the
season of the fives, and she was equal to taking down 'Dacia' pretty
easily. The 'Fleur-de-Lis' and 'Quinque' also frequently lowered
'Dacia's' colours, and honours were about easy with the trio at the
end of the season. In the 2-1/2-rating class the 'Meneen,' a
Herreshoff boat, had a better average than the over-year Nicholson
boat, 'Gareth,' and in the 1-rating class the 'Morwena'--another
Herreshoff--was the principal winner. It cannot be said that the
branch of the sport known as handicap sailing flourished during the
season, though there were some keen and interesting battles with the
ex-racers. The most successful vessels in this division were the
'Creole,' 'Castanet,' 'Columbine,' 'Mabel' and 'Samoena.'
The big-cutter contests were of such exceptional interest that a
review of the season would not be complete without a history of all
the races sailed, and the opportunity is embraced of embodying many
unreported incidents in the subjoined _résumé_ of the first-class
racing.
[Illustration: 'Samoena'
_94 tons._ _Built for John Jameson, Esq., by Inman_, 1880.]
There was a thoroughly representative assemblage of yachtsmen afloat
the first day the big cutters had racing flags lashed up, and it may
be said that never during the half-century the Royal Thames has been
an institution has a more critical company, collectively, been present
at a river match of the premier metropolitan club. A white haze was
hanging about the lower Thames on the morning of Thursday, May 25, and
when the 'Valkyrie,' 'Britannia,' 'Calluna' and 'Iverna' were ready to
answer the starting gun, a breeze from the west-north-west of balloon
topsail strength was blowing. The quartet began the race at 12.5, and
went reaching down the Lower Hope, with flowing sheets and carrying a
swirl of ebb-tide with them. 'Valkyrie' had made a clever start, and
keeping to the Essex side was first to square away in Sea Reach, and
get spinnaker set to port. 'Britannia' had been edged off to the heart
of the fairway, but about Thames Haven she was drawn in across
'Valkyrie's' wake, and straightened on a down-river course directly
she had angled the latter's wind. 'Valkyrie's' first racing burst was
satisfactory, inasmuch as she kept pride of place for about 14 miles,
albeit she never held more than a clear length's lead of 'Britannia.'
About a couple of miles below Southend the wind had a hank off the
sands, and, with square canvas gathered and sheets trimmed in a
little, 'Britannia' raced up broad on the weather beam of 'Valkyrie,'
while wide away 'Calluna' was booming along with a rally of wind aft,
and for a few minutes certainly led the fleet. On an easy reach
'Britannia' gave evidence that she had the foot of the sister ship,
yet it was a marvellously close race, the Prince of Wales's cutter
drawing by the wind round the Mouse at 2.10 with about three lengths
lead of 'Valkyrie,' while the 'Calluna' was only 1 min. 11 secs. and
'Iverna' 2 mins. 5 secs. astern of the leader. With a beat back over a
lee tide in perspective the lead round the lightship was an immense
advantage, and, in order to keep weather gauge, 'Britannia' was kept
shooting so long that 'Valkyrie' had no chance of a successful hug,
and it would have been suicidal for her to have turned about in the
body of the tide. The alternative was sailing hard to get the wind
clear to leeward; but when 'Valkyrie' came round outside the edge of
the tide rift, 'Britannia,' drawing a foot less water, was able to
cast about dead in the wind's eye of her rival. A grand breeze
squeezing trial went on right up Sea Reach, 'Valkyrie,' although the
quicker of the pair in stays, getting now and again a staggering
weather bower. It was a racing treat, however, and, despite the duel,
the 'Calluna' and 'Iverna' were getting a hollow beating. The breeze
freshened with the flood, and from off Shellhaven 'Britannia,' which
was a bare hundred yards to windward of 'Valkyrie,' was, on starboard,
pointing clear of the Blyth, and did not therefore follow her rival on
an inshore cast. After passing the Lower Hope point, sheets were
checked, jib topsails and balloon staysails were set, and, with a
puffy breeze broad off the Essex side, they went straight up the
fairway pushing on a big bow wave. 'Britannia' going thus free was
dropping 'Valkyrie' a trifle, yet the race looked open until
'Valkyrie's' bowsprit snapped short off close to the stem head. She
was eased in to the weather shore, and her topmast saved in a
wonderful way, and eventually she followed 'Britannia' home. 'Calluna'
had split her big jib across the diagonal seam in Sea Reach, but got
another set, and looked likely--consequent on 'Valkyrie's' mishap--to
gain second honours. An attempt, however, to pass inside the Ovens
ended by 'Calluna' sticking deep in the mud, and 'Iverna' got home
soon enough to save her time on 'Valkyrie.' This, the first race, was
a fair trial to leeward and to windward, and it showed 'Britannia' and
'Valkyrie' to be wonderfully evenly matched, while 'Calluna's' _début_
was disappointing.
[Illustration: 'Iverna,' 1890. (John Jameson, Esq.)]
[Illustration: Lines and midship section of 'Iverna.'
Dimensions, &c.: Length (on L.W.L.), 83.50 ft.; beam, extreme, 19 ft.;
depth, 10.70 ft.; tonnage, registered, 84.40 tons; tonnage, y. m. 152
tons; Y.R.A. rating, 118 tons. Designed by Alexander Richardson for
John Jameson, Esq.]
The valedictory match on the river on May 27 proved the best racing
test, and furnished the most stirring sport of the trio. 'Valkyrie'
was ready to join in, and the fleet was similarly constituted to the
opening day. The race was under the Royal London burgee, and was
sailed in gloomy weather and a smart north-east breeze. A sensation
was served up before the contest proper had been started, and directly
after the heavily freighted official steamer had got down to the Lower
Hope, through 'Calluna's' mast breaking off short as a Jersey
cabbage-stalk. With her whole canvas pile carrying away over the side
it was feared some of the crew might be entangled; but luckily
everything went clear and no one was hurt. It was 12.45 before the
Commodore started the race, and at the time the Hope was full of
trading craft. A bulky hopper barred 'Britannia's' way, and both
'Valkyrie' and 'Iverna' had to be shoved up in the wind; and while the
two last named were hovering, 'Britannia' stood away for the Kent side
into the full scour of the ebb, and came off on the starboard tack in
weather berth. 'Valkyrie' had to short tack at the top of Sea Reach
to clear her wind, and as a long leg could be made, 'Britannia'
reached away with the lead, 'Valkyrie,' half a dozen lengths astern,
pointing high for her weather quarter. The wind was puffy and both
dropped 'Iverna,' but the two leaders were sailing a grand race, and
made a long stretch as far as the East River Middle without breaking
port tack. Hereabout, however, the wind suddenly shortened on them
from the eastward, and the 'Valkyrie' most unluckily was thrown dead
under the lee of 'Britannia.' With the tide soaking them bodily to
windward, they both fetched under the Nore Sand, which had to be stood
from for water, and by short turnings they then made a fine race to
the Nore Lightship. Here they got in deep water, and after a short
hitch and a rap-full stretch to clear had failed, 'Valkyrie' went in
for short boards of about twenty seconds, and ended by being given lee
helm directly she was full. This meant that 'Britannia,' being slower
in stays, had not got sheets in before she wanted to go about again,
and she would to a certainty have been weathered by 'Valkyrie,' before
getting as far on as the West Oaze, had not the Prince of Wales's
cutter been treated to longer boards. 'Britannia' then got away and
weathered the Mouse, after as fine a display of short tacking as has
ever been seen on the river, with a lead of 39 seconds, and the duel
had let 'Iverna' get within 10 minutes of the leader. They ran back
against the tide with spinnakers to port; but it was dead running, and
'Valkyrie,' edging in to the Maplins, got through into first place
above the Admiralty mile. The wind then came off shore, and
'Britannia' at once began to luff in. 'Valkyrie' was determined to
keep her weather wind clear, the pair had a match up to Southend, and
on keeping away both touched the ground, the 'Britannia' bumping three
times hard on the north head of Leigh Sand. The Prince of Wales's
cutter, however, keeping wide, slipped past 'Valkyrie' about the
Chapman, drew to, and came fair ahead. The pair kept up a grand race
on the Essex side of the river, but 'Iverna,' greatly favoured by the
wind and her opponents' jockeying, had got within a couple of minutes
of the leaders when off Holehaven. Spinnakers were carried through
the Hope, and a grand race finished with a free reach from Coalhouse
Point home, 'Britannia' beating 'Valkyrie' by 73 seconds; but 'Iverna'
won the prize by time.
[Illustration: Thames, Harwich, and Cinque Ports Courses.]
A very fine open-water match was that of the Royal Thames Club on June
10 from the Nore round the back of the Goodwins to Dover. The usual
tale of five of the national rig and the schooner 'Amphitrite' made up
the entry, and all mustered at the rendezvous. It was a cheerless
morning, the sky being heavy and of slaty hue, whilst a brisk
north-easter blew cold off the water. The schooner had a yard-topsail
set, 'Calluna' her No. 2 jackyarder, and the 'Britannia,' 'Valkyrie,'
'Satanita,' and 'Iverna' their jibheaders. Reef-tackles were ready to
pull earings down, but the breeze veered to the east north-east and
did not harden. They had a beat to the Tongue with a swinging weather
tide, 'Britannia' made a capital start, and twice crossed ahead of
'Valkyrie'; but exactly half an hour after the start, off the 'West
Oaze,' 'Britannia' found her sister marching clear ahead. 'Calluna'
had been in Tilbury Dock since her inglorious performance at Harwich;
she was there lightened of tons of dead weight, and the syndicate ship
was very much livelier, and infinitely more able at breeze squeezing;
while the turnings were too short for 'Satanita' to be cutting a dash.
'Britannia' jumped up on 'Valkyrie' every time the long leg on port
came, and at the entrance of the Alexandra Channel 'Valkyrie,' on the
bearing tack, had to come about under the lee bow, the Prince of
Wales's cutter thus becoming 'bell wether.' 'Valkyrie' stayed for
'Britannia,' which was however on port, but the former was clear
enough ahead before getting abreast of the beacons on the Girdler. The
two leading boats worked shorter tacks than the rest down the
Alexandra to the southern pitch of the Shingles, and they were
consequently getting picked up a little by 'Calluna' and 'Satanita.'
After a long leg on port, the last tack was made for weathering
distance of the Tongue Lightship, and on passing this mark after a
beat of 19 miles with a weather tide, the 'Valkyrie' led 'Britannia'
2 mins., 'Calluna' 7 mins. 30 secs., 'Satanita' 9 mins. 30 secs., and
'Iverna' 15 mins. 30 secs. It may be said that the distance was
covered by the leader in 2 hrs. 18 mins. After allowing for a sweep of
fair tide they had a broad reach off to the North Sandhead, and
although 'Britannia' raced up on 'Valkyrie,' she stopped directly she
began to yaw about on the leader's quarter sea, and was half a minute
astern at the North Goodwin Lightship. 'Satanita's' was a remarkable
piece of sailing, as according to the 'distance table' it is 14-3/4
miles from the Tongue Lightship to the North Sandhead, and she was
timed officially as taking just over one hour to do the distance; it
should be added that the tide was running about two knots, and setting
under the weather quarter, whilst it is worthy of note that between
the marks 'Satanita' had two luffs with 'Calluna' and shifted her
jibheaded topsail for a jackyarder. In a run to the East Goodwin main
booms were carried to starboard, and 'Britannia,' running the nearer
to the sands, was placed to cover 'Valkyrie,' when an inevitable gybe
came off at the East Goodwin. 'Valkyrie' came over all standing just
after passing the lightship, and unluckily for her the parts of the
mainsheet got under the counter. 'Britannia' was also gybed in a
hurry, and, covering her opponent, she slipped past into pride of
place, while 'Valkyrie' was unable to pull her boom in and luff; oddly
enough, however, 'Britannia' was in the same mess as her sister, and
it was some time ere both had mainsheets running free through the
blocks. With the North Sea tide swinging along hot, a fine head of
speed was kept up, and about the Calliper head-sails were taking well
and spinnakers were got in. Although the wind was quarterly from the
Southsand Lightship home, 'Britannia' made but a very trifling gain on
'Valkyrie,' and, according to official clocking, crossed the line with
a lead of 17 secs., and, having 13 secs. to allow, thus won with 3
secs. to spare--a remarkable finish of a grand race. 'Satanita' was 5
mins. 52 secs. astern of the leader, 'Calluna' 7 mins. 26 secs., and
'Iverna' 18 mins. 32 secs.
A smart easterly wind on the morning of the cross Channel match from
Dover to Boulogne very naturally gave rise to anticipations that the
time record for the course would be broken. The breeze came unsteady,
however, and put a veto on the accomplishment of a fast journey either
way, whilst a serious collision at the start, in which the 'Valkyrie,'
'Britannia,' and 'Vendetta' were involved, had the effect of utterly
spoiling the race. A fleet of eight responded to the starting
gun--namely, 'Britannia,' 'Valkyrie,' 'Calluna,' 'Iverna,' 'Mabel,'
'Lais,' 'Vendetta,' and 'Varuna'--and they ran in close flight for the
line before a north-east wind, with booms to starboard and having a
gybe to make immediately after crossing. 'Vendetta' got away first and
was reaching off on her course when 'Valkyrie's' bowsprit end took the
40 on the port quarter and forced her round until she filled on the
starboard tack, her topmast being carried away as she was slewing.
There was not much room between the outer flagboat and the port side
of 'Valkyrie,' but 'Britannia's' helm was drawn down--after gybing--to
give her a chance of finding a passage. She fouled the mark, however,
and through 'Valkyrie's' way being deadened when she fouled
'Vendetta,' 'Britannia' had the alternative of steadying her helm and
giving 'Valkyrie' a sliding blow, or of keeping it a little a-lee and
crashing right through the 40. The 'Britannia's' helm was eased, and
she put her bowsprit inside 'Valkyrie's' rigging, while 'Vendetta,'
after getting her bowsprit broken off by 'Britannia,' got some of the
gear foul and dropped alongside the Prince of Wales's vessel, with her
counter up about level with the big cutter's main rigging, and the
stem even with the taffrail. The three vessels, locked together,
sidled away towards shore, 'Britannia,' listing to the wind, pressed
her mainsail on to 'Vendetta's' port crosstree, and the sail split up
from boom to gaff. The trio laid thus entangled for ten minutes, but
meantime 'Valkyrie's' crew had chopped away at 'Britannia's' bowsprit
and headgear; eventually the spar broke, and then the three vessels at
once got clear. Meanwhile 'Calluna' and 'Iverna' had been racing away
for the French coast with a fine leading wind, and twelve minutes
after they had crossed the line 'Valkyrie' started in pursuit. The
wind was shy and very puffy after getting inside Grisnez, and
'Valkyrie' picked up six minutes on 'Calluna,' which had beaten
'Iverna' only 3 mins. 45 secs. in going across, and 'Varuna,' the
leading 40, by 24 mins. 'Calluna' hung on to her jackyard topsail in a
wonderful way, as some of the puffs laid her over until the lee decks
were full. 'Valkyrie' passed 'Iverna,' but 'Calluna' well kept her
lead, the wind easting enough for all to fetch clean full home.
'Calluna' beat 'Valkyrie' by 5 mins. 27 secs., 'Iverna' by 8 mins. 52
secs., and 'Lais,' the first of the 40's, by 46 mins. 6 secs.
[Illustration: 'Calluna,' 141-rater (Peter Donaldson, Esq.)]
There was a full muster of the heavy-weight cutters at the Royal
Southern rendezvous, the club having a first-class match on June 17,
the second day of its 'Jubilee' Regatta. 'Satanita's' light blue
banner was carried nearer the water-level than in her previous racing
essays, owing to the lower mast having been clipped 3 feet, and
additional lead had been put on her keel. 'Britannia' had made good
the damage sustained at Dover, and with 'Valkyrie,' 'Calluna,' and
'Iverna' the fleet was brought up to normal strength. It was a lovely
morning, glorified by fervent sunshine, and softened by a gauzy haze,
but a southerly chill was not strong enough to 'carry' the smoke of
the starting gun, and the surface of the Solent looked smooth as
burnished steel. With flying airs filling jackyard topsails, they
started the race, and ere going half a mile 'Calluna' got aground on
the Calshot Spit. 'Valkyrie' was lucky to strike the first of a
gathering breeze, and went reaching fast from the fleet down the West
Channel. She afterwards gave a fine display by the wind, and showed
matchless form on a dead run. 'Valkyrie' eventually beat 'Britannia'
by 5 mins. 32 secs., and 'Satanita' by 16 mins. 4 secs., 'Calluna' and
'Iverna' both being miles astern. 'Valkyrie's' was a good performance,
but she was distinctly lucky in getting the first of the wind, and she
likewise was kindly treated subsequently by Dame Fortune.
Rather singularly the Jubilee Regatta of the Royal Southern Club was
followed by the Jubilee of the Royal Mersey; but the latter meeting,
on June 24, did not open under such exhilarating influences as the
Solent gathering, particulars having just come to hand of the
'Victoria' disaster in the Mediterranean, while the weather was
dismally dull, and a tearing north-north-west wind blowing. Consequent
on the prevailing stiff breeze an alternative course--three times
round the Formby--had been plotted off overnight--probably not,
however, from any tender consideration whether the racing vessels
could cross the bar safely, the anxiety more likely being in regard to
the Committee-boat and her freight. The inside course was named on the
day, but, in spite of foresight and precaution, the racing was
disappointing. The 'Valkyrie,' which had come round from Cowes with
her mainsail an underdeck passenger, could not get the sail bent owing
to the rain and wind; then 'Calluna' got her anchor foul, and being
25 minutes late, did not start. 'Britannia' alone was near the line
when the Blue Peter came down, yet she lost 1 min. 50 secs., while
'Satanita' came 2 mins. later, and 'Iverna' a minute after 'Satanita.'
There was wind enough to warrant second earings being hardened down,
all topmasts were housed, and with the tide flying to windward the
ground was sidled over very fast. The start meant victory--barring
accidents--in beating out of the narrow Mersey channel, and although
'Satanita' worked right up under 'Britannia,' she was kept safely
pinned. There was a short jump of sea, and the two new ships were
giving a free display of the fore body, smashing the tidal combers
into blinding clouds of sea dust. 'Satanita' had a rare drilling from
'Britannia,' and although she also ran the faster, she could not get
through in such a limited stretch of water. Thus the game was played
to the end, it being a flog out from New Brighton to the Formby, and a
run back each round. Had the 'Satanita' got her opponent's start, she
would probably have beaten the Prince of Wales's cutter fully 5 mins.,
as in such a breeze she was clearly the faster to windward. 'Iverna'
was very soon done with, and at the finish 'Britannia' finished 2
mins. 19 secs. before 'Satanita.'
The Royal Northern Regatta opened on July 1 with a piping breeze
strong enough for slab reefs to be pulled down; before noon, however,
jackyard topsails were wanted, and calms and partial breezes made
tiresome work afterward, flukes being as plentiful as motes in a
sunbeam. The 'Calluna' put in an appearance, and when viewed broadside
on her big sail-plan gave her quite an over-hatted look. 'Satanita,'
'Britannia,' 'Valkyrie,' and 'Iverna' all made their number, and the
match commenced in a rush of wind, 'Satanita' clearing out of Rothesay
Bay faster than any steamboat ever left it--perhaps a madder burst of
reaching was never seen. The Southampton boat was at the head of
affairs for some time, but after some fluking 'Valkyrie' led. At the
end of the second round, however, 'Satanita,' through a sheer slice of
luck, got 3 mins. ahead of 'Britannia,' and as it was then 4.30 and
clock calm in the Clyde, it was thought the match would be stopped.
The Committee, however, wanted the distance done, and 'Britannia,'
being the faster in light airs, got home late in the evening 1 min. 49
secs, before 'Satanita,' 'Valkyrie,' which was nearly 20 mins. astern
of the latter at the end of the first round, getting in 1 min. 32
secs, after, and saving her time for second prize. The 'Calluna's'
wide wings did not seem to help her as they should have done in flaws
and catspaws.
The Mudhookers opened the ball on July 5 at Hunter's Quay, and a very
capital sailing programme was put forward by the exclusive 'forty'
which constitute the club, the leading event being a prize value
100_l._ for big cutters. With 'Britannia' and 'Calluna' disabled, the
affair virtually resolved itself into a match between 'Valkyrie' and
'Satanita,' although the 'Iverna' was a starter. It was imperative
that the helmsmen should be amateurs, and Mr. W. G. Jameson shipped
for the day as timoneer of 'Satanita,' Lord Dunraven having Mr. George
Watson to relieve him on 'Valkyrie.' Starting with a free sheet in a
smart breeze, 'Satanita' went away so fast that 'Valkyrie' looked
likely to have a stern chase; but the wind got baffling, in beating up
the Firth from Ascog 'Valkyrie' worked up, and off Dunoon, in standing
off on port, she had to come round under the lee bow of her rival. A
wind-jamming trial then followed, and 'Satanita' either sidled away
and dropped down on 'Valkyrie,' or the latter ate up under her rival,
as the end of 'Satanita's' gaff hooked 'Valkyrie's' topmast shrouds,
and Lord Dunraven's cutter was towed along for some minutes. After
getting clear, it was thought 'Valkyrie's' topmast was slightly
sprung, and there were cross protests at the finish of the round. A
desperately close race was sailed on the second turn round the course,
and 'Satanita,' which was only 27 secs. ahead at the finish, got
beaten on time by 'Valkyrie.' 'Iverna' finished 26 secs. after the
leader.
Amateur helmsmen were in request for the big ships on Clyde Corinthian
Club day, when the 'Britannia,' 'Valkyrie,' 'Satanita,' and 'Iverna'
responded to the starting gun. The weather was very uncertain, the
breezes being so light that only one round of the course could be
sailed. 'Valkyrie' was the lucky ship as she rounded the Kilcreggan
flagboat, two and a half miles from the Commodore, last boat. Standing
off in the Firth, along the edge of a flaw, whilst her opponents were
lying becalmed, she tacked into a breezy lane, and, passing 'Iverna,'
'Satanita,' and 'Britannia' in turn, carried her way up to the line,
getting the winning gun 30 secs. before 'Britannia' struggled through,
and 2 mins. 15 secs. in advance of 'Satanita.' The 'Valkyrie' was
steered by her owner, the 'Britannia' by Mr. W. G. Jameson, and the
'Satanita' by Mr. R. Ure.
A more unfavourable racing day than that which opened the Royal Club
Regatta has never been experienced even on the unutterably fluky
Firth. Sudden spurts of wind, calms, a very long spell of what was
quite a deluge of rain, deafening thunder, blinding lightning and
depressing gloom, made up the sample of weather vouchsafed to the
competitors during the time that the 'sport' was progressing. The big
cutters mustered in full force, and had a light easterly breeze, which
gave a reach down the Clyde. Just before the start, 'Britannia' on the
port tack, with the wind pretty broad abeam, made 'Calluna,' which had
run down from the eastward with boom over the port side, come round;
and this was deemed cause for 'Calluna' to pursue a protest, on the
ground that a breach of the rules of the road had been committed.
'Valkyrie,' too, made a mark of 'Britannia,' the latter getting the
stem, and sustaining damage to the port bulwarks aft and the taffrail.
After an unsatisfactory start, 'Britannia' and 'Satanita' went round
the Ascog mark together, but just as the latter was stepping out in
style, and apparently in first place, her bobstay pendant burst and
the bowsprit broke off short to the stem-head. Topsails had been
shifted, as there was a prospect of a strong breeze, but the outcome
was a tempest without a rattle of wind. 'Britannia' sailed in fine
form, and simply lost her opponents directly 'Satanita's' accident had
put that boat out of the way. It was a wretchedly poor time, however,
and, thanks to not a little good fortune, 'Britannia' beat 'Valkyrie'
by 41 mins. 40 secs., and 'Calluna' by 62 mins. 17 secs., while
'Iverna' gave up. Protests were lodged against 'Britannia' on behalf
of both 'Calluna' and 'Valkyrie.' The 'Calluna's' objection was
considered, and about midnight the Sailing Committee decided to
disqualify the 'Britannia,' only one witness, be it said, from the
last-named vessel having been called. There was really not a semblance
of racing on the second day of the Royal Clyde Regatta, which was the
valedictory fixture in the so-called 'Clyde fortnight.' Flying chills
and draughts out of every 'airt,' with long spells of calm, kept the
vessels hanging about the lower part of the Firth until the shadows
were well slanting eastward. An evening breeze helped 'Valkyrie' home,
but it took her nearly seven hours and a half to cover one half the
course, and she finished 54 mins. 9 secs. before the 'Calluna,' 1 hr.
31 mins. 30 secs. before 'Britannia,' and about 2 hrs. 40 mins. before
'Satanita,' the last named taking 10 hrs. to cover 25 miles.
Inspiriting racing marked the opening of the Irish fixtures at Bangor,
and the Royal Ulster Regatta attracted all the big cutters. The wind
was fresh from the north-north-east, slab reefs were down in mainsails
and sharp-headed topsails set. A thrilling and eventful contest
followed a perfectly judged start, and 'Britannia,' 'Satanita,' and
'Valkyrie' formed first flight in a plain sail round the Lough as far
as the South Briggs flagboat, where the last named lost her place
through one of her hands getting knocked overboard in a gybe. At the
same mark in the second round 'Britannia' got the inside turn, when
the main boom had to come over; but 'Satanita' at once began to luff,
and with mainsheet blocks together on both they went heading out in
the Lough. Foot by foot 'Satanita' came up, off Ballyholme Bay she had
ranged broad on the weather-beam of her rival, and was thus able to
claim room at the home flagboat, which she luffed round with 5 secs.
lead, and Jay then kept her shooting almost as long as she would to
keep weather berth. 'Britannia' unluckily got her mainsheet jammed,
and as she could not in consequence be sprung to the wind--at
once--so high as 'Satanita,' she dropped under the lee quarter, and
got a severe blanketing all the way up the Lough. The pair sailed an
exciting match round the rest of the course, and 'Satanita' travelling
like a shooting star reached home winner with 5 secs. in hand. It may
be said that the feat was accomplished in one third of the course,
16-1/2 miles, and that she beat 'Britannia' 2 mins. 29 secs. in that
distance, which was a very high tribute indeed to 'Satanita's' speed.
'Calluna' finished 7 mins. 19 secs. after the winner. 'Valkyrie' never
regained any of the time lost in picking up the hand who got
overboard.
[Illustration: Royal Ulster Yacht Club Belfast.]
The breeze steadied down during the dark hours, and the 'Valkyrie' had
a day just to her liking. 'Iverna's' well-known racing banner was
missed for the first time in the season, owing to her rudder-head
being twisted. Spectators were treated to a magnificent light-weather
match between the 'Valkyrie' and 'Britannia.' The former took the lead
directly after the flash of the starting gun, but she did not seem to
ghost along in the usual peerless style. 'Britannia' was with
difficulty kept pinned under the lee; in fact, it was evident that
'Valkyrie' could not allow her opponent a cross-tacking chance, or her
quarry would certainly have slipped her. The breezes were paltry and
patchy, with plenty of white water spots about, and the course was
shortened to the extent of one third the distance, 'Valkyrie'
eventually crawling home winner about three lengths ahead of
'Britannia,' although there was 1 min. 56 secs. difference between
them in time. 'Calluna's' big sail-plan availed her little, and
'Satanita' never once really woke up in the prevailing zephyrs.
'Calluna' finished 16 mins. 53 secs. astern of 'Valkyrie,' and
'Satanita' struggled in against the tide 8 mins. 6 secs. after
'Calluna.'
There was a piping breeze from the westward on the opening day of the
Royal Irish Regatta, and a stirring struggle with 'Satanita,'
'Britannia,' and 'Calluna' for Her Majesty's Cup was accordingly
anticipated. 'Calluna' risked a whole mainsail, but 'Britannia' and
'Satanita' had the baby reef in and all set jibheaded topsails.
Perfect judgment was shown on the 'Satanita' and 'Britannia' in
manoeuvring for the start, but 'Satanita's' skipper scored first
honours as he gave his ship a wipe away at the nick of time, and she
reached through the line, fairly foaming a length ahead of the Prince
of Wales's cutter, 'Calluna' being about a hundred yards astern. They
went along the wind at a tearing pace to the Muglins Mark,
jib-topsails being cracked on, and on going to the Kish the wind was
brought on the quarter, a nasty roll tried spars and gear, and an ugly
gybe came on before making the Lightship. At this mark 'Satanita' had
given a startling illustration of her speed with a free sheet, as she
led the 'Britannia' 2 mins. 5 secs., with 'Calluna' only 19 secs.
astern of the latter. A very fast piece of close reaching was done
between the Kish and the Rosebeg, then came a dead peg across the Bay.
'Britannia' tried hard to get 'Satanita' into short tacking, and the
latter, having to turn about more often than suited her, found
'Britannia' settling up, enabling 'Calluna' to profit by the game her
opponents were playing. In a hard squall the second round commenced,
and through a backing of the wind they had a run with spinnakers to
the Kish. A gybe had to be made, and it was a heavy one. 'Satanita'
and 'Britannia' got their booms over all right, but 'Calluna's' came
in a hurry, and while the boom-end was buried deep in the water, the
inner part came with a surge against the runner and broke off, the
outer half of the spar launching in board and lying square across the
deck. Luckily no one was hurt, which was simply a miracle. The
'Satanita' and 'Britannia' sailed a desperate race during the rest of
the round, and this time the former had the better of her rival
beating across the bay. In going free to the Kish on the last turn,
'Satanita' sailed in peerless form, and had a lead of 4 mins. 44 secs.
at the Lightship. In a close reach to the Rosebeg, 'Satanita' lost a
few seconds, and then followed a splendid race tack and tack home.
'Britannia' was the better on this point, but 'Satanita' kept her
under the lee and weathered the line with a lead of 2 mins. 47 secs.,
winning the Royal trophy and scoring a brilliant victory with 69 secs.
to spare.
The Royal Irish Regatta finished on Thursday, July 20, in changeable
weather and baffling breezes. With 'Calluna' crippled, the 'Satanita'
and 'Britannia' had a match for the club prize, and not at all
unexpectedly 'Britannia' was winner. She scored by no means a
bloodless victory, and her crew had a scare when 'Satanita' struck
into a breeze about half water between the Muglins and Kish, and went
streaking past like a flash of greased lightning. 'Satanita' was
pluckily sailed, but had not wind enough to wake her up and, when the
match was stopped at the end of the second round, 'Britannia' had a
lead of 4 mins. 4 secs.
[Illustration: Royal Irish Yacht Club. Dublin Bay.]
[Illustration: 'Navahoe,' 161-rater: N.Y.Y. Club (Royal Phelps
Carroll, Esq.)]
Most auspicious was the opening of the Cowes racing week in regard to
wind and weather, there being every indication of the morning breeze
of Monday freshening when the stream bent westward, and of lasting
sunshine and a clear atmosphere. The match was under the Royal London
burgee, and the club had adopted a new course of which it may be said
that a better could not have been marked off inside the Isle of Wight.
The big cutter entry included the 'Valkyrie,' 'Britannia,' 'Satanita,'
'Calluna,' 'Iverna,' and the Gold Cup challenger 'Navahoe,' and there
was general rejoicing on the morning of the day that the American
would be certain to get a trustworthy test of speed in her first
racing essay. Curiosity to see how she would acquit herself under the
circumstances ran high. The match commenced with a free reach to the
eastward on the back of a fair tide, and the wind followed and gave a
run, but it came in streaks and the fleet were all together at the
Warner, the 'Valkyrie' being leader, with 'Navahoe' 75 secs. astern. A
nice breeze was found to windward, and in turning in to the Noman
'Valkyrie' worked away from the Yankee and then went for 'Britannia,'
which, with 'Satanita,' stood away for the north shore. 'Valkyrie' was
then left with 'Navahoe,' and the latter along Ryde Sands and on to
the Motherbank got more wind and a slacker tide, inside 'Valkyrie,'
and forereached so much the faster that on coming off she crossed
comfortably ahead of Lord Dunraven's cutter. 'Navahoe' performed this
feat 'on her uppers,' while 'Valkyrie' was stiff as a tree, perhaps
through having less wind than there was to leeward. The breezes
continued to be served out partially in strength and direction, and
'Britannia,' 'Satanita,' and 'Calluna' were having a bad time in
working the north shore down. 'Valkyrie' picked up 'Navahoe' in
beating on to Calshot, and went round that mark with just a clear
lead. The breeze was unsteady and puffy in reaching to Lepe, but for
the most part sheets were checked, and 'Navahoe's' big sail-plan
dragged her by to windward of 'Valkyrie,' and she was first round Lepe
buoy, but she made a wide sweep in the gybe and 'Valkyrie' ran on to
the fore. With a leading wind 'Navahoe' slipped through to leeward
into first place before getting to Cowes, and thence they squared
away. 'Valkyrie' was not raced with the same spirit as 'Britannia' was
on the first run eastward, or the 'Navahoe' would have been luffed out
into Spithead; the latter was, in fact, allowed to keep the even
tenour of her way, and she rounded the Warner with 10 secs. lead of
'Valkyrie,' 'Britannia' having run up on both, while 'Satanita' had
taken the American in nearly 3 mins. With a weather tide and truer and
fresher breeze, they had a fair test to windward, and a couple of
boards sufficed for 'Valkyrie' and 'Britannia' to weather the
American. 'Valkyrie' was sailed to bother 'Britannia,' while the
'Navahoe' was fairly let run loose. Had the sister ships been simply
sailing boat against boat, they could not have carried on a keener
duel. 'Britannia' beat 'Valkyrie,' but instead of having a substantial
lead at Calshot Lightship, she was only just to windward of
'Valkyrie,' and but 1 min. 33 secs. ahead of 'Navahoe.' In reaching to
Lepe, 'Britannia' and 'Valkyrie' gained in distance on the American,
but nothing in time, owing to the rushing lee-tide. There was a smart
breeze to blow them home against the boiling stream, and the
'Navahoe's' big sail-plan helped her. Both 'Britannia' and 'Valkyrie,'
however, kept to the fore, and 'Britannia' finished winner of a hard
race, 63 secs. ahead of 'Valkyrie,' 1 min. 23 secs. of 'Navahoe,' 3
mins. 50 secs. of 'Satanita,' and 7 mins. 36 secs. of 'Calluna.' It
may be said that 'Satanita' gained 4 mins. 34 secs. and 'Calluna' 6
mins. 18 secs. on the 'Navahoe' in sailing the second round; the pair
picked up on 'Britannia' and 'Valkyrie' simply owing to the suicidal
tactics adopted in racing the sister ships.
A breeze was wanting on the opening morning of the Royal Yacht
Squadron Regatta to put animation in the scene afloat, still in the
flood of sunshine it was a brilliant spectacle. There was a galaxy of
private yachts, and quite a fleet of fighting ships of various
nationalities riding on the Solent dressed in bunting, the German
Emperor's new 'Hohenzollern' looming up a very Triton amongst the
host, through which the racing fleet had presently to thread their way
eastward. The starters for Her Majesty's Cup were the 'Meteor,'
'Britannia,' 'Valkyrie,' 'Viking,' _née_ 'Wendur,' and 'Mohawk.' An
alteration in the course had been made by substituting the Bullock
patch buoy for the Nab, and with thoughtful consideration for the
length of leg of the modern craft, the three-fathom North Bramble
Channel was left out. A dreadfully slow run was made eastward, the
16-1/2 miles from Cowes to the eastern limit of the course taking
about 2-1/2 hours to cover. The breezes came in puffs out of every
cloud, but mostly from the north or north-west, and in this sort of
weather it was absolutely humiliating that the aspirant for America
Cup honours should be led round the lee mark by the seven-season-old
'Meteor.' With a better and fairly true breeze westerly 'Valkyrie' and
'Britannia' on a close reach in to the Noman passed the Emperor's
cutter, and, from mark to mark eight miles, 'Valkyrie' beat 'Meteor'
exactly 4 mins. After fetching well up to Cowes, they turned through
the roads, and then got a northerly slant in the west channel; a
flying weather-tide settled them bodily to windward, and at Lymington
mark 'Valkyrie,' which had gone in grand form to windward, was 3 mins.
ahead of 'Britannia' and 15 mins. 40 secs. of 'Meteor,' the time
allowance of the last named having thus run out by 68 secs. The wind
was breezing up, and they ran through a roaring ebb tide at a fair
speed, the modern boats pushing out a tremendous bow wave. The
'Meteor' unquestionably had a stronger following breeze than the two
leaders, and with about 3-1/2 ft. less draught than 'Valkyrie,' she
could be edged inside the tide rift on the north shore, the result
being that she gained 50 secs. on 'Valkyrie,' yet with an allowance of
14 mins. 32 secs. she thus lost by 18 secs. On the question being
raised that 'Valkyrie' had not followed the track marked on the
official chart furnished, it was admitted that she had left the Nab on
the wrong hand, and the Sailing Committee disqualified her and
declared the 'Meteor' winner of Her Majesty's Cup. It may be said that
the 'Wendur' after rounding Lymington mark attempted to set her
spinnaker, but lost the sail, which was picked up by a pilot boat.
Worse still, the boom was let drop in the water, and on it breaking
two of the crew were badly hurt.
Wednesday, August 2, was chosen by the Royal Yacht Squadron for the
match for the Meteor Challenge Shield presented by the German Emperor,
the course being from Cowes round the Isle of Wight (outside Nab),
thence round the Shambles Lightship and back through the Needles
passage to Cowes, a distance of 112 miles. According to the conditions
four yachts were to start or no race, but out of an entry of six only
'Britannia' and 'Satanita' went for the trophy. The start, which was
fixed for seven o'clock, was delayed an hour owing to the card and
sailing directions differing. At 8 o'clock, when 'Britannia' and
'Satanita' got away, the 'Valkyrie's' crew, which had made a show of
getting the vessel ready, had proceeded as far as hoisting a jib in
stops and lashing up the fighting colours, the vessel subsequently
lying listless at anchor all day. A charmingly bright clear morning
with a bonny breeze from the north-west sent the two ships scudding
out in hot haste to the eastward. Spinnakers were on and jackyard
topsails, and at the Nab 'Britannia' had run out a lead of 4 mins.
Coming on a reach the east stream was faced, and 'Satanita,' doing a
wonderful stretch of sailing, had almost drawn level with her rival,
when the wind came ahead and gave a beat of about forty miles to the
Shambles. In order to shun the tide the Island shore was worked, but
'Satanita' got too close and bumped hard several times on Atherfield
Ledge. In working on a nasty short jump of sea was trying the vessels,
and off Swanage the breeze came in such hard puffs that big topsails
were got down. 'Britannia' worked away from her rival, and after a
pretty considerable amount of pile-driving got round the Shambles at 4
o'clock with a lead of 10 mins. They had to face a west tide, and as
the evening closed in the wind almost entirely failed. In the west
channel it was mere tide-work, and at 9.30 'Britannia' drove across
the line winner, 'Satanita' at the time being barely discernible
astern. It was an uninteresting match, but a hard one for ships and
crews, and in the heavy plunging which went on between the Needles and
St. Albans 'Britannia' sprung her mast.
Thursday morning opened with a fine singing breeze from the
west-south-west, and the match for the Cowes Town Cup gave promise of
stirring sport. 'Britannia's' absence, owing to her mast being sprung,
was generally regretted; but 'Navahoe,' 'Valkyrie,' 'Satanita,' and
'Calluna' appeared under fighting flags. All had a single reef in
mainsails, and 'Valkyrie's' topmast was struck, the rest keeping
theirs on end. They were sent first to the westward, and had a clean
reach to the first mark, a capitally judged start being made.
'Satanita,' nearest the Hampshire shore, was first on the line, with
'Valkyrie' overlapping the western quarter, and 'Calluna' and
'Navahoe' broad to windward. Laying down to the hard breeze,
'Satanita' was given the weight of it, and went smoking away, while
'Navahoe' in weather berth was getting comparatively very lightly
sailed. A hard breeze, however, caught the Yankee, making her curl up
to an ugly angle, and as she went off her helm, 'Calluna's' crew were
getting scared that she would either drop down flat on them or make a
wild shoot into their ship. A heavier slam than the first put the
'Navahoe' fairly out of control, and she went down on her side and
wallowed helplessly in a smother of foam, until a gripe up to the wind
relieved her and she came upright, when particular care was taken not
to fill on her again. The weight of the wind had burst the mainsail at
the clew, and, after getting the sail off the vessel ran away up
Southampton Water, International rivalry thus coming to a summary end
for the day. Owing to the strong wind and flood tide, the mark-boat
had driven about a mile eastward, so it was soon reached down to, and
'Satanita' was first round, then 'Valkyrie' and 'Calluna.' It was a
broad reach to the Warner, and cracking on a jibheaded topsail
'Satanita' was ploughing along at an astounding speed; in fact, she
was doing 14-1/2 knots when crossing the Admiralty mile. With a
jibheader on, the leader was leaving 'Valkyrie,' which had lost
'Calluna's' close company through the latter, when careening to a
squall, fouling the jibboom of the steam yacht 'Cleopatra,' the cutter
getting mainsail split and gaff broken. 'Satanita' stayed round the
Warner at 10.52, 1 min. 18 secs. before 'Valkyrie,' and the former had
the benefit of a reach back as far as Cowes. Heavy squalls came off
the Island, and 'Satanita' had lee decks full, 'Valkyrie' by
comparison standing up manfully. Owing to the flagboat drifting, they
went round Lepe buoy, and having to nip to fetch, 'Valkyrie' gained a
trifle. Coming back free, 'Satanita' was driven along with jibheader,
and she held a lead of 7-1/2 mins. at the Warner. The homeward track
could be laid clean full, and the wind coming off with
canvas-splitting force, 'Satanita's' lee decks were washing like a
porpoise's back, but she was travelling at a tremendous speed and
would have gone much faster and on a more even keel had the topmast
been struck. It was a wonderful display of fast sailing on her part,
as she finished 8 mins. 13 secs. before 'Valkyrie,' and covered the
distance, 48 miles, allowing for the drifted flagboat at Lepe, in 3
hrs. 40 mins. 50 secs., thus averaging a little over 12-1/2 knots.
An exceedingly brilliant wind-up of an eventful regatta was made at
Cowes on Friday, August 4, when the Royal Yacht Squadron prize was
sailed round the Warner-Lepe course. The competitors were 'Satanita,'
'Valkyrie,' 'Calluna,' and 'Navahoe,' and they started on a short beat
down the west channel in a rising breeze from the west-south-west,
jibheaded topsails being set over whole mainsails. In the first board
'Navahoe' was weathered by each of her rivals, the Yankee being kept
hovering in the wind, instead of being made to feel the weight of it,
the previous day's experience perhaps being the cause. A heavy squall
with sheets of rain passed over before the Western mark-boat was
weathered, and they drove back to Cowes with spinnakers, all but the
Yankee being run on the wrong gybe. From a run they came to a free
reach off Osborne, and went streaking out at a great pace to the
Warner, all except 'Satanita' cracking on jackyarders, but 'Valkyrie'
shifted back to jibheader off the Sandhead buoy. The latter kept pride
of place going east, but in coming back clean full the wind came off
the Island in savage puffs and 'Satanita' was racing up. A regular
flame of wind struck off above the Peel, and 'Satanita' went by the
windward into first place, leaving 'Valkyrie' fairly stuck up.
'Navahoe' and 'Calluna' hung on to big topsails too long, the Yankee
continuing whipper-in and falling down flat on her side in the hardest
of the gushes. 'Satanita,' too, crabbed up badly, but did not heel to
such an angle as 'Navahoe,' and was always lively and manageable in
the puffs; she also got up a higher head of speed the fresher the wind
piped. On the second round it was harder driving between 'Satanita'
and 'Valkyrie' than with 'Calluna' and 'Navahoe,' and after the free
reach to the Warner the first named was 2 mins. 2 secs. ahead or 3
secs. short of her allowance. It was just a clean reach from the Noman
to Cowes, and some of the puffs came off the Island with the rush of a
white squall. 'Satanita' was knocked down flatter than 'Valkyrie,' but
she did not steady her speed, and finished a splendidly fought and
most exciting race with 2 mins. 9 secs. lead of 'Valkyrie,' 'Satanita'
winning with 4 secs. to spare. 'Calluna' was 5 mins. 22 secs. astern
of the winner, and 'Navahoe' 7 mins. 36 secs.
[Illustration: Royal Southampton Yacht Club.
1892. "Warner and Lymington Course".]
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.
[Illustration: Royal Albert Yacht Club. Southsea.
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.'
[Illustration: Torbay Regatta Race Chart Torquay.]
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.
[Illustration: 'Satanita,' 162-rater (A. D. Clarke, Esq.)]
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.
[Illustration: Start Bay Yacht Club Dartmouth.
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.
[Illustration: Royal Dart Yacht Club. Kingswear.]
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.
[Illustration: Mr. Hill's 'Dragon III,' 20-rater.]
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.