The Express.
London, England, 1851-08-16 00:00:00

AQUATICS.

THE ROYAL VICTORIA ROYAL CLUB
REGATTA.

Ryne, Flunky EVENING.—The only race on the card to-
day (the second 50/. prize cup not having tilled, the Gondola
only being entered for the same) was the 501. prize cup, for
fore-and-aft schooners, the property of members of the
Royal Victoria Yacht Club ; the course being from the
starting-vessel to the westward of the two red buoys of the
Brambles, round the Calshot light-vessel, thence passing to
the eastward of the chequered and white buoys of the
Brambles, then round the Nab light-ship, always passing
outside the No-Man and Sand Head buoys, and in com-
pleting the course the second time the yachts to pass be-
tween the starting-vessel and the pier. The yachts' crews
to be limited to sailing regulations No 12, and the sails to
be limited to those usually carried on a wind. No allowance
for tonnage. The following started

An-ic a Tees, 101
Yeraande
Bianca
At a garter past eleven the signal gun was fired, and the
start was effected, the yachts, according to a late arrange-
ment, proceeding to the eastern instead of the westward, in
consequence of the state of the tide. The Anaconda was
the first to get away, which she did in gallant style, followed
closely by the Bianca, but it was some seconds before the
Fernande could fairly get under weigh, through some mis-
take in bringing round her head to the eastward instead of
to the westward, as had been given as the course in the
official programme. This delay was of no great moment
as far as the Bianca was concerned, for on proceeding towards
the Nab Light the small schooner was soon overhauled, and
the Fernande took the second place. When within about a
mile of the Nab the Anaconda was at least a mile a-head,
and there was apparently about the same distance between
the Fernande and Bianca. They kept this position for some
distance, but on rounding the point the Fernande recovered
a great part of the distance between them, and on passing
style Pier the Anaconda was closely pressed by her rival, the
Fernande, being scarcely more than half a minute a-head,
and making all sail. The match became now exciting, but
of course this was too early a stage to judge of any ultimate
result. The Bianca was so far behind here as to be consi-
dered to be completely out of the question as to sharing in
the struggle for the prise. The contest between the
two was continued with great vigour round the red
buoys of the Brambles and the Calshot light-ship, and
so nicely balanced a match has been rarely witnessed. They
kept company together in this manner on their return ; and
when opposite Ryde Pier, it might, in racing phraseology,
be termed a " dead head," for so even together were the
bowsprits that it would be a task of considerable difficulty to
say which had the advantage. They arrived at five minutes
past four, thus completing the first round in four hours and
forty minutes. They then made their way gallantly, for the
second time, toward' the Nab, the Fernande arwards
slightly taking the lead, but not to such a degree as to war-
rant further remark. They had pared the station about
ten minutes when the squadron of vessels which followed
the sailing yachts was joined by the celebrated American
yacht America, which has burled such defiance to all compe-
titors; and from the manner in which, one by one, she
soon distanced them, she satisfactority proved that the
pretension of " Brother Jonathan " to superiority was no
idle boast, and the numerous spectator had a most con-
vincing demonstration that her clipper build and swift sailing
had not been over-rated. In fact, the " Great American
was the theme of general conversation, and attracted am
much attention as the match itself. At five o'clock the
Fernande rounded the Nab for the second time, having com-
pletely established herself in the lead, and when within
about fire miles of Ryde, on her return, she was leading
nearly a mile ahead of the Anaconda, and with every pros-
pect of maintaining her position; but it should not be
omitted to be stated that during the greater portion of the
distance to the Nab the difference between them was
scarcely to be distinguished. At the time our account was
despatched, the race had not concluded.
There were various rowing-matches, and a duck-hunt,
during the day, which were warmly contested.
Her Majesty did not attend the regatta, in consequence
of a large party of visitors being assembled at Osborne-
house.