The Express.
London, England, 1851-08-25 00:00:00

H. N. e.
Yokel* II 7
Freak II I :0 I

Autort
Gip+y

The other yachts had positions of about ball a minute
between each. The wind now freshened, and the "thick
stuff," or " table cloths," was observed to hang upon the
hills. Off llrading harbour the Yankee took the breeze
again, and came up, " hand over hand," and went by to
leeward of the Freak and Gipsy. The beautiful Volante
she had yet to conquer, she bang nearly a quarter of a mile
a-head of her. At twenty-eight minutes past eleven, how-
ever, she contrived, without any wining difficulty, to slip
by her,i as she had done with the rest, and away she went,
keeping eluse in to the island; her jib was then hauled
down, and stowed away. There was now a nice breeze.
All at once the Volante was observed to bear away out of
the line, and stand for tho Nab, and was soon after fol-
lowed by the Arrow, Bacchante, and eventually Constance,
the remaining yachts keeping their course. It was imagined
by some on board the steamer that an idea just struck
her to pursue such a course, while others were of
I opinion that outside the Nab was part of the
course, but the card simply stated " round the island."
The Yankee still went away from the lot, and at 11.49 she
tacked, and stood in towards the Culver. At noon she
again tacked, and in ten minutes afterwards once more
reached in towards the bay. At 12.38 she tacked between
Sandown and Shanklin, and laid along the island to the
southward, the others being dead to leeward. The America
then set her ell' topsail and outer jib, the breeze dying
away. At 12.05 she again made a short reach towards
Dunnose to shun the tide, and in a minute afterwards her
jib-boom (which she had procured as an addition at Cowes)
broke "short as a carrot." A. there was but little wind
and no " lop," it was thought that there had been a " slip-
pery hitch" about the guy tackles; however, the only im-
pediment was the time occupied in getting the " wreck "
in. Onward she went, and stood off to the southward to
gain a good offing. She was timed several times as 60
seconds in stays. The cutters were working along shore
without apparently the least chance. The tVildfire (not
in the race) from her manner, without an ensign, was taken
for the Aurora, she being in company with the yachts,
and " mocking" the movements of the nearest vessel.
At length the America got about two miles to windward,
abreast of Steephill, the Aurora, Freak, and Volante work-
ing short tacks under the land. At 3 p.m. the America
was off St. Lawrence, the It.V.S. committee steamer (with
several noblemen and members of the squadron on board)
keeping her company, in order to watch her actions in a
seaway. She was " easy and graceful withal." On look-
ing after the other yachts it was observed that the Arrow
hail run aground on the ledge of rocks between Ventnor
and Bonehurch, the east end of Mill-bay. The committee,
therefore, immediately directed the captain of the Queen
steamer to put back to her assistance. The Majesty, an-
other steamer, bore up likewise. The Alarm came up
shortly afterwards, and launched her boat with a kedge to
assist. The Majesty towed her afloat after some half hour's
rocking, and the Arrow. with the Alarm and some other
yachts, returned to Cowes; Aurora, Freak, and Volante,
tacking together in shore. At 3.20, off St. Lawrence, the
America was well to windward, with a strong W.S.W. breeze
and a "chopping" sea, the Eclipse and Bacchante being off
V ent nor. The other yachts were so much to the eastward that
it was impossible to note precisely their positions. At 4 p.m.,
after several tacks, the America weathered Rocken-end—
the south point. About a quarter of an hour previous to
this, the Wildfire (which many mistook for the Aurora)
passed the point, and had a good start of at least three
miles, with her ballast up to windward; but at 5.26, off
Freshwater Bay, the America passed her, and took the con-
ceit out of her. The Aurora was observed about seven
miles astern. On nearing the Neeedles Rocks, the Fairy,
her Majesty's tender, came out, and, as was subsequently
ascertained, she wan despatched with Lord Alfred Paget on
board, to report the position of the yachts. The Victoria
and Albert, with the royal standard at the main, having the
queen, Prince, and royal family on board, remained inside
the Needles. The Fairy returned, communicated with
the Victoria and Albert yacht, and was again despatched
to ascertain the position of the others. Returning in-
side the Needles the committee reported the information
for her Majesty. At 5.47 the America passed the rocks,
leaving then the Aurora from seven to eight miles astern,
and two other yachts to leeward ; and as the flood tide bad
not done outside, and as the breeze came dropping, it was
thought it would be a late job. When inside the Needles
Ithey were joined by several other steamers full of company,
and a number of yachts to witness the return of the vessels,

awl great indeed was then the excitement On the return
from the westward the At erina rams up with her foresail
and mainsail in goosewing" fashion, but fur and hour
afterwards, though tht.w.ands kept the channel in view, there
was no appearance of the s,..tond yacht. Passing the island
solnre tuaisating MIS Tern upon "...a.... it isr wrv::
Thorness, while a vast number of boats and ynehtst eager
for the information, hailed the steamer as she paged thi in.
Eventually the Ameri, a reached Cowes at 8.3-3; another
gun was tired at which was inferred to be the second
vessel, but this was a nii,teke. It was dark, and fireworks
were being exhibited, and amid the confusion it was impos-
sible to pick the yachts out, even had there been any in the
vicinity. The Vulente returned to Cowes with the lase of
her ban,,prit.