The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-17 00:00:00

71SST CLASS.

Phantom (26 tuna) ---
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S. Lane, En.
Maud (26 tone)
Thonest (26 tone) Cleo. Coop*, Ilaq.

1111COND CLASS
Yampa* C. Wheeler, Bs.
Kitten T. Hervey, Esq.
Pearl
The wane was to have extended from Erith to a flag-
boat immenel &Southend-pier, but time and a light wind
obliged Ilme managers to diminish the distance. The boats,
six in am** had a fine start and a pleasant breeze, the
lead bag taken by Kr. Wheeler's boat, the Vampire,
cloudy Mowed by the Kitten, a name of prosperous
omen. The Maud got away next, but was gradually over-
hauled by the larger Phantom. The latter boat,
which seemed to be the general favourite, lost some
time at starting in getting up her topsail, but, as soon as
all her sails began to draw, gave very favourable indication
other quality. The Thought, which at the commencement
by no means imitated in quickness the mental operation
from which she takes her name, gradually improved in
rapidity, and soon gave the necessary uncertainty to the
operations of the cutters. The Pearl got becalmed in a
corner, and for a considerable portion of the race was, in
technical language, "nowhere." The weather, which
fluctuated from light breeze to calm, alternately raised or
depressed the hopes of the various partisans, and the strife
of long tacks and short tacks became fast and furious.
Now the Phantom was the favourite, but in a moment the
Vampire became the observed of all observers. Nautical
phraseology became absolutely obscure in its intense tech-
nicality, and every gentleman on board the steamer who
rejoiced in the mystic button became the centre of a crowd of
eager inquirers. It must be confessed that at this moment
the uncertainty became almost painful to those who were
not only well up in the colours, but gifted with sufficient
length of vision to discern them at a distance and distin-
guish them amid the crowd of ships, barques, brigs, and
barges, with which the Thames is at certain periods of the
tide sure to be crowded. As the breeze gradually freshened
on nearing Southend, the position of the vessels began to
change. The Phantom, thanks to her superior beam, and
great spread of canvas, got and kept the lead, the Vampire
was a good second, the Thought had crept up to the third
place, the Maud was a fourth, and the Pearl preserved her
original modest retirement. The company by this time
had got tired of watching, and having refreshed themselves
with the excellent faro which Mr. Gore, the "Boyer
of the deep," had provided for their refection,
inpa to ratite inquiries for the Lug and
Queen of Haaover, who were expected to pass up the river
to Woolwich about twe o'clock. The Black Eagle was
eagerly looked for, but for a long time did not make her
appearance, and the general conjecture was that the royal
party had gone into Ratnegate. All conjecture, however,

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on this point was put an end to by a long line of smoke that
crossed the horizon as the Meteor reached Sea Reath, an 4
immediately after the Black Eagle hove in sight, wish the
royal standard flying. A number of lotlii s and genth tacit
stood on the paddle-box and exchanged greetings with tl.e
Yacht Club company, the Artillery band playing the Na-
tional Anthem. It was conjectured that her Majesty the
Quell of Hanover was among the ladies on the paddle-1)-e
of the Black Eagle, but the distance was too great to distin-
guish individuals,. Immediately after the Meter,
cast anchor about six miles on the London side of Sauthend
and the yachts passed her on their return jsurney in the
following succession, Phantom, Vampire,
Thought, the
later lung a few minutes in inukirg an; Reldi:iondl
" board" to clear the steamer. The race at this p. tied
was very close between the three vessels above-named, the
times being 3.43, 3.43 i, 3.51, and from thence forth they
had the race amongst them. The Maud, ono of the first
class boats, came next in sight, but at too long an interval
to leave her any chance. For her, therefore, and the Pearl
and Kitten, the race Wal given up. The steamer Laving
weighed anchor and proceeded on her return voyage to
Eritb, the capabilities of the three vessels in sailing before
the wind were now tested. They kept abreast until they
had passed Gravesend, when the crew of the Vilna-
pire rigged • new and larger topsail with a cele-
rity that dress down general commendation, and front
thenceforward kept the lead. Ou approaching the flag
staff much interest was excited by the strife
between her and her larger opponent as to which should
pass round first, although this was merely a point of nauti-
cal pride, as the Phantom being the first in of her class,
had already won the larger prize. Numerous tacks were
made, and while the point was in suspense the greatest
terest was excited. At last the Vampire beat her opponent
by five seconds, and was greeted with • hearty cheer front
her partisans. The Thought was several minutes behind.
The race on the whole gave general satisfaction, alt:aoui,h
some fault was found with the rule of the club, which, by
confining the trial to vessels of the same class, awarded
only the second prize to the Vampire, the victor in the day's
race. The proceedings terminated with the formal del.very
of the prizes on the quarterdeck of the steamer, IT Mr.
Goodson, commodore of the club, the first prize being a
purse of 40 guineas, and the second one a thirty.