The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-13 00:00:00

COVE OF CORK REGATTA.

climate of that grave ^c, ficient in those accommodations, which are
the comfort of fashionable visitants.

triton oils COMESPONDEXT.I
COVE, SEPT. 8.
The unequalled facilities which this beautiful and capa-
cious harbour offers for every kind of marine amusement
has naturally suggested the ides of establishing that most
delightful and fashionable species—the Regatta ; and seve-
ral noblemen and gentlemen connected with the Isle of
%Vight Yacht Club have intin rated their wishes that it
should take place at such a period of the year as would
afford an opportunity for the lovers of nautical sport to
cross the Channel without interfering with their summer
engagements on the south-west coast of England. The
idea, although started at an advanced period of the season,
has Leen warmly met by several gentlemen of distinction
on this side of the Channel ; and 1 n order that a commence-
ment might be made, which should lead to a better organ-
ised and more extensive display' of nautical skill on future
occasions, yesterday was fixed upon fur a grand sailing and
rowing match, which took plae e under the immediate pa-
tronage of the Marquis of Thotz,ond and the Cork Harbour
Club.
The boats entered for the sailing match were of that
description called Hookers, cat rying their three proper
sails ; and the rowing match was between four-oared whale
boats. A prize of ten sovereigns was given to the first, six
sovereigns to the second, and fot.r sovereigns to the third,
of the sailing boats; and prizes of five, four, three, and
two sovereigns, were given to the first, second, third, and
fourth of the row-boats. At the hour appointed for the
commencement of the race, the harbour and little town of
Cove presented a coup arced which was peculiarly ani-
mated and interesting. The riven steamers had previously
arrived from Cork, crammed withthe city folk, who took
their stations in the windows of the houses, or on the sum-
mit of some of the surrounding eminences, from all of
which every manceuvre of the boats could be distinctly
perceived. His Majesty's ship Semiramis, his Majesty
sloops Trinculo and Nimrod, and several other vessels, lay
in the offing, with streamers flying and bands playing,
whilst this immense bay literally swarmed with yachts,
pleasure boats, and small craft of every size and de-
scription.
The sailing boats (thirteen in number) started in ex-
cellent style, taking a course round a part of the harbour
which had been previously marked out by buoys and boats
moored at conspicuous points, and occupied a space of per-
haps from twelve to fifteen miles, during which the dex-
terity of the boatmen was tried by having to contend with
every variety of wind and tide. Eight row-boats started,
but the rowers did not evince any thing like the expertness
which the public arc accustomed to witness in the rowing
matches on the Thames. It was as much a trial of strength
as of skill, but was well contested, as, after a row of five
miles, upon their arrival at the winning post, none of the
boats appeared to be two boats' length behind that which
immediately preceded it.
The day passed off without the slightest accident, and
the immense concourse of spectators appeared to be highly
gratified with the sport which it afforded. The weather
was uncommonly propitious, a gentle breeze fanning the
air, and tempering the beat of a bright and warm sun. In the
evening there was a hall, for the benefit of the poor of
Cove, who, like the poor of all the other towns in this coun-
try, are suffering want in all its tad variety. It was at-
tended by a large proportion of the rank and beauty at
present resident in the South of Ireland, amongst others
were, the Marquis and Marchioness of Thomond, Lord
and Lady Ennismore, Lord Riversclale, the Ladies O'Brien,
Sir John and Lady Doyle, the Hon. Mrs. Aldworth, the
llon. Miss Hare, the Hon. Mr. Hare, Captain O'Grady,
Mr. Williams, Miss White, Miss Doyle, &c. &c. &c.
From the superior natural advantages and attractions
which this harbour , the Cove Regatta would bid
fair to attain a celersilit;s6equal to those held at Cowes or
Portsmouth, but that the town of Cove is extremely de-
- • indispensable to

ill-I g . i3I.ITISti .1‘ it i',..S' g.