The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-14 00:00:00

AQUATICS,

THE ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB
SCHOONER RACES.

The excitement consequent upon the ocean matches of
this great club has scarcely subsided ere the attention of the
yachting public is called to the announced schooner races of
the same club, appointed for Thursday next. This class of
contest was first originated in 1853, the prize then being
borne off by the noble Commodore Lord A. Paget's Rosa-
lind. The race was continued with indifferent success for
lack of entries in one class only, but with the increasing po-
pularity and with it a prestige seldom enjoyed, it was found
expedient last year to divide the race into two classes, those
exceeding 100 tons for the first, and those not exceeding 100
tons for the second, and the same rule has been adopted in
the present race, for which the following are entered :
First Class.
For a Prize value 100 soya.
Yachts. Tons. Owners.
Cissy
Albertine
Diadem
Galatea
The Cissy, although new to the metropolitan racing
world, was built many years ago by White, but of late has
been completely remodelled by Wanhill, of Poole. The
Albertine, a very splendid boat, was built ty Turuan, of
Cowes, some three or four years ago, and won the schooner
race of this club last year, and her other great performances
since she has been afloat are too well known to need further
description of ours. The appearance of the Diadem in this
race is new ; she was launched from Wanhill's yard in 1861,
and is said to be a very fine vessel. The Galatea is from
the yard of Hansen, and in this match will contend again
with her old opponent the Albertine, with which last year
she had so splendid and successful a race. She shares in
this match the favouritism of the Albertine to the exclusion
of the others.

Second Class.
For a Prize value 50 sove.
Yachts. Tons. Owners.
Fleur-de-Lys.. BO !1r H. W. Birch
Aquiline 64 Mr H. Chamier
Medea 7O Mr W. J. Rideout
lolanthe Bl Mr H. Bridson
latrepid
Madcap
Flying Fish
Blue Bell
Hesperus

The Fleur-de-Lys was built by Aldous, of Brightling,
and is a very fine boat, but has not been so successful as
many of her compeers. The Aquiline is by Harvey, of
Wivenhoe, and is an old boat. The Medea is a fine, whole-
some, weatherly craft, and wants a good wind to stir her ;
she is about three years old, and has all the requisites of a
fine sea-going boat, built by Patterson, of Bristol. The
lolanthe was built at the Isle of Man, under the superin-
tendence of her owner. The Intrepid was built by Ratsey,
of Cowes, and has sailed well in races round the coast. The
Madcap is from the yard of Wanhill, and was launched last
season, and from her racing qualities, as displayed in her
successful match against the Albertine, bids fair to take a
Prominent position in this race, and is the favourite. The
' Flying Fish is a new vessel, of which nothing is known;
she comes from Southampton, and is said to be very fast.
The Blue Bell, as old boat under the names of the Diana
and Intrigue, was built by Ratsey, but has been subse-
quently altered, and won the prize last year. The Hesperus
is unknown to the yachting world, and has only recently
been launched.

With such a list of fine craft this may bo considered a
very open race. There is a time allowance of a quarter of a
minute per ton for difference of tonnage in each class, and
the course for both classes is to start from Gravesend, sail
round the Mouse Light vessel, and return to Gravesend.
The Eagle steamship has been engaged by the club for mein-
hers and friends only, and will leave London bridge at 10
precisely, and the Oread and Queen of the Thames will also
accompany the race for the conveyance of the public gene-
rally, leaving somewhat earlier than the club steamer.
The races, as usual, are open to all Royal yacht clubs,
and should the weather be fine will doubtless prove very
interesting.