The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-30 00:00:00

CHAMPION SAILING BARGE REGATTA.

The view of Mr. Harry Dodd in originating sailing barge
races—since cultivated by the Thames and Mersey Barge-
owners' Association, and under whose direction they have
been this year produced—was not only to produce sport,
but materially to advance the interests of both owners and
the working hands in their employment. To tho former it
was suggested that their builders might strike out fresh
lines, and by the exercise of some taste in construction
prove that even a barge could be built without prejudice to
its utility with some pretension to beauty, and to cause
the owners to provide gear and stores that would enable
the men to handle their craft in so efficient a manner as
to reflect credit both upon the employers and the em-
ployed. Especially, however, were these races intended to
create a spirit of emulation amongst bargemen—a class
previously without any incentive for smartness and good
conduct other than the remuneration common to their
employment, and which, it is considered, cannot but react
most beneficially in causing them to keep their craft tight
and trim, in using every means to take advantage of wind
and tido, in making them more ready in giving way to
larger vessels and to each other, when nothing but colli-
sion and probable loss of life, with certain injury to pro-
perty and expense to the owners, is the natural consequence
of a contrary course. It must be obvious that these men
have at all times, in the aggregate, large amounts of pro-
perty entrusted to them, and that their vocation requires
the exercise of their utmost care and attention, and that
it will be a great encouragement to them in well-doing to
show that services which in the majority of cases
require dispatch, attention, energy, and thought,
are rewarded by some tribute of appreciation. The
object of the proinoters of this undertaking is not to
pet the men, but to endeavour by exciting a feel-
ing on the part of the owners, and such of the public as
thereby feel interested, to raise their self respect, and make
them objects of respect on the part of others.
The champion race of the third sailing barge regatta was
contested yesterday. It will be remembered that 40 barges,
topsails and stumps, sailed on the 15th inst. for various
prizes ; and the race of yesterday was amongst the first
three boats of each class, the prizes being for the owner of
the winning topsail barge, a Cup, value 20 guineas, and a
champion barge flag, the gift of Mr. Harry Dodd ; and for
the crews, £5 ss. for the first barge, £3 3s. for the second,
and £2 2s. for the third. And for the owner of the winning
stump barge 20 guineas, the gift of the subscribers, and £5,
£3, and £2 for the crews, besides another champion flag
presented by Mr. Dodd.
The following contended :
TOPSAIL BARGES.
Barges. Burden. Owners.
Agnes
Matilda and Amy
Surprise
STUMPS.

Elizabeth
Charles
Maria 75 • Mr. C. Wood.
The course proposed was from Erith to the Nore Light
and back, but it was found necessary to shorten it.
Mr. Cecil Long, vice commodore of the Prince of Wales's
Yacht Club, kindly consented to become officer of the day
on board the Elfin, which, with the Petrel and Stork
steamers, accompanied the race with large parties on
board ; there was also a vast assemblage of barges filled
with spectators.

The weather was fine—a light breeze from N.N.W. On
arriving at Erith the barges were found in two lines where
they had been positioned .by Messrs. Dodd, Starling, and
Flowers; three of the sailing committee. The start took
place at 10.5. The mainsails were hanging in the brails,
and the topsails lowered, but sheeted home, at the time the
signal was given, and in 45 seconds the Agnes bad weighed
her anchor and set every stitch of canvas, being the fastest
of the fleet. The Surprise was next, and the Matilda third.
These were a few yards lower down than the stumps, and