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

PRICE 4d.
STAMPED sd.

therefore led, the Surprise being first, from her advantage
to windward and most tide under her. At the stumps a
corresponding alacrity was displayed on all hands, the Eliza-
beth, however, being first round and under way. Rounding
Coal Harbour Point the order of the stumps was Maria,
Charles, and Elizabeth, but scarcely a length between them,
and a few yards in front of them were the Surprise, Agnes,
and Matilda. It was a fair wind right down at this time, but,
unfortunately, did not hold. All their sails at this earlypart
of the match were drawing nicely. The Maria began to in-
crease her lead well in Erith rands, the Charles and Eliza-
beth sailing beam and beam, while the Surprise had in-
creased her lead. Off Purfloet the Matilda drew upon the
Surprise with the Agnes close onherquarter, and the Maria,
although still leading the stumps, was being picked up by
the Charles, while the Elizabeth was falling dead astern of
the whole fleet. About half way down Long Reach the
Matilda came up to windward of the Surprise, and after
boring her a little to leeward without any resistance, passed
her, and in half a mile further, the wind having lightened
upon the Matilda, the Surprise went up to windward of her
and endeavoured to return the complimentibut the Matilda's
captain luffed her, and a nice little breeze coming down at
the moment she retained her position. At Grays Matilda
had increased her lead considerably, the Surprise being so-
cond and Agnes third, the Maria having a long lead of the
Charles in the stumps. They were in this order at Graves-
end,where in the course of the light airs that succeeded, the
wind veered to north and then to east, so :that the barges
being unable to lay through the Hope had to make several
boards. As they were beginning to meet the young flood
the Elfin steamer was judiciously brought up about a mile
below Coal House Buoy, and the wind ever and anon dying
off, it was with the greatest difficulty the leading barges
fetched the steamer, being soaked up by the flood, which
every minute grew stronger. They at length rounded as
follcrwvr--- 7';" • • -

H. M. 6.

Matilda and Amy 0 12 50
Surprise 0 64 5
Agnes 0 54 40
Maria 0 50 $o
Charles 0 59 40

The Elfin was allowed to dri're up with the tide a few
yards to enable the first three to round. For some time on
the return the wind was fair, but again falling off came out
from the north and then westward, andin Long Reach they
had to make a board or two. There was no change, and the
barges finished as under :

U. M. S.
Matilda and Amy 2 21 50
Surprise 2 45 35
Agnes 2 55 55
Maria 3 0 55
Charles

The shouts and cheers from the assembled multitude at
the coming in were completely deafening. Mr. Cecil Long
then presented the prizes—Mr. Dodd's Cup to Mr. Willett,
with the money to his crew, and the second cup and money
to Mr. C. Wood and men. This was succeeded by the pre-
sentation of a very handsome silver snuff-box to Mr. Harry
Dodd from the working men, bearing this inscription—
" Presented to H. Dodd, Esq., by bargemen, as a token of
respect and esteem, and in acknowledgment of the interest
he has taken in their welfare. August 29, 1865." Mr. Long
was deputed by the men to present this, and pointed out
how well the recipient deserved it at their hands, and Mr.
Dodd expressed the gratification he felt at this unexpected
tribute of their regard.
The stewardship of the Elfin was excellent.