The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-19 00:00:00

FIRST CLASS.

Tons.
7 Red.
7 White, with red cross.

Flag.

Julia 7 Light blue.
Undino 7 White, with red and blue triangle.

SECOND CLASS.
Idas 6 Red over white.

Truant

5 American flag.

THIRD CLASS.

Demon 3 White, with his Majesty in centre.
Calliope 3 Blue, with amber border.
One minute per ton allowed ; only one vessel of eaoh
class to receive a prize. The distance appointed was
from Blackwall to Gravesend and back, and the Truant,
although of the second class, was backed by her friends
to eclipse any on the larger list. She was declared to
be an American clipper that possessed the advantage
of a shifting keel, and could beat or run at such a pace
as to warrant the favourable opinion expressed of her.
There were other very good things on the list, but the
American so engrossed the attention of leading yachts-
men that but little thought was bestowed upon them.
As the time approached for the start the most lively
interest prevailed, and as they had to beat against a dead
noser all the way down, it was quite evident that, bar-
ring accidents, the merits of the boats would be tested,
and soon enough indeed they were. Mr. J. Berncastle,
the commodore, having inspected the yachts at their
stations, gave the signal to go off at 11 hrs. 44 min.,
which was most promptly obeyed by the whole of the
fleet. The Albatross was first fairly under weigh, and
next the Idas, but the Truant almost immediately took
the lead of the whole of the fleet, and never forfeited her
proud position. Her rig was of the sloop character, her
foresail and jib being in one, and, like the America, laced
to her boom. A more handy craft was never seen on
the Thames. Without reference to her keel shifting at
pleasure, she showed herself infinitely superior to her
rivals in working down. At Woolwich the Britannia
was second, the Idas third, Julia fourth, Calliope fifth.
The Julia shortly afterwards passed the Idas, and in this
position they arrived at the flag-boat, just above Graves-
end, the Truant being more than a quarter of an hour in
advance of the Julia, and the latter 19 minutes before
the Idas. Of the third class, the Calliope was considerably
in front, and in this order they run up to the return post
as follows :

H. M. s.
The Truant 6 13 10
Julia
Idas
6 55 26
Shortly afterwards the Britannia, and the Calliope and
Albatross together at half-past 7.
The prizes were duly presented, with appropriate
speaches, by the Commodore.

THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.—A number of ad-
ditional workmen have been engaged by the direc-
tors of the Great Western Railway Company to form a
new terminus at Paddington, which will bring the line
nearly half a mile nearer to the Edgware-road than its
present site. Last week an extensive goods shed--the
registration and goods offices, &c., which were erected
at a considerable expense by the company—were dis-
posed of, and are now being demolished for the purpose
of extending the terminus. It is intended to bring the
line close to the new and splendid hotel, which is now
nearly finished, when omnibuses and other vehicles will
enter there at gates adjoining the hotel. At the new en-
trance there will be a spacious semicircular roof of cast-
iron ribs, covered with glass, similar to those, at the
terminus of the Great Northern Railway, King s-cross.
It is not expected that the new terminus will be opened
for at least twelve months.