The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-26 00:00:00

THE NEW YORK PRESS ON THE
INTERNATIONAL YACHT RACE.

The news of the victory of the Sappho over the Cambria
will be received everywhere in this country with satisfac-
tion. It is a forerunner, as we may hope, of the still more
memorable victory to be gained by Mr. Bennett next
July. We have now retained the palm as yachtsmen for
many years past, and it would not be without consider-
able reluctance that we should make up our minds to part
with it. Mr. Douglas, the owner of the Sappho, tried
for a long time to bring about a race between his yacht
and Mr. Ashbury's, but at one time there seemed no pro-
bability that he would be gratified. At last his patience
and pluck have been rewarded. If the Cambria should
beat the Dauntless, we shall still have the satis-
faction of knowing that there is at leas':, one Ameri-
can yacht which can beat the victor. Those who know'
best say that Mr. Douglas' yacht is a faster sailer than
Mr. Bennett's, and the latter gentleman expressed that
opinion himself just before his departure from New
York. The contest just concluded is, therefore, not a
certain indication of what the Dauntless can do as against
Mr. Ashbury's yacht. But the race in July will be a
long one, and every opportunity will be given for a dis-
play of the true sailing qualities of the Dauntless. We
still hope that she wilfmaintain the renown of the New
York Yacht Club, and add one more triumph to the
many already won by her owner. Mr. Ashbury must no
carry away the cup won by the America, if our yachts-
men can help it. They mean to do their best, and Mr.
Douglas' victory will certainly have the effect of stimu-
lating their hopes.—New York Times.
The first channel race between the English yacht
Cambria and the American yacht Sappho has resulted
in the defeat of Mr. Ashbury's boat. Sixty
miles to windward and return was too much
for the English yacht, and she gave up the
race without running the course. Nautical minds are
speculating upon the reason why she was beaten, as the
lawyers would say, by default. They think that as the
wind was too strong she could not carry canvas enough to
compete with the immense stretch of sail which the
American yacht spread, and perhaps they are right. In
ad lition to her regular fore and aft sails the Sappho
mounted a maintopmast staysail and flying jib, an immense
pressure aloft and forward, which not only gave her a great
advantage, but proved her capacity to carry a heavy load of
canvas in a stout breeze with perfect safety. Under these
cirumstances what could the Cambria do but give up the
race ? These are the views of nautical and practical
minds, but those who look at all contests for victory as a
matter of profit and loss—of gambling, in fact—incline to
the opinion that the Cambria was " playing possum," and
that Mr. Ashbury meant to lose the first race in order to
make high stakes on the other two. The facts, however,
do not bear out this idea. On the contrary, all reports
shew that the Cambria did not win the race simply
because she could not carry sail enough to compete favour.
ably with her adversary. We must be content with this
solution of the question. If she wins the other races—
sailing under better circumstances—we shall be content
also. But the American public will watch her ocean race
in July next with feelings of deeper and more absorbing
interest.—New York Herald.