The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-20 00:00:00

ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUE
REGATTA.

RYDE, TUESDAY EVENING.

The sudelen termination of the race yesterday Li. the
Club Prize of 50/., occasioned by the carrying away the
Arrow's mainmast, has been a source bf great regret, for
there was every probability that the prize would have
fallen to the Arrow, although the Mosquito was well
sailed on this occasion. The whole subject will be re-
ferred to the sailing committee.
The day was beautifully fine, the wind just sufficient
to make a sailing match interesting, and the sea pre-
sented that quiescent appearance which almost invari-
ably follows a stiff gale. Tne pier was crowned with
elegantly dressed ladies. The first race was for the Com-
modore and Vice-Commodore's Cup, open to all cutters
belonging to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. A time
race, the time to be calculated by length on the water
line, 4 feet to allow 45 seconds. The following were
the entries :

Yachts. Tons. Owners. Flags.
Shadow
Thought
Extravaganza 48 Sir P. Shelley ... Blueburgee, four white

diamonds.
Hesperus 34 N.Montefiore,Esq Blue, white star.
Haidee . 33 R. W. Wheeler, Esq White, red Maltese
cross.

Surprise
The course the same as yesterday—viz., from abreast
Ryde Pier to the Brambles Buoy, at the entrance to
Southampton Water ; from thence to the Nab Light, at
the east end of the island, and back to Ryde. Twice
round the course.

The Surprise and the Shadow did not appear at the
starting poet at the specified time for starting.
At 10 30 precisely the starting-gun was fired, the
signal having been previously made for the yachts to
proceed to the eastward, towards the Nab Light, with a
nice breeze blowing from the northward, and it was sur-
pri-,ing to see the speed with which the Thought was got
under weigh ; in an instant she showed her bowsprit
ahead, up went the mainsail, and after that her topsail,
and about two minutes after starting she had shot con-
siderably ahead of all her rivals. The Extravaganza
was well up to her work, but although a vessel of very
superior tonnage she was by no means so quick in her
movements as her leading competitor. Between these
two yachts the trial of their respective qualities was
most interesting. In the run down and back the Extra-
vaganza succeeded in slightly overhauling the Thought,
but never to disturb the position she had at first assumed.
Alter leaving Ryde the Hesperus and the Haidee bad a
nice pTay between themselves for the third place, and the
Hesperus succeeded in obtaining it. On the return to
Ryde they passed the starting vessel as under, baying
just completed one round of the course :

H. M. S.
Thought
Extravaganza 2 230
Hesperus
Haidee
_

The next race on the card was for a Club Prize, value
601., oxen to all schooners belonging to the Royal Vi' •
toria Yacht Club. The Victoria Course (same as in the
above race). The following were the entries :
Yachts. Tons. Owners. Flags.
Georgiana... ..109 Capt. Thellusson Blue, yellow, rod

horizontal.
Maraquita ...100 T. B. Carew, Esq. Red, gold Ai in

centre.
Beatrice 2OB J. E. W. Rolls, Esq. Red, white, blue,
vertical.
Zouave 64 R. Arabin, Esq. ... White, black crest

in centre.
Brilliant 202 G. Ackers, Esq. ... Commodore's

_
broad pendant.
The whole of the vessels appeared at the starting post,
which for the occasion was the Coquette yacht, and at
11 o'clock precisely the starting-gun was fired, the yes-
gels as before proceeding to the eastward. The lead was
taken by the Georgiana, but it was but temporarily,
fur she was soon compelled to give place to the Mara-
quite, the Zouave being third, and the other two a good
distance astern. Before, however, rounding the Nab
Light the Beatrice had taken the third place, but in other
respects the positions were unchanged.
Considerable disappointment was experienced at the
performances of the Zouave, for she had hitherto proved
herself a very superior yacht in going to windward, and
although to-day she had a very good opportunity in com-
ing up from the Brambles of showing what she could do,
from the subjoined statement it be seen there was
upwards of 20 minutes between her and the leading ves-
sel. On coming up they were timed off the Ryde Pier
as under :

IL M. s.
Maraquita
Beatrice
,
Georgians 2 27 32
Zouave
Brilliant

At this period of the race the brilliant struck her flag
and hove-to, but the other yachts proceeded for the re•
mainder of the course. There was, however, but slight
doubt that the Thought would be the winner of the prize.
Intelligence has just been received that the Thought
is the winner of the prize for cutters, beating the Extra-
vaganza, which won Prince Albert's Cup at Cowes last
week, by 10 minutes, but the details must, in conse-
quence of the departure of the boat for Portsmouth, be
deferred until to-morrow.

This evening's performances at the theatre were under
the patronage of the commodor,, vice-commodore, and
members of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.
Amongst the most recent arrivals at this place is
Mdlle. Piccolomini and the opera company of London,
who in tend giving a series of concerts at the Town-hall
during the ensuing week.