The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-25 00:00:00

ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB.

The above great club closed its very prosperous yachting
season on Saturday with a race amongst yachts of the third
class, for a prize value £3O, from Erith to near the Nora
Light and back, and although the entry list was small the
sport was good, while the weather was most agracablo for
visitors—

Yacht. Tons. Owner.
Vampire
_ _

Satanella l5 Captain P. Bennett.
The Queen l5 ... Captain J. W. C. Whitbread.
The Oread steamer had been substituted for the Prince
of Wales, and left the visitors nothing to complain of.
Mr. E. Tatham officiated as commodore for the day, in the
absence of Lord Alfred Paget.
The signal to get ready was fixed at 11.31, and the second
to go away at 11.36 ; wind light from the eastward. It
was a very fine start. The Queen, from her position, took
the lead, followed by the Satanella and Vampire. All were
canvassed about the same time, the Satanella first with her
topsail, followed by the Vampire. The Queen was much
behindhand, and did not set her topsail till she got to the
point. They beat down the Rands, and in the second tack
the Satanella weathered the Queen and took the lead.
Half-way down Long Reach power began to tell, and the
Vampire took the lead of both herrivals, the Satanellahaving
shifted her jib for another one than that with which she
had started, Satanella carrying a big balloon topsail, the
Vampire and Queen with working topsails. Near Green-
hithe the Queen shifted her topsail, sending up a jib-headed
ono, and here the Vampire showed a decided head of
both, the Satanella being second, and the Queen third.
The Satanella now shifted for a jib-headed topsail, the
Queen drawing up to her, and off Broadness Point the
Queen went by the Satanella to windward, and took second
place, the Vampire being then half a mile a head. They
all beat down Gravesend Reach, the wind freshening, and
the Vampire again shifted her topsail. Off Rosherville the
Alexandra (No. 2) put the Queen about unnecessarily.
They lay through the Hope, and the Satanella appeared
to draw on the Queen. Standing over to the Mucking
Light the Vampire first tacked at 1 hour 47 minutes, with
a lead of nearly half a mile. It was a dead heat through
Sea Reach, and the water rather lumpy. The Satanella
gained, and at low water slack the vessels rounded the
steamer, and anchored midway between the Nore and South-
end in the following order :

H. M. S.
Vampire 3 47 30
The Queen 3 58 20
Satan°lla 4 2 25

Shortly before rounding the captain of the Orion steamer
altered his course materially, and eased so ascot to hamper
the yachts. They all set balloon topsails and jibs directly
after rounding, as it was a dead run all the way up. No
change whatever occurred, and they finished as under :
H. M.

Vampire 6 56
The Queen 7 5
Satanella 7 10

Amongst the accompanying craft were the Vigilant. with
Lord do Ros on board, Madcap, Gloriana, Pearl, Violet,
and Galatea. Mr. Alfred Cox kindly sailed the Vampire.

PIGEON SHOOTING.

GREAT ARISTOCRATIC HANDICAP AT THE
" WELSH HARP," HENDON.
Tho last great gathering of theseason of the Aristocratic
Club took place on Saturday, in Mr. Warner's Grounds,
and more than usual interest was attached to the meeting,
from the fact that it was the last meeting under the
auspices of Frank Heathcote, Esq. The volunteer review
no doubt made the company less numerous, but the entry
was great, numbering fully 70, and no less than 46 con-
tended. The conditions were as usual. We cannot lot
this opportunity pass without paying full respect to the
courteous and efficient handicapper for his willingness at
all times to give every information and attention. The
birds supplied by Barber were first class, and much spe-
culation took place, 6 to 5, 7 to, 4 eventually being the
price, but the " gun" in the aggregate was the most suc-
cessful. Tho following is a short epitome ;
Yards Birds Total
rise. shot at. killed
24 C. Hambro, Esq.
281 Captain Do Winton
23 P. Vivian, Esq lll 1 1 1 6
25 S. Bateson, Esq. (post entry) lll 1 1 1 6
24 S. J. Shelford, Esq lll 1 1 1 6
25 B. Edwards, Esq lll 1 1 0 5
24-} Captain Burnand lll 1 1 0 5
24 Sir F. Johnstone lll 1 1 0 5
23 Captain Baskerville lll 1 1 0 5
Ten gentlemen killed four out of fivo and retired, five
also following suit, after bringing down three out of five ;
twolve doing the same having only scored two out of
four; and eight others having no chance also gave in.
It will bo seen by the above score that five gentlemen
tied by killing six birds each, and, as usual, they proceeded
to shoot off, bird for bird. Mr. C. Hambro brought down
his two, thus killing his eight in succession, and became
entitled to the first prize of .£l3O. Mr. Shelton" missed his