The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-06 00:00:00

ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB.

Yesterday the annual match took place for the Grand
Challenge Cup, a very handsome piece of plate, and well
worthy of the competition which it was intended to ex-
cite. The race is open to all the Royal Yacht Clubs, and the
buts entered for it on the present occasion were four in
number - the Cynthia and Musquito, from the port of Lon-
don, the owners being Mr. Wicks and Lord Londesborough ;
the Cygnet, from Southampton, and belonging to Mr. H.
Ltrnhon •' the Diana, from Portsmouth, being the property
of Mr. J. L. Craigie. •To those who are at all converzant 4
with the subject it is unnecessary to say anything as to the '
first-class character of these yachts; and when, in addition,
it is mentioned that the wind blew freshly all day, and that
everything tuned out favourably for the match, it will rea-
dily be understood that the progress down the river in the
Commodore's steamer, the Ruby, proved to the members of
the club, and their friends on board, a most agreeable ex-
cursion. "It never rains but it pours" is an old adage, but,
if " misfortunes never come singly," it sometimes happens
that good luck is also cumulative. Yesterday it was so
with the Thames Yacht Club, for not only were the boats
entered for the race distinguished for their speed—not only
did the wind condescend to blow with the exact strength
suited to the occasion—but the Nepaulese Ambassador and
his suite honoured the club with their presence, and the
commissariat department of the Commodore's steamer
was put upon a more satisfactory footing than has
been the case for some time. With all these " appliances
and means to boot," the race went off most brilliantly.
The Ruby started from London-bridge at 9 o'clock, with
a large party of ladies and gentlemen, who were
shortly afterwards joined by the Nepaulese Minister
and his suite. They came on board from the Childe
which they appeared to have chartered for the occasion, and
having been cordially welcomed by Lord Alfred Paget, sta-
tioned themselves upon the larboard paddle-box. From
this elevated position they witnessed the " start," which
took place at Erich, about half-past eleven o'clock, and which
is always an extremely pretty sight. They remained on
board till the little fleet of yachts, heeling over to the fresh-
ening breeze, was below Greenhithe. The run down the
river, with the tide and wind both favourable, was per-
formed with great rapidity, the Musquito taking the lead,
though at one moment the Diana appeared likely to pass
her. At length the buoy at the Nore was rounded by the
little fleet in the following order :

h. tn. a.
Mosquito ... 2 2 30
Diana ... ... 2 5 30
Cynthia ... ... 2 6 16
Cygnet ... 214 15
It is seldom that of late years the club matches have ex-
tended so far down the river. When they have, the race has
always been interesting, and the rounding at the Nore has
been the climax of it. Within fair sight of the open sea, and
feeling its influences, the aquatic achievements of the club
assume a more dignified character, and every soul on board
the Ruby yesterday returned to town as proud as if he had
doubled Cape Horn. To add to the interest of the occasion,
the Howe, 120 gun ship, was lying at the N ore, and manned
her yards in compliment to the salute of the Ruby, which
steamed round her.
Ttie sail up the river was expected to produce some change
in the fortunes of the race, as at the time of rounding it still
wanted an hour of low water. The Musquito, however,
held her way succes.fully. She was admirab;y handled by
Mr. Stephen Ancon, her captain, and Lord Alfred Paget's
old crew. The Diana was passed by the Cynthia, and
shortly afterwards ran aground. The Cygnet diminished
the distance between her and the Cynthia, and the order in
which the winning-post at Erith was reached was as fol-
lows:

m.
Mosquito... ... 6 35
Cynthia ...
Cygnet ... 6 55
Thus it will be seen that the Mosquito was the winner of
the match, and accordingly the Challenge Cup was awarded
to Lord Londesborough, her owner, to bold until next year,
when, if he is again successful, it becomes his own.