The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-01 00:00:00

ROYAL LONDON YACHT CLUB.

The closing match of the season amongst gentle-
men's yachts belonging to this highly respectable
club, for a very elegant silver cup and cover, pre-
sented by the Rear-Commodore, Mr. G. E. Browne,
to be won twice before it becomes the permanent pro-
perty of the winner, to which was added a presenta-
tion purse of twenty guineas by the club, took place
yesterday, and although attended with misadventuree,
which were a source of great regret, was one of the
most exciting and beautiful races that we have seen
for some time past.
The club bad engaged the Gem steamer for the
conveyance of members and their friends to witness
the match ; and although the morning wore a most
forbidding aspect, a very numerous and respectable
company, amongst whom were a number of ladies,
assembled on board the steamer ; and while the wind
blew heavily, and delighted the yachtsmen with anti-
cipation of good sport, the rain held off, to the great
comfort of the visitors.

The following yachts were found at their stations
on the arrival of the steamer at Erith :

I. Alligator, 20 tons, Mr. Henry J. Smith, red
with white stripes, and a horse rampant.
2. Whisper, 19 tons, Mr. Thos. Eveleigh, blue,
white, and red.
3. Traveller, 10 tons, Mr. G. H. Jackson, red.
4. Phantom, 21 tons, Mr. Samuel Lane, white,
red border.

5. Moor Park, 17 tons, Mr. G. E. Browne, three
golden lilies, red ground.
It was a time match—one minute per ton allowed
by all yachts exceeding 10 tons to those not exceed-
ing 10 tons, and half a minute to those which do ex-
ceed it; yachts not exceeding 10 tons to allow half a
minute per ton to those of lesser tonnage.
The distance was from Erith to Thameshaven and
back, and there was half a gale blowing from the
southward of west. Betting was brisk, the Phantom
being the favourite, and the Whisper next in request.
A capital and even start was effected at 11 o'clock,
under the direction of Mr. Brown, and all canted
round almost at the same moment. The Phantom
drew a very slight lead at first, but owing to some-
thing getting foul, was unable to set her topsail for
some time, and the Whisper went into the first place,
followed by the Phantom, Moor Park, Traveller, and
Alligator. At this period, with flowing sheets, and
as much sail as they could conveniently stand under,
the little fleet pursued its course at an immense rate
into Long-reach, where the Alligator became third,
and the Traveller fourth. In St. Clement's some of
the boats found it necessary to lower their topsails,
and there the Whisper appeared to be somewhat simi-
larly hampered as the Phantom had been at the start.
These two boa's retained their position, but were oc-
casionally so close 'to each other as to threaten a
change all the way down ; the Alligator with a steady
third, shortly before arriving at the rounding boat,
carrying away some portion of her rudder, which
prevented her proceeding any further, and rendered it
necessary that she should be towed up by the Gem.
The other three rounded as follows :—The Whisper,
12 30 .55 ; Phantom, 12 32 10 ; Moor Park, 12 42 4,5;
and Traveller, 12 43 15.
In the first three or four boards made on the slack,
the tide having some time to run down, it appeared
that the Whisper was gaining more upon the Phan •
torn, and as no important alteration took place for half
an hour, it began to be considered that the Whisper's
powers were at any rate equal to those of her rival,
and that she must eventually carry off the prizes ;
but a most gallant contest was yet to follow. From
the opening of Gravesend-reach up to Greenhithe
there was a succession of skilful manceuvres between
the two crews, to describe which would occupy very
considerable space. The question was, whether the
Whisper could retain her position ; board after board
threatened a change, and off Greenhithe the Phantom
had just succeeded in getting to windward of the
Whisper by about a lengh, and the Whisper was at
the instant going aboM, when, hugging the shore
opposite Greenhithe too cloiely, she unfortunately rin
hard aground, thus putting an unfortunate conclusion
to the day's sport at the time the excitement was at
its highest pitch. The Phantom continued her course
and arrived at Erith the winner at a quarter to five,
the Whisper making her appearance in about half an
hour afterwards.

The prizes were subsequently presented to Mr.
Lane, who joined in the general expression of regret
that accident should hive prevented the contest being
continued rictht up to the winning post. The atten-
tion of the officers of the club aud the general arrange-
ments were worthy of much commendation.