The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-24 00:00:00

SAILING RACES

PIECE of PLATE, value £75, for Yachts exceeding 20 tons
Sir R._«. Bulkeley's Isis, 75 tons

J. C. Evart, Esq.'s Edith, 69 tons..
Owen Lloyd, Esq.'s Union, 45 tons
H. Scovell, Esq.'s Atalanta, 24 tons

H. Melling, Esq.'s Seagull, 25 tons
The yatchs started at ten o'clock from New Brighton, and
had to round the Formby Light-ship, and the Floating-light,
and return to the flag-ship at Monks' Ferry, a distance of
thirty miles. The yachts had to encounter a heavy sea, and
to beat out to the Floating-light. They all behaved gallantly.
About four o'clock several of them were seen off the Rock-
battery " homeward bound," under a heavy press of canvass.
The larger vessel, of 75 tons, the Isis, belonging to Sir
Richard Bulkeley, came first, with a tremendous gaff-top-
sail. She looked a thing of life, and ran at great speed past
the flag-ship at 17 minutes past four o'clock. Mr. Ewart's
yacht, the Edith, of 69 tons, came rattling up very soon af-
terwards, also, in admirable style. The race between these
two, considering the difference of their tonnage, and the sea-
way encountered in a run of thirty miles, was not far from
being a drawn battle in the consideration of nautical men.
The beautiful appearance, lofty rig, and great. speed of both
yachts, was a theme of general admiration. The Union, Mr.
Lloyd's, and Mr. Scovell's Atalanta came up some time af-
terwards.

MERSEY CUP, value £5O, for Gentlemen's Yachts not ex-
ceeding 20 tons.
G. H. H. Spencer, Esqr.'s. Black Bess, 19 tons
J. C. Shaw, Esqr.'s Dickey Sam, 19 tons
R. C. Blake, Esqr.'s Amina, 19 tons
T. Bourne, Esq. names Ariel, 19 tons 0
G. M. Aveillis, Esqr.'s Tickler, 15 tons 0
A. Crooke, Esq. names Ino, 10 tons
These boats started at twelve o'clock, and as the course
lay between New Brighton, as the starting point, and East-
ham and back again to the goal opposite the Monks' Ferry,
the race, which was a very interesting one, between the first
and second boats, was visible throughout. An accident dis-
abled the Dickey Sans at an early period of the contest, and
a similar misfortune occurred to the Tickler. The Black
Bess came in a long way a-head of her competitors, which
did no t make their appearance till half an hour after she had
reached the flag-ship. A great deal of good sailing, however,
was exhibited.
BOROUGII PRIZE, value £lO, for sailing boats plying on the
river. £5 for the second boat.
H. Martindale's Elizabeth and Mary
W. Harrison's Good Intent
J. Kaye's Sperling
This match extended from the flag-ship round the south-
ernmost lazaretto on the starboard hand, and a boat off
Notes Hole, and back to the flag-ship. It was well con-
tested by the fist and second boats.

ROWING CAES.
The VICTORIA Cur, for four-oarß ed boats, value £4O, rowed
and steered by gentlemen amateurs, the second boat to
receive £l5. Two races and a tie.
Crusader
Unknown • • Dublin boat
Red Rover Liverpool boat
The race was from the flag-ship round two boats moored
off Rock Ferry on the starboard hand, and in length was 21
miles. It was done in twenty minutes, and was a very good
trial of strength and ability.
The VICTORIA Cur, second race.
Leander (London boat)
Echo (Liverpool boat)
This was a very good race, though it was clear to the spec-
tators from the commencement that the London boat must
win. The fine athletic forms of the Thames amateurs, and
their beautiful strokes, were the themes of universal admira-
tion. This race also occupied twenty minutes, and the

eander came to the " winning post" about a hundred and
fifty yards a-head of the Echo.
The VICTORIA TIE.

Leander (London boat)

Crusader (Liverpool boat)
Great interest was excited by this contest, and some heavy
bets were pending. 4to 1 were offered on the Leander, and
in some instances more. The boats went off nearly together,
the Leander. however, rather a-head. The Crusader rowed
up most gallantly, and a very severe struggle took place,
which eventually ended in favour of the Leander. The race
took the same time as the two which preceded it.
The CHAMPIONSHIP PURSE, value 100 guineas, for four-
oared boats. Open to the world.
Sons of the Thames (London boat) 1

,
Nymph (London boat)
Queen (Cove boat) ...

Sylph (Liverpool goat)
Eeva (Chester boat)
Bravo (Hull boat)
The offering of this prize showed the spirit, at least, of the
Liverpool amateurs, and spoke honourably to the liberality of
the subscribers and the committee. It was without limita-
tion, and therefore could scarcely be expected to fall to
country amateurs when London professional boatmen entered
the lists. The course was from a steam-boat below Wood-
side, and passing between the flag-ship and the shore, over
the same line as the Victoria. The distance was four miles.
The London boats had it all their own way from the com-
mencement, and elicited the warmest expressions of admira-
tion from the assembled multitude by the style in which they
acquitted themselves. The distance was done in twenty-two
minutes.

RIVER PRIZE, value £lO, for four-oared boats, rowed and
steered by Mersey boatmen ; £5 for the second boat.
Echo
Green Gig
Red Rover a

At starting the Echo took the lead, but the Green Gig al-
most immediately pulled across her bows, and, fouling, made
her lose two or three lengths before she could recover head-
way. Going to the flag-boat, the Green Gig went round the
wrong boat,- and although she got home ffrst, the prize was
awarded to the Echo. This match was one of the best and
most closely contested of the day, the boats being nearly to-
gether all the way. The Echo was rowed by firemen belong-
ing to the river ferry-boats, none of them exceeding 20 years
of age.

LAI3'IES' Cur, value £4O, for six-oared boats, manned and
steered by gentlemen amateurs.
Leander (London boat) 1
Wave (Liverpool boat)
Crusader (Liverpool boat)
Blueskin paid.
The London boat again took .the lead, her crew pulling
stoutly but gracefully, and it was again evident that the
Thames must win. The Wave was a long time getting head
way, and there was no probability of her recovering the lost
ground, hut the Crusader seemed intent on testing her op-
ponents to the utmost. Near Birkenhead slip there was an
immense concourse of boats iu clusters, but the Leander had
a free passage between them. The Crusader was close upon
her when a small sailing boat unexpectedly shot out from the
shore and stove her side in and lost her one oar. This un-
toward accident prevented the Crusader's crew from proceed-
ing farther, and they bore up for the flag ship to show the
the damage which they had sustained. The Leander and the
Wave went over the course, the same distance being between
them at the close as there was soon after starting, but the
London gentlemen were taking it very easily—though they
cleared the distance in eighteen minutes.
A PRIZE, value £5, to be rowed for by women.
Neston boat Red 1
Neso boat Blue 2

At starting the Neston ladies, though much younger than
their adversaries, laboured under what seemed to be a great
disadvantage, that of having a common heavy boat, whilst
the Neso fair ones had a light one in the gig style. The tide
ran very strongly against them, and they began in the usual
style, attempting to drive each other on the shingle as they
kept along shore for the benefit of the slack tide. For some
distance the Neso boat was several lengths a head, but on re-
turning both parties got more into the middle of the river to
have the assistance of the stream, and the heavy boat then,
manifestly, was best suited to the purpose in view—and
though the Neso crew strove hard, the Neston came in about
a hundred yards before the light one. The victors mani-
fested their joy in the most amusing, though rather uproari-
ous manner, jumping, clapping their hands and shouting, so
that all on shore were almost convulsed with laughter. This
at least was the most amusing race of the day.
The sports terminated a little before seven o'clock, and the
steam-boats from that time up to midnight were crowded
with parties returning home to Liverpool. After the regatta
there was a splendid exhibition of fire-works at Mr. Wil-
loughby's gardens (Birkenhead Hotel), where there was a
numerous and delighted company. There was also a splen-
did supper in the hotel, which was attended by most of the
gentlemen of the regatta committee, and many others of the
" first water" from this town and neighbourhood. There was
no ball, and we concur with one of our contemporaries that
it would be well in future to conclude with such an enter-
tainment, for the enjoyment of the fair patronesses of the
regatta.

The fire-works were more than usually brilliant, the pyro-
technic artist, Mr. James, of our town, having surpassed all
his former efforts, in honour of the occasion ; and the loud
and frequent plaudits of the company testified the pleasure
they derived from the splendid and varied exhibitions in his
line of art during the evening. Baloons were sent up, and
ascended in beautiful and placid style, and viewed by the
spectators till they became lost to sight. The rockets were
excellent, and the wheel and other proximate tire-works were
complicated and elegant.

The gentlemen of the Crusader's Club, entertained, at the
Birkenhead Hotel, their brother amateurs of the Pembroke
Club, of Dublin. They sat down to a most sumptuous din-
ner, and the meeting was characterized throughout by that
gentlemanly and kindly feeling which has hitherto charac-
terized—and which will, doubtless, be maintained—the
amateurs of this our northern metropolis, and those of the
capital of the Sister Isle. We cannot but remark that Mr.
Willoughby, whose hotel and grounds were thronged through-
out the day, was most attentive to all who passed by his
ferry, and most active, even individually, in preserving order
amidst multitudes, and ensuring, as far as possible, the
accommodation of all parties who came to the scene of
attraction, whether they became his guests or passed on to
the interior, or to the other hotels. The arrangements made
by this gentleman were indeed admirable, and the steamboats
were kept constantly plying to and from Liverpool for the
convenience of visiters to the regatta.

On the whole, the regatta was a decided hit, and we may
date from it the complete establishment of at least annual
similar aquatic sports on the Mersey. High and humble
seemed to enjoy themselves throughout the whole day. There
were few or .none of, those demoralizing concomitants that
deteriorate from the pleasure of horse-racing—innocent
amusement being the order of the day. The gentlemen who
headed the sports deserve the utmost credit for the spirit
with which they came forward in the first instance in pro-
viding the splendid prizes that were contended for, and espe-
cially for the judicious and admirable manner in which they
conducted the business of the day..

Such was the satisfaction given to young and old, that the
passengers in one of the crowded steam-boats, on their re-
turn to George's Pier, set up three hearty cheers for " ano:
ther regatta !"

As might have been expected some of the light-fingered
gentry were on the ground, and a few of the incautious were
consequently victimized. A gentleman, George Foster, Esq.,
of Everton, while in the passage of the Birkenhead Hotel,
felt his gold watch pulled from his pocket, and turned round
to endeavour to secure the depredator, who was at the time
observed by some others in flagrante delictu. The gentle-
man despoiled immediately laid hands upon the culprit, and
he was afterwards secured, and committed to the Bridewell.
Yesterday he was brought up for examination at the Town-
hall of Birkenhead. The sitting magistrates were the Venera-
ble Archdeacon Clarke, and J. D. Maddock, Esq. The pri-
soner was most ably defended by Mr. Wardle, of this town,
and after a " trial" about an hour and a half, the accused
was committed to take his trial at the next Chester assizes.
The prisoner, who was yesterday conveyed to his place of
durance, was fashionably dressed. He wore a blue surtout
coat, a fancy vest, and boots of the London cut. While the
examinations were going on, a " gentleman" of equally ele-
gant exterior, and doubtless one of the same crew of the
" Fake-away," which never shewed herself openly at the
regatta—hearing something said in disparagunent of his friend,
whom he claimed as a" cousin," made an exclamation from
amidst the crowd in the court, to the effect that he could tes-
tify to the perfect honesty of his friend. When called upon,
however, to come forward, he was " non est inventus." The
delinquent was immediately conveyed to Chester Castle. He
had money on his person, and will doubtless be strongly de-
fended. The prisoner gave his name as Samuel Easthope.