The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-24


that against st. Domingo-in disgrace.
Yachting I'm America-The New York
Yacht Squadron.
The prospects of the New York Yacht Club
for the approaching season are unusually bril-
liant A year ago Vice Commodore Kings
land resigned his position, having grown
temporarily tired of yachting and disposed of
his yacht; but when the Alarm--a splendid
vessel and one of the fastest in the squad
ron-returned from the West Indies, Mr..
Kingsland, unable to resist the temptation,
purchased her and again became actively
connected with the club, though not in
an official capacity. This year the club has
lost the valuable presidency of Commodore
Stevens, deeply to the regret Of every member;
but, in spite Of this, the revival of interest
among yacht owners and the number Of new
yachts now being built justify. our predictions
of splendid season. A few years ago the club
seemed to be dull and dropping, and its funds
insufficient to carry out its objects; but the
adoption of higher rate of subscription
so increased the efficiency Of the members that
ell are now active and energetic. The
result of this practical reconstruction is that
the club now has full treasury and most
promising future. Its performances last season
were decidedly commendable, and this year
1t is probable that all former efforts will
be surpassed. Like Congress, the club once
had its Thad Stevens and its Jack Rogers,
always bitter, satirical and opposed to every
thing that anybody else proposed always
talkative. irrepressible, hopping up upon every
occasion and spinning out nonsense by the
yard but they have been turned adrift in
course of time, and perfect harmony and una
nimity now prevail. There is consequently
nothing to impede the progress of the club.
Besides the match races between individual
members, we are promised regatta, review
and the customary squadron cruise. We pre-
sumo that the reform inaugurated last year will
be adhered to, for it certainly proved very sue
cessful. Instead of having the ladies accom-
pany the yachts at the regatta, steamer will
be provided for members of the club only, and
the ladies will be invited to witness the review
a day or two after. At the review steamer
will convey the guests 10 the rendezvous;
the yachts will manGuvre by signals, in
true man o war style, and then the ladies will
be transferred to the yachts for short excur-
sions, returning to sumptuous lunch on the
steamer when the Commodore gives the word.
Upon the squadron cruise, in August, it is pro-
bable that the yachts will 60 to Boston, as such
a trip has been in contemplation for several
seasons, and most hospitable welcome is GER
tain. If this be resolved upon, we understand
that steamer will be chartered for the
conveyance of those members who do not own
| yachts. The expense will be but triding in
comparison with the enjoyment of the party.
| In addition to all this, il must be remembered
that the club holds the cup won by the famous
yacht America in England as q challenge
cup, open to the competition of all foreign
clubs and it is not improbable that some
enterprisng English yachtsman may be bold
enough to lay claim to IL during the summer.
New yachts are now being built, not
singly, but by scores, in all parts Of this
country, and of course they will have
| to be tested against the established favo-
rites. Before the excitement caused by these
| private matches has subsidized, we hope TO see
an international yacht race, which is the only
thing now needed TO give the New York Yacht
Club universal prestige.
IF our national Congress could only control
| its Thad Stevens, its Jack Rogers and all its
other incorrigibles as easily as our Yacht Club
has done we might safely predict as bright a
future for the country as for the club. Then
we should engage in a friendly international
contest with England, not alone as to which
Power possesses the fastest yachts, but in
regard to commerce, manufactures trade,
finances and literature. And thus the
reform in the Yacht Club has its moral, which
should not pass UNDECIDED. Nor Is this sub
ject unworthy of consideration In another point
of view. The present Congress is about to
take away the subsidy paid to New England in
the shape Of fishing bounties under the pre-
tence of supporting nursery for scamen. The
experience Of the recent war has shown that, II
the New England fisheries have been nurseries
for seamen, few OF those who have been
so long coded by the government were ready
to volunteer TO defend it, Ships sent to New
England harbors 10 recruit were obliged 10
send TO New York depots for their men. Blu,
now that the fishing bountics are to he with
drawn the government will have a genuine
school for sailors IN our Yacht Club as well as
in our merchant marine, and that without the
expenditure of fifteen millions of dollars for
the purpose. The ocean races in which our
yachismen now indulge, and the ocean cruises
which will be in favor before five years have
passed. and the man-o'-war discipline which is
strictly maintained, will benefit not only the
yacht owners. but also the seamen Employed
aud in case of n maritime war the govern.
ment will have n small but efficient volunteer
navy ready TO play no unimportant part in the