The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1867-03-16
The Great Ocean Race.
The kHdaeity OF the MISUNDERSTANDING Dash
and EOldne>s Of the American character.
tCouIrnents q the Lo1dsu Times Dec. =.


The Americans have once more d3Re a thing
never attempted by any other people They have
three pleasure yachts 10 against each other
az headl0ng speed across the broad and stormy
ocean. from New York to COwes. ana not content
with the longest race, they have added 20 the dir
ing feat by TewIriiHg the victor with abont the
largest money prize ever proposed IN such con
test
The Hstrietta gestt anI F3sstIriag started from
New York at one o'clock r. ~ the ltth inst,
and the FIRST Of the three which arrived ~ COwes
was to receive prize of 100000. or no less than
EiS.OOO. The victory hIs been already won. At
forty minutes past P. W. on Christmas day. the
Hearisttt appeared of Cowes. having accomplished
the passage from New York IN fourteen days and
four hours. What this means the reader will under
stand when say that the quickest passage across
the Atlantic ever yet made by sailing vessel was
only performed IN thirteen days and eight hours
In fact. the voyage would have been fair one
even for n powerful steamer The uupire IN the
match left New York in the Scotia. and did not get
there much too soOn - see the winner appear. The
two rivals OF the Hatrstta were only few hours
behind her
No observer Of American character will h. sur
prised at the Interest which this unprecedented
contest excited on the other side Of the Atlantic.
For some diys befCr, the start New York was alive
with excitement. and sensation was more intense
from the very cveuucss Oi the match Ii does not
appear indeed. that the HHristI was the fay0ri;e:
odds were, laid 10 the last minute upon the Ees,I
though The. beauty and promise of the other two
were thought astonishing. There l. only one cir
cyIuIstluce which NAV he supposed. perhaps, To
explain the result. The eve OF the master i
ag- in her himself
The. Fssst and ID" F7ee,,riry were entrusted to
their respective masters. while their owners remain
e., in New York. but the Atlantic cable viii have
COMPLETED the mlTvels OF TIM story. and the issue
Uf the race will have been known IN America a.
soon ~ IL wls published. y communication dis
patched from our Government to the United States
Consul AZ southampton Is evidence not only Oi the
interest taken in the event, but of the perilous
character Of the Itself: the fiectHg II VIII be
observed had six of her swept overheard by
mil III lnr A.
ed t. hold himself in readiness by the authorities
% OTTER the racing vessels the assistance oi the
dock ard and the compliment was deservedly paid
not only - these representatives OF iT"adIy ana
kindred people. but the daring spirit OF adven-
tire in which the match had been conceived and
executed There H. indeed. other such match
on record. Some of our merchantmen have
occasionally raced against each other from Chna
10 England but these were large clipper ships
striving Tor few hours start in the way OF the
business. Ii reserved for the Americans 10
send three yachts do in the Atlantic what Is u-1-
ally done in the smooth waters Of an inland s and
20 carry a of this kind. not for a few hours
but for u wh0l, fortnight through night and day
The success however. Of the HsftTettG L. ~ com
pIstr A. that Of the america few years ago. and
far more surprising. The america was simply an
example of new principles deNterOusly aip!leu %
ship-bGilIiuZ. the ocean yacht race has brought
high national qualities into play; but IN both cases
the. Americans were true to their own pretersions
and shot clear ahead Of the old world II l. re.
rharkabIe that yachting. in which the Americans
have thus exce.Ied us has always been regarded
g. the peculiar pastime Of England and u J. true
enough no doubt. that IN no country / the pIr-uI
invested with much favor and popularity In
our vachtsmcu take things comfortably. We ouilc
our pleasure boats really for pleasure. and sail II
them for pleasure. An EugI-hman's yacht i In
home and the home often II his family. too. io
weeks together and considerations of convenience
are allowed &c prepOuderafe in the design anc
equipment Of the craft. The Americans are boti
less domestic and adventurous they wan
Yachts which c-u do what other yacht la
ever done. and they get them Perhaps the com
forts 0f these. vessels might not he exactly suited u
tastes. but they teach US something, ncFerthe
less It Is we'll for progress that there l. major
which knows not the trammsls of routine in'
sh=inks from experiments. however hazardol
or aud1ciOur. The Americans have always an'
naturally been distinguished for ship building an,
seamauship. They have set Us the example IA bti
a dozen new models and they are pursuing th
same course now: but shall perhaps not O
wrong in considering this ocean yacht race a eA
prcssve Of another and more general spirit, Whlcl
nas been remarked for some tim" past as on IA
increase in IN. States The Americans are last be
coming a sporting people. They are establlsnn.
races and conducting them a they are conducls,
iu the Old World That irresistible spirit whicl
tral-igJIres whole metropolitan population 0i
the Derby day Is rapidly developing itself on IN
other side of the Atlantic, Gud Te may exps;