The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-10

TIE SCENE ON THE wHARyES AND IN THE HAK-
aoR-rHE sTART-THE RAcE-ExCrTEMENT OF
THE spEcrAroRs-rR HOME sTRErcH-THE
WINNERS.
The hearts OF our yachtmen were gladdened
on Saturday by the sight of brilliantly clear
skv. Not cloud was TO be seen, except a few
low banks that hung near the horizon, and old
Sol poured down his rays with fervor that
comfort. Al an early hour the streets and
wharves we're filled with eager boatmen anx-
ious to put their craft in good sailing trim.
Business was comparatively neglected, and
every one who could steal few hours from
their employments sought some place where
they could view the race. The water presented
as animated a scene as the land, for every
thing that could be digniied with the name OF
boat, and was capable of floating, was man
ned with an eager crew and launched upon the
bosom of the deep. In addition to the three
stea ners, the Fannie, Emile and Rockland,
which accompanied the contending yachts,
there we're number of pleasure craft Of all
dimensions, the different pilot boats, coasters,
batteary and in fact motley crowd OF every
thir < that could sport rag of canvas. These
were all filed with spectators, many Of them
ladies, who, in their desire to see the race, en-
tertained no fears Of being rocked in the cradle
of the deep. The breeze, which was light and
variable early in the morning, blew stlf1y from
the southland about one o'clock. This continu-
ed With slight changes throughout the race.
THE YACHTS.
A few minutes before 1 o'clock the four
yachts which had been sailing idly around the
harbor, changed their course and soon assum-
ed the positions which had been assigned to
them. The Maggie Mitchell was to the
south'ard, the Unknown next, then the Ella
Anna, and lastly the Eleanor, which occupied
the northern buoy, nearest the wharf. After
they had ranged in line not motion could be
seen, not a sail quiyered, and they lay as idly
as painted ship upon a painted ocean," This
quiescence was not of long duration. The warn
ing gun from the cutter missed fire through
the failure of the friction primer, but even this
was sufficient to awaken activity aboard the
yachts. Men we're seen gliding about, and as
the o'clock gun doomed across the water, the
ibis were raised, the anchors slipped, and the
Yachts, like mettled coursers, dashed off
soer the glad waters of the dark blue sea-"
The Maggie Mitchell took the lead, followed
closely BY the Ella Anna aud Unknown, the
Eleanor gallantly bringing up the rear and
threatening to gain on her competitors.
TIE RACE.
Each boat was in excellent trim, and was
commanded BY old and experienced sailors.
pilots and SEQ captains, who knew every foot
of water, and to whom the numerous shoals
and channels Of the harbor were familiar as
household words. Each hoat was assigned o
Judge, who represented the opposing yacht
and decided if the rules 81 the race were
conformed to. In consequence Of the differ,
ence in the size Of the four yachts two races
were determined upon-the first to be contest
ed for by the Ella Anna and the Eleanor, and
the second by the Maggie Mitchell and the
Unknown. These boats were manned with
picked crews, and were called as follows:
The Ella Anna was sailed by Capt. EdAard
Morse; her Judge, A. O. Stone, sailed in the
Eleanor.
The Eleanor was sailed by Capt. Tom.
Daniels, and was accompanied by Mr. Thad.
Street, the Judge OF the Ella Anna.
The Maggie Mitchell was sailed By Capt.
Sam Bell. DR.. ". q. Tarrant was the Judge
of the Unknown.
The Unknown was sailed by Capt. Jno. Fer
guson assisted by Capt White. MIR. R. s.
Bruins was the judge OF the Maggie Mitchell
The course selected for the race was the same
that was followed on the previous occasion, viz:
From the buoy off Southern wharf, north and
around Cummings Point buoy, thence around
the Weehawken Lightship, thence around
buoy southeast Of White Point Gardep, passing
to the north of the Cummings Point buoy,
thence up the river to and around the stake
boat in Wando river, of Remley's Point, and
then back to Southern wharf, passing between
it and stake boat placed at distance ofabout
one hundred yards from the wharf.
All aboard the yachts worked with vii,
and were not encumbered with store clothes,
but were prepared for any emergency
that might occur. The keels of the ra-
GERS had scarcely cut the waves when the ex-
element which had before been held in check
became almost unrestraina bic. Greenbacks
were freely produced, aad bets 'against the
aeld,' con time," ''for the homo stretch
and other technical points, both odd and even,
were taken as soon as offered. The decks Of
the steamers were crowded and as these kept
in full view of the yachts the entire course of
the race could be seen by those on board. The
wharves, the battery, and the housetops in
that vicinity were filled with spectators, who
we're armel with field glasses.
The Maggie Mitchell, which had surged
ahead at the start, was soon overtaken and
paesed by the Ella Anna; the former was also
passed by the Eleanor, and at this stage of the
race the sight was extremely beautiful. The
two larger boats were abreast Of each other.
and both ahead Of the smaller yachts, which
latter were also sailing side by side. This po-
sition was retained until passing Fort Ripley,
at eleven minutes past one, when the Eleanor
took in her fying. jib and went about on the
starboard tack, it is supposed for the sake Of
getting the tide, there being stronger current
on the other side Of the channel. This tack
threw her about mile astern, and ehe was
passed by both Of the smaller boats. The
ground thus lost was not regained during the
race, though she strained every nerve, and