The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-01


other two. Nevertheless the people that have been
up there state that they found the natives very
friendly and exceedingly anxious 10 enter into COM
mercial relations with them.
Naval Rcgatta-Challenge from United
States 10 British Tars-American Victory.
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP ONEIDA
HIOGA BAY, Japan, June &c, 1868.
.On Tuesday last our second cntter crossed the
bows of her Britannia Maestys ship Zebra and tossed
their oars, thus challenging the crew OF the latter TO
a race. The challenge was promptly accepted and
the following terms were agreed upon:-The boats
TO start on Monday, the 22d inst at five F. NJ. from
a stake boat anchored between the two ships and
pull round another boat two and half nautical
miles distant, for sum OF $780,
At "a few minutes before five P. NJ, the hour for
starting both boats manned by their respective
crews and pulled to the point OF departure Our
boat was black and the men were dressed in blue,
while their opponents boat was white and the crew
dressed in the same color, which was very favorable
in distinguishing their positions during the entire
race
The umpires were on board the steam launch be-
longing to the French ship Duplex. whose captain
kindly offered it TO convey them over the course.
little before five gun from our launch gave no
tce for preparation, and was followed by another TO
start at h. 3. min. % sec. Both boats started OF
beautifully, the black boat leading for about nfty
yards, when the white one overhauled and passed
her length, drawing cheers from their ships COM
pany Our rigging was filed with our men, who
cheered TO encourage their companions, who, al
though as vet had never pulled race, had the
courage TO run against the champion Of four races
ana i believe the fastest cutter in the English
squadron.
The hackers Of the English boat were elated at this
advantage gained by their avorite, and offered bets
freely which were readily taken UP by our officers
who were not to be disheartened by all their talk and
the slight advantage their boat had gained.
The white boat held her own, keeping boats
length ahead, black pulling In her wake until within
fve-eighths or threequarters Of mile OF the stake
boat when the black commenced to lay back to her
work. and for few minutes the race was very eX-
citing; but the black slowly gained and on rounding
the stake boat was one hundred yards ahead.
This drew forth cheers upon cheers from our ships
company, who offered to give two to one on the black
but found no takers.
The black continued to gain slowly until the race
was ended at SO minutes so seconds past five. The
white coming in at 81 minutes As seconds past flve
being 1fty-fve seconds behind
Thus browning our first race with victory.
The coXswain of the Iebra's boat handed to our
cOXswain a small manufactured chicken cock as
their trophy. This cock seems to have had an event.
ful life of IL. 1t from the Hartford by the
Princess Royal, who lost 1t to her Maestys iron
clad steamer Ocean, who in time had to hand 1t over
to the ZEBRA and was won from them by boat
pulling their first race, and by them Will be held
until some faster boat takes II away. Although Onr
beat u.s. and have challenged us to try over again
on the list OF July. The challenge was quickly &C.
cepted.
The second race was pulled on the Sd of July and
ended in the defeat OF the English boat in forty-fve
seconds, the entire race pulled in AZ minutes 45
seconds, being twelve minutes less than the former
race