The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-30
YACHTING.


The New Cruising Ground of Or Yacht,ncn.
The ocean yacht race of December 1885, gave d
great impetus 20 yachting in this country aud its
effects have been OF such nature as to heighten the
standard Of our yachtmen over the entire civilized
world They are no longer content to SAIL their trim
crafts in the smooth waters OF land-locksd harbors
ana inland seas for two or three months ofthe year.
but. like true sons OF Neptune, they now eagerly
thirst for the broad expanse OF old Ocean never
feeling 80 happy as when careering over the sresied
waves, and instead OF laying up the boats nine
months out of every twelve many Of our yachlmen
now enjoy the pleasures and brave the dangers Of the
deep throughout the entire year. There il no deny
ing the fact that during the past two years yachting
in thls country especially, has wonderfully improved.
We see this in the augmentation of numbers and in
the larger and better class OF boats that are irpn
time to time being added our various yacht squad
rons. With this Improvement ami growth VI
yachting 1t was but natural TO expect that our
citizen sailors would extend the sphere of their
abors and pleasures beyond the contracted limits
OF prescribed cruising grounds and, as II by unani
Mediterranean the West india isands--for their
winter cruises. The yacht Eva for several weeks
has been pooghing through the sunny southern
waters and the Henrietta, with General j. ]. Van
Allen and son, OF this city, will sail to-day, weather
permitting, for the Bermudas and Windward
Islands.
The yacht Henrietta upon this present cruise will
he absent from the port Of New York for two or
three months, and during that time II is thought
she will visit more islands and cities than
any other single vessel OF The New York
Yacht Club that ever left our waters on
an excursion OF pleasure. Crossing the Cul
stream, Genera, Van Allen will make ST. Georges
Bermuda his first stopping place. From there the
Henrietta viii visit the Bahamas and the Wndward
Islands and will proceed thence 10 the Spanish
Main. Returning. she Will drop into the harD0r5 OF
Vera Cruz, New Orleans, Key West and some Of the
southern cities on the Atlantic seaboard 0Vhat IL
will readily he seen the projected cruise. IL one OF
considerable BREATH, and Will doubtless prove
not only beneficial in point Of health TO those
pleasant. Than the West Indies there IL
no betteg cruising ground Tor yachtmen
N the world. yhe various keys and larger islands
are famous for fruits, the waters TEEN with all kinds
Of hsh, and game ii not scarce Aside from these
Inducements the waters are admirably suited for
pleasure sailing, and, IN case OF emergency safe
harDors can always be made In few hours. Under
these circumstances It Is presumable that the cruise
OF the Henrietta VIII prove as enjoyable as Is an
ticipated ny those who go In her. Next year we may
expect 10 hear OF number OF American yachts wln-
iering among these islands instead Of laying idly
up in cold Northern harbors, 10 become covered
with barnacles ana have their hulls worm eaten
Already number OF the largest vessels In the New
York yacht fleet booked To cross the Atlantic
next spring. ana when they return home IN the fail
with their spray dashed commanders many OF their
prows viii IN all probability he turned southwark.
The Henrietta, whose qualities have been
peatedly tested Is schooner rugged and Is 205 tons
burden. The winner OF the great ocean yacht race,
her history IL too well known to need a repetition
here suffice 1t 70 say that her keel Is not altogether
d stranger Southern waters. she having done good
service against the rebels during the late war the
waters Of Florida and South Carolina. She has
been thoroughly oyerhauled and fitted up for the
present cruise, aid Is today stanch when rst
launched. In addition 10 General Van Allen and
son she win carry crew OF nine men, officers and
men all told.