The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-19
YACHTING.

YACHTING.
Proposed International Yacht IRace-Tho
Owner OF the Cambria Challenges All
America for the Cup Won In 1881.
The prospects or the yachting carnival next season
are brilliant indeed, and should the proposed ar
rangements be carried out 1t WILL probably, be the
most exciting on record. The owner OF the schooner
yacht Cambria, which was victorious in the contest
around the Isle OF Wight, defeating the Sappho and
three first class English yachts, has forwarded the
subjoined challenge to the President OF the New
York Yacht Club. The glorious achievement
OF the America in 1851, when she carried
or the Queen vctoria's Cup has not been
forgotten on the other side. and inspired
with confidence because an American yacht which
perhaps injudicously entered into competition was
vanquished English yachtmen are delighted at the
prospect Of additional trumphs. Yet they may be
disappointed and be compelled once again to aban-
don the hope OF superiority. So far matters have
not been fully arranged, but 1t is to be hoped that
nothing will be left undone to bring about IN
ternatona wherein the true merits OF competi-
tors viii be brought to the test.
The following were the terms Of the challenge
sent by Mr. J. Ashbury, the owner OF the Cambria, to
the president Of the New York Yacht Club
SCHOONER YACHT CAMBRIA, !
OFF SOUTH COAST OF SPAIN, Oct. 3, 1868.
To THE PRESIDENT OF THE New YORK YACHT CLUB
SIR-As the owner OF the English schooner yacht
Cambria, which some time ago won the race round
the Isle OF Wight against the American schooner
Sapph0 and three crack English vessels, cannot
sci and also my inability to nave remained IN Eng
land to again race her round the Wight or across to
o. Of and On cruise ag
which postponed, at great Inconvenience In order
to give me the pleasure OF being courteous TO the
extent OF allowing me TO enter against so splendid
vessel az the Sappho, the property OF an American
gentleman. and am in hopes this communication
will show the owners Of the Sappho that they may
probably have an opportunity Of again testing her
qualities against the Cambria, and in American
waters.
All Englishmen believe that, taken. as whole, the
art OF yacht building received great stimulus by the
acknowledged victories OF the America in 1851, and
now equally hope and believe that the leading English
yachts can hold their own against the world; but,
America excepted, there are no yachts which we
our vessels OF the last few years. All yachtsmen as
wen as others, duly appreciate the compliments your
New York Club have paid us by, from time to time
sending vessels over TO this country and Is source
OF much regret on this side OF the water that those
compliments have not been recprocated by any lead
ing yacht club deputing one or more OF their crack
vessels to 90 to New York waters for racing pur-
poses.
to OF the leading clubs last winter To send TO New
York an invitation for two or three vessels TO come
over In time for the races at Cowes and Ryde this
year, and then for several OF our leading yachts 10
sail them back to New York; and in order TO tempt
our friends over here proposed that special sub
ECrlptiOnS should be solicited from eacn member OF
yacht club wherewith to form large fund forgiv-
ing splendid prizes, irrespective Of what the clubs
might give. At the meeting In question onered to
subscribe any sum up to $500 and TO enter the Cam
bria for the return race to New York. / mention
this in egotstical spirit but simply to show that
desire to fairly test the merits OF my vessel against
those OF America in rough well as smooth waters.
Unfortunately this arrangement could not be carried
out as most OF the owners generally leave OF yacht
ing after tho Wight races Tor grouse and partridge
Before my yachting time your schooner America
y.nIt hntan VyiN fhn IN A.
Majesty to the Royal Yacht Squadron. and am led
TO believe that the New York yacht clubs have tho
| In question TO be sailed for In New York waters 10
any English yacht which will compete Tor !t. 1t il an
| esteemed honor for any Epglishman TO win ~ amy
time the Queens prize, but venture TO think none
| would be so much valued as the one 30 trumphantly
away s'I Dy BE- ace a
and reasonable to all concerned now have the
pleasure TO ask you to kindly state to your commit
| the possession OF the cup in question =
Flsay-I propose that during or before the season
OF 1869 the New York Yacht Club select their clan-
| pion schooner OF tonnage not TO exceed ten per
| cent Of tho Thames measurement QSs tons) OF the
Cambria.
.Secondly-The vessel referred to would desire to
arrive in England In ample time To take part In
the matches OF tho Royal Yacht Squadron ut Cowes
and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club at Ryde for which
races she VIII doubtless be permitted to enter, ON
time allowance and measurement as per rules OF
those clubs. These take place early IN August,
SIX to eight or nine In number, round the island
sixty miles, the Victoria and Queens courses also
/ aDOul slStyI, anu pTuDbDiI W SHSIooulB
back. The prizes would be the annual queens Cup
presented to the Royal Yacht Squadron. two cups OF
fl00 each from the towns OF Cowes and Rydc, and
several flO0 and ESQ cups, and may add that II the
yacht could arrive about month earlier she would
he in time for OF the best ocean races oI the
Royal Thames Yacht Club.
At these races your representative vessel would
| meet all the best and fastest English and Scotch
yachts--aInon9 Others scho0nera Guinivcre. Alarm,
Cambria, Aline, Egeria, Gloriana, Albertnc, Blue
Bell Pantomime, Gelert, DC. yaws Lulra and julia
i cutters 0imara Condor, Fiona, Arrow, 1c.-and
would have fair opportunity Of testing her quail
ties during the height OF the Isle Of Wight yachting
season and with the temptation or many prizes
highly valued and much sought after, but not for
their mere intrinsic value.
| Thirdiy-On or about the 1st September 1 would
racc your vessel from the Isle OF wight TO New York
for q cup or service OF silver, value ESQ; no time
allowance aud no restrictions Us TO canvas or mum
Der OF hands.
Fo,tTthiu-I would them al an early date, race the
l said vessel round Long Island on the Royal Thames
Yacht Club measurement, and their time allowance,
two out OF three over this course 10 decide az
TO the championship and the nna possession Of the
Americas Queens Cup OF 1851; " lost would pre-
sent the New York Yacht Club or the owner OF tho
successful vessel with cup, value 100 guineas, or
/ I would race any other schooner OF about my ton
mage over the course on the said conditions,
the competing vessel to have been previously pro-
i n0unced by the New York Yacht Club the fastest
vessel In America Of her size and class, and provid
ing tho said vessel had not been built since the date
OF this communication and was In all respects n
At your earliest convenience shall be glad to hear
/ from Iou or tho club secretary on the subect.
JAMES AsHBURY.
| p. S.-Please address your reply to No. Eastern
| terrace, Brighton.