The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-23

The Great International Yacht Race.
from tie London Daily News, Dec. 81

The Great International Yacht 9s.scc.
From tie London Daily News, Dec 81
The iirst week in December is not precisely the
yachting season in the British Channel Is not the
depth of the dead season even for the turf? Mos.
English yachtmen, who are not cruising in SUMMER
lltitudes in these days. are probably mounted on
hunters instead OF schooners and careering over
sti1 country instead OF a heavy sea ami following
the mOtionsp Of the master instead OF the commo-
lore But while turinen have nothing better to do
10 bet next years events, yachmen may be ex-
cused for lighting over again by the ireside the coa
tests OF last summer and forecasing the elories OF
the summer Of 1909. Just now there comes from be-
You'd the Atlantic very gallant and chiyalrous
challenge, addressed TO The gentlemen OF the New
York Yacht Club by Mr.. James Ashbury, the
fortunate owner or one OF the most brilliant OF racing
cruisers that adorn sngssh waters, whose victories
nave been almost a9 frequent the matches she mas
sailed in, ana who defeated the American schooner
yacht Sappho, hand over hand, In the match round
the Wight last autItmn-tnc famous Cambria. IL
wal be rendered by those OF our readers who are
interested in such matters that tAs Sappho WAS
towards the close OF the yachting months III the
Soent and that immediately her arrival In Cowes
Roads the object OF her visit was formally announced
to the Royal Yacht squadron IN courteous aud
spirited letter, inviting the iest end eetest OF the
English prize winners to try conclusions with her
round the hlaDu The challenge so galantly
given "a gaentiy accepted. The match came
OIL, and the Sappho, which had been hailed
BY the most knowing eyes ut Cowes AZ a truly
formidable antagonist, was, Notwithstanding her
splendid powers ut some points OF sailing and espe-
ciay on the wind literally s.nowhere', rom begtn-
nng TO end. The accident 10 her jbboom In Sandown
Fay excited much regret and sympathy among her
competitors but had nothing 10 do with the result,
which from the start TO tue finish doubtful.
every justice was done to tie sappho BY those VINO
hal charge OF her that day. And there were land
doubtless si arc) many Keen critics OF her perform
ance, who ready to promise tho Sappho better
fortune longer cruise, say round the Eddystonc
and hack from the Iizard 10 Long Island During
the weeks remained In the waters of the WighC
her reputation-so far AZ least AZ what she might
have .'done" or might don under other circum-
stanccs-was decidedly on The increase All things
considered, however there seems 10 he lltte
able doubt that the owner Of the Sappho had
somewhat mscalculated the qualifications OF the
English yachts, and had not sufficiently taken
into account the Improvement IN construction, In
| trim and IN gear which English yachts owe TO the
example Of the America in 1861, and which Mr. ].
Ashbury bas 80 gracefully and cordially acknow-
lodged IN has letter 10 the President Of the New York
Yacht Club II has been hintcd that the Sappho
| by means what Mr.. Ashbury now very properly
demands for competing vessel one previously
pronounced by the New York Yacht Club os the
fastest vessel In America OF her size and classy and
that there are American yachts well able TO lead our
wcAedess craft a dance hide dreamed OF by the
Cambria and her sisters. It may be so. The three
powerful New Workers which raced across the At
laDtic In the dead OF winter showed that While We
have advanced our American cousins have not stool
stlIl.
| OF our famous Cambria, ON behalf OF England to
.all Amerca;' we heartily hope, Tor the credit OF
Enash. and we should always be understood to IA.
cludc Irish, yachtmen, that II VIII be taken up with
| eager confidence on both sides.
Nr Asnpury proposes, IN substance ihat the Ame-
rican champion schooner shall arrive mere next
| mer. I'm good time to take part In the principal
| matches in English waters during the season. At
the close OF these contests he would race the Amcri-
can from the Isle OF Wight to New York for SILVER
service valued at $780, and subsequently three heats
| round Long island the winner Of two out OF the
three heats TO become the findl pOssessor OF the
American Queens cup Of 1917 and, II the loser MIR.
Aphbury would present hundred guinea cup 10 the
New York act club TO the winner. In the English
matches the American would sail according 10 the
rules of the English clubs; In the match across the
Atlantic there would be RESTRICTIONS 10 canvas
hands: aud In The matches ut New YORK the royal
Thames measurement and time allowance would be
accented both sides. IL might perhaps lie better.
IA natter Of form. 10 accep, tue New ork iacht
| Club rules In American waters; but this IL not q
| point OF serious difference
on the whole. MIR Ashhury's conditions win, we
| believe. be found unexceptonabc, and we venture
to insist that return visit Is due and overdue, nom
British yacntnen 20 their kinsmen .bcond the sun
set.u Everything that contributes 10 a brotheuy
| feeling between the OLD country and the new must
always have our wgTiuest wishes. And there IL, per
htps no liner field for q generous Interchange o.
good Offices and cordial emulation ~ sk ana en-
ierprlse than Tint common element O the national
greatness oi Us Dut.l--thc sea-