The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-13
THE YACHT SQUADRON.
The Appearance OF New London HarDor Tues
day MOrning-The Yachts Before the Race
10 Rocky Point-The Bright Bonts of the
SquadrOu-Floating Sea Weed.

! Hno Appoaranco OF new London HarDor Tues
day Morning-The Yachts Before the Race
TO Rocky POlnt-The Bright Bonts of the
| SquadrOn-Floating Sea Weed.
NEW LONDON. August T. 1868.
The beauty Of the yacht feet yesterday morning as
they were aligned from the dock OF the Pequot House
previous to the to Rocky Point will long be re.
membered not alone by the Jolly salts who can be
found every inch OF ground In this somnolent VII
lage, but BY many who think they have gazed on
everything that aquatic bloods can see Boat after
boat wheeled prettly into line while now and then
some Of the captains not liking the positions they
had taken, selected others, and but few minutes
before the gun from the yacht Eva warned them to
get ready were all satisfied. The harbor was
thronged with boats, wherries and all kinds OF
craft. and for a while the new steam yacht Idler
darted here and there about the jaunty craft, her
owner taking notes Of the appearance Of sails,
sailors and owners, as all listened atten-
lively for the signal to "be away" The
mettle Of some Of the larger vessels had
been tried so gloriously and to the astonshmcnt OF
rev sangulne yachtmen, who cannot be per-
suaded but that their vessels are the "clean-
ers" OF every similar craft ahoat so much speed
was developed from Glen Cove to this point that
really anxiety was depicted on the countenances or
many. The crew OF the Palmer looked over to the
Dauntless and whispered, In quiet words ABOUT her
chances While each Of the Phantom's cast side
long chances to tEe Josephlne then, mutterng some
late, directed their attention to the der and Fleet
wing; and then, down the line each and all took notes
OF the appearance OF his nelghbOr. Astern that
Old, successful aquatic gentleman, Captain Loper,
leaning quietly over the lee rail ohis new pretty and
swift slOOp, Magic, and close observer could see
Hitting over his usually pleasant face strange ex.
preSsions. something was wrong, but at last those
near him IT,. had a solution Of the sdilicuty;
to windward over to the almost ghost-llke
Palmer which he recently sold, he muttered There
10 vi a nlat hn al net a Ito
tipe to produce that 1t might beat any boat in the
club; but they are killing her; she is trimmed too
much by the head" and then the gun doomed over
the placid Sound, sending the vessels on the way,
and the veterans eyes gistened at the grand pic
| ture
| AS you already know the race for some thirty
| miles was as effective and spirited any ever
| sailed In America and but for the sudden dying out
OF the wind as the larger vessels were bowling mag
nificently along, greater establishment and greater
disappointment would have been developed in the
same aquatic blood that felt strangely after the sail
Among the yachts that have shown great improve
ment IN their sailing qualities this year none deserves
any more prominent mention than the neat clipper
Alice Last year she was unfortunate in every race,
and came near being one OF old Neptune's prizes by
the stupidity OF an antquated specimen Of oyster
| man called u 'pilOt," but this cruise all the black
marks against her previous record are erased, and
and little golden tints are dotted here and there for
her merry work and jauntsh appearance. The Fleet
wing also deserves especial mention, her appear
ance yesterday was only equalled by her magnificent
sailing. 1t has seldom been the fortune OF the Oldest
yachtmen, that date their aquatic experiences forty
years back, when they sailed their good lite boats
to see such an effective picture
WE'LL but then came the calm. just as the prize was
within the grasp OF the deserving Ones and the Hal
cyon the bauble. 1t was so unex pected to some
utterly disheartening, that there cross faces
and pursed up mouths worn by many until the hop
at the Pequot House, when the distraction OF toi cts
and OF the bewildering beauty displayed by the ladies'
made that matter OF the past.
This morning, agreeably to previous announcement.
the signal went up to the masthead OF the Phantom
to depart from the translucent waters OF New
London and "away to Newport" and at
Godspeeds, the fleet bowied away under a mag.
| nhcent breeze from the north to their destination.
New London has subsidized into It's former duness
formed gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, shopkeep-
and even the little ones roaming about with list
less looks and steps as friends had been lost and
30 1t is the town Is grave and sober usually but
| life and animation when the club signals OF the New
| York yacht clubs Haunt In her harpor.
The Cruise from New LSndon TO Newport
Incidents of the Cruiss-HOnor to the Menu
DRY Of Commodore Edwin A. Stovoss.
AI..SsE-.- H.-wPoRr, r. l., August L., 1868.
The yacht squadron left New London this morn
ing at quarter past seven O'Clock under very favor
able auspices. The wind blowing fresh from tnt
north cheered the hearts OF those who wanted full
sail and good breeze. Excitement had long beer
maintained in regard to the race; for It really re
solved itself into one from New London to this mag
niAcent port. Speculative gentlemen, those who's
pleasures are enhanced by having money involved II
such trials, bought pools OF which the following on
Of 900 will give idea OF their confdence In thu
sailing qualities of the vesseis:--Eva $3.50
Phantom, $50; Palmer, sIOo; lder, t1a5; Fleet
wing, SIS; Dauntless, $40, the balance being
| divided among the fleet. But few miles from New
London the wind became still rresher, and flowing
| from the same direction and approaching Watch
Hill the contendng yachts presented sight Of mag
| nincence rarely seen. The Ider which obtained
fine start held the advanced position demonstrate
Ing that she too, one OF the crafts the squad
ron to be feared while the Feetwing, In her aunty
way followed Beautifully, with the Phantom and
balance OF the Meet In group, presented fine ap.
pearance from the shore; The booming OF
| cannon and the waving Of handkerchiefs, with
merry shouts from many terra 1rma, attested the
interest that they took in the The aquatic con.
test went on In this manner with but little variation
until Point Judith was reached, and here the wind
blowing still fresher the Point was passed the Idler
stil ~ advance ,, WITH tne Feetwng next and the
Hill obtained this position; next came the Halcyon,
with the Palmer following, the smaller boats being
boats hauled on the wind TO Newport. The Phan.
ward. while the idisf, Fieetwins and 6sant.
| less went to the northward. With lacking
ali he s s %c
latter being so close that biscuit could be tossed
from each to the others deck Thus they sped to the
| goal, which In the matter Of the successful yacht
was TO be decided BY the rst arrival at the ighshp
anchored between Beaver Tail light and Benton's
Idler first at Q quarter past eleven O'Clock, Phan.
| tom second, Hacyon third, Fleetwng fourth and
| Eva fifth, the others not being placed. During the
| last struggle. near the mouth Of the harbor, the
| Phantom carried away her foresail while at
Point Judith the Feetwing lost her stayssiL
and the JULIA which had LEFT Newport with the JUL
cite to welcome the visiting vessels, carried away
| her foretopmast There was Gil the wind the most
ardent yachtemen could desire and the picturesque
appearance Of the boats sailing WAS OF character to
rouse enthusiasm In the heart Of the most unpoetl
| cal landsman. The feet may be considered extreme
ly fortunate, nom its starting point at New YORK.
there have been many favorng and splendid breezes
The yacht Cytie, about which there u beautiful as
well a. strange story, that OF being sailed and wholly
commanded BY a. blind man. The Oracle and White
Wing are now In tho harbor, and from this time viii
/ Join all festivities. Tomorrow will be devoted TO
such measures AZ will be decided upon TO do honor
! to the memory Of ex Commotore Stevens, who re-
Gently died In Paris. Minute guns will be nred at
meridian. On Friday there will be o race TO stake
boat on Block Island and return for the service OF
plate presented by Thomas q. Durant and saturday
| the souadron viii undoubtedly leave for New Bed