The New York herald., 1868-03-08
YACHTING i.

~
Movements Of the EngiisI, CIubs-The Linita--
tioa Of Canvas-Debate In the Rsy.l London
Yachs Club. ..r .rt
lFrom Bells Life In London, Feb. 22l
The adjourned January meeting, together with the
February meeting Of the Royal London Yacht Club,
was held on Monday evening last ut the Caiedonan
Hotel, Adelphi terrace, Mr.. Arcedeckne the Commo-
dore, In the chair, when the room was crowded hy
members, including large number Of eminent
yachtmen.
The minutes Of the January meeting having heen.
read
Mr.. CHARLwooD proceeded to address the Meeting
as to the limitation Of canvas and in doing 40 said
that the minutes having been read, 10 put those
absent on the last occasion in full possession of what
transpired at the January meeting, 1t now became
his duty to bring under their notice the further
discussion Of the matter. During the month
which had elapsed the committee had availed
themselves Of the delay to revise and in his opinion
considerably improve upon, the alterations as sug-
gested at the January meeting. Having explained
the circular as mended he observed that the princi-
pal alteration was the prohibition OF squaresails In
cutters; the committee had thought right to attach
some weight to the staten ent made by one yacht
owner that squaresais not being now in general use
among cutters, 1t would be putting the owners OF
that description Of craft to considerable expense to
compel them to purchase sail not often used; and,
therefore, although his colleagues had felt that in
strict justice this sail ought to be retained as 1t was
were provided with it, they decided 70 omit that in
cutters. They had also slightly amended the
sdsFed that the ya4g SSa they new permied
by their amended proposition was large enough
for any purpose. They had heard nothing to alter
their opinion that 1t was inadvsabe and destructive
to yachting to allow man to carry what he pleased,
still feeling as they did that number Of owners
becoming smaller and smaller. The committee had
now issued their ultimatum, the matter must be
settled that evening, and as there were number Of
yachtmen present who wished to address the meet
ing on the subject, he would not occupy their time
longer 6u. IN order to place the matter II proper
ing alterations be carried; coming from the sailing
committee the motion needed no seconder:-
1-9-.That in all matches Of this club the following
sails only shall be set:-
-Malnsail topsail (the yard Of which shall
not exceed in length three times the yachts BEAM
nor be set with q jackyard) jib and foresail.
That In all matches Of this club the crews OF yachts
sailing in such matches shall be limited as folows:-
Cutter-One man for every seven tons, captain and
pilot.
tons or fraction OF seven tons up to 100 TONS ana one
man for every ten tons or fraction Of ten tons above
100 tons, captain and pilot. Three members Of .
yacht Of and above thirty tons, but only two MEM
bers allowed to each yacht under thirty tons.
proposed by the committee for time allowance be-
tween large and small yachts, having regard to the
contemplated alteration; because the new rule would
be notoriously unfair to small vessels.
Mr. CHARLwOOD observed that he could not take
upon himself to pledge the committee to any decided
course Of action In that matter In answer, however,
to that gentemans objection that small vessels had
no chance, he must be permitted to remark that the
twenty seconds allowance was only introduced last
year. and therefore it could not be said that they had
had much experience in the working Of that rule.
Mr. DUNCAN assumed that the committee at pres
ent did not contemplate giving more than twenty
seconds; and under those circumstances both HIM
self and friends were decidedly ayerse to any change
reason why a backyard should be prohibited,
another yard cnrtaied, and why they should
hands to set them with. Apart from the injustice
Of the proceeding it would be most awkward for the
clubs another. He had no objection to booming out
being done away with, and he was averse to seeing
cases could not fairly be met without interfering
with mans liberties, and he thought, certainly
until every other club did the same as the London,
that every yachtman should be permitted to carry
whatever sails and whatever size Of sails he liked
Mr.. T. M. GLADSTONE, as non-yacht owner, was
not deeply interested in this matter but felt with al
Difference to the committee, that it was within the
province Of any yacht club TO bring the
would be highly dangerous to prevent q man
using what means he pleased to increase the pro-
fairly. Difficulties were arising in the yachting
world which no doubt needed settlement, and he
begged to suggest to those more acquainted with the
subject than himself whether some means might
not be devised to get universal rule upon these
matters by the calling together OF all the yacht clubs
1t would oe great advantage to yachtmen II such
desirable end could be attained, but meanwhile he
for was Of opinion that to curtal yachts pro-
1t was dangerous to make restrictions Of any kind
there were vessels which from their build could
others, and to attempt to restrain their owners rom
availing themselves OF the superior build Of their
yachts would, he must confess, impose Limitation
Of most awkward character, and one which would
be more obstructive than any abuse which the COM
mittee sought to remove.
Mr.. J. s. EARLE, the owner OF the Sphinx, after
lengthy conversation with Mr.. Charlwood observed,
the question which forced itself to his notice was
most important onewoud the alteration suggested
Now as II most undoubtedly would have that effect,
he considered the committee were wrong II only for
one reason-viZ they would defeat the very object
for which the club had been founded. Speed was the
primary object to be attained, whether in yacht an
measure which should reduce the highest possible
amount OF speed attainable would be direct attack
carried their measure they would see during the
coming season such curious Inventions In topmasts
and topsails as they had never dreamed Of: , - A..
Mr.. G. TATnAM supported the committee, and
sidered both that thirty foot yard was enough
for Mr.. Duncan's yacht, and that the entries would
be materially Increased by adopting the COZ commIttee's
not want sixty foot topsail yard
Mr.. J. s. ABBOTT DUNBAR, Of the Pearl, was deci-
dedly opposed to any alteration.
Mr.. CHARLwooD, In the course Of brief reply to
the gentlemen opposed to any alteration, Thought
their view Of the matter considerably overstated,
more especially where 1t was urged that they would
now have to provide themselves with new suit OF
sails, because their large working topsails would
CO1ne as as pOsSiDe 10 Wliat ttc
proposed. lie had drawn out list OF yachts with
the length OF topsai yard they might carry In pro,
portion to their beam, and he thought the sail granted
enough In reason for any yacht to carry:-
Length or Ia. Length or Td.
Yacht EL In. Tucht. FTIn.
Satanella. ...........26 O Fiome. e..............E
Thought. ............34 Speranza. ...........1 o
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