The New York herald., 1868-07-12
YACHTING.


The Yachts Martha and Matue-First OF
Their Match Races-An Exciting and Close
s,ontest-The Martha Wins by One Minute
and Fifteen Seconds.
rhe vicinity OF the Bayonne Yacht Club House
yesterday morning was the scene OF much interest.
The publicity given 10 the proposed match races be-
tween the soop yachts Martha OF the Brooklyn
Yacht Club and the Matte, OF the Bayonne Club,
caused the attendance Of many enthusiasts in
aquatic sports who eagerly Joined the excited men,
bers Of the latter club in discussing the merits Of the
relative boats and the anticipated race, the irst of
three for the sum Of 81, 900 each race.
The picturesque appearance Of the pretty cot
tages surrounding the club house was enhanced by
their unique ornamentation with nags and stream.
ers
THE CoNTENDING BOATS.
The class OF vessels that the Martha and Matte are
representatives Of in the clubs they belong to has
given rise considerable speculation and little
contention between their many members, inasmuch
az each have believed and that relgiously perhaps
that they possessed boats of greater speed than the
ether. Several matches have sprung from this
pride but until this season tnere has been no
arrangement whereby the disputed point could
be satisfactorily settled. 1t will probably be
at this time the three days sailing will give the
boats selected an opportunity develop their fullest
speed
The Martha, of the BROOKLYN Yacht Cub was built
by Mr.. Harry Smedey Gowanus E. l., and is 27 feet
II inches long and II feet inches wide: her b is 2l
feet in length; main boom, 3S feet; head, 10 feet;
hoist 27 feet, and she carries 1880 square feet Of
canvas. Yesterday she had crew Of ten men +,
under the direction of Captain Ira Smith.
The Matte, OF the Bayonne Yacht Club. was con-
structed by Mr. P. Mcclellan, Bayonne, 8. l.; is q
feet inches long and II feet inches beam;
head s feet hoist "a feet and yesterday carried eli
square feet Of canvas Her crew consisted OF eight
men and boy, under the direction Of Captain Jos.
TIE COURSE.
The course agreed upon was from an anchorage of
the club house through the Narrows to Buoy No. o.
turning 1t as agreeable and thence home, rounding
the ssakeboat The Judges selected were:-Mr:
kirk on behalf Of the Matte.
THE RACE.
Considerable delay attended the Arrangement OF
certain prelimnares and though the hour for start.
ing was originally appointed at twelve, 1t was an
hour afterward before the word was given to .go."
The sun at this moment sent down its tOrrid heat,
but 1t seemed to bring out in boder relief the pretty
models OF the contending vessels, and those OF the
yachts Matilda, Polynesian, Annie Mac, Gretta and
Sea New, that intended to accompany them. It
having been agreed upon that the Matte should be
OF the latter accepted thirty seconds at the start and
at twenty minutes past one O'Clock she speeded
away on the wind followed by the e. Martha lar BY this
guests to go the course also left the stakeboa
and at the auspcieus start cheers went up from her
picture The wind was light and from the South
The Matte tackled towards Bay Ridge, and by dexter
manpuvring retained the lead; but both strug-
gled calamity and evenly that biscuit could be
tossed from deck to the other almost the entire
Passing Fort Lafayette, the southerly breeze
freshened little and at that point they were but
one minutes sailing distance apart Tackng at
many points and running at many angles OF diyerg-
ence, their sailing masters dictated, buoy No. o
was reached which was rounded as follows:-
- H. W. S. III. NJ s.
Matte ........ 33 20 Martha. "a SO
But one minute and a half difference OF time.
The home brought out all the skill OF the sailing
masters and their crews and seldom has better
manship been displayed than was witnessed at times
rs the sailed before the wind ana against the
tide. The Matte, until OWLS Head was reached sJill
died away and inch by inch the Martha crept up TO
her and as they simultaneously tackled toward Staten
Island; passed her, amid the cheers OF hundreds,
her gallant struggle had elected unusual praise.
Steadily she increased the distance, and approach
ing she stakeboat 1t was passed. with the Vocerous
demonstration characteristic Of the termination OF
spirited yacht race, as folows:-
H. NJ s. II. NJ. 8.
Martha. ....... AZ "a Matte. ........ 5 "a %
This, with the remaining allowance OF forty sec
onds due the Matte deducted, made the Martha the
victorious yacht by one minute and fifteen seconds.
disappointment was general by the members OF the
Bayonne Yacht Club they esteemed the Matte
invincible, and excuses were abundant as TO the
cause of her defeat.
This Is but the first race OF the three the next Is TO
he sailed tomorrow, from OF the Brooklyn Yacht
Club House to the Southwest Spit and return, and on
Tuesday stil another, over a course not yet de-
ternlned upon and before these are finished there
may be a change in opinion as TO the superiority OF
these crack model yachts.