The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-30
National sport-The Development OF Yacht.

III announcer column we chronicle the lultiu-
ton of an interesting event to yachtmen in the
departure from this port Of the schooner Hem
rietta, with General Van Allen and party, for
a winter cruise in the waters of the West
ture, for similar purpose, of the little yacht
Eva. These two cruises indicate the develop
ment and the tendency of noble sport. Not
long since yachting was so much an affair of
quiet rivers and land-locked bays that it was
likely always to be regarded as mere senti-
mental extravaganza rather than a manly,
invigorating and ennobling struggle with the
elements. We have had our boats running up
and down the sylvan streams and to and fro
between watering places, and the cruise to
the press could reproach the yachtmen with
their fondness for the Solent. To this dispo-
sition of yachtmen to still waters there was
only an occasional exception, such as Lord
Duferin's cruise. But we have come upon
better times when the waters of our American
archipelago, necessarily involving an ocean
cruise to reach them, are taking the fancy of
the lovers Of sport as winter cruise.
We would not, however, have yachtmen
plume themselves on the fancy that they are
doing unparalleled things in taking ocean
cruises in their taut, trim and per-
fectly safe little ships. Much has been
said it is true, over the daring Of that
ocean race in which the Henrietta won ma
tional fame, and generally from that text on
the peril of ocean cruises in such craft. The
truth is that the peril and the daring are ex-
aggerated through popular failure to perceive
the true points in the case Big ships are
hardly so safe in the final event as little ones
for, after all, what is the size of any ship ever
built by comparison with the combined power
of the wind and the sea? Handled with the
unmeasured impulse of the storm, the Great
Eastern herself is mere cookie she'll, and it is
faulty to count feet and inches as against a
power that treats that leviathan like shrimp.
On the other hand, the absolute advantages Of
and the greater efficiency of discipline and
mastery where one mans eyes can take in
everything and one win direct all. Let our
yachtmen remember that the geography of the
world was mostly made out in ships smaller
than many Of the yachts OF this time, aud that,
too, in ages when the art Of shipbuildng aud
the science Of navigation were less understood
than they are now. Thus, though we would
not underrate the spirit and the viii that
lead 10 the cruises we refer to, we would
remind these gentlemen that they only
emulate the Ph@nicians OF old, the Vikings of
Northern story aad the hardy buccaneers in
their wandering toward pleasant lands in little
ships. We record with pleasure the devel-
opment OF the sailor spirit that puts our yacht
men in such adventurous company.
Doubtless the yachting excitements promised
for next year will also do much for sport.
Apropos to Mr.. Ashbury's challenge to Ameri-
can yachts for the cup won by the America,
there viii be several matches of much interest.
Two or three races between English and
Yankee yachts will take place in British
waters; there will be o race from England
here, between one English and one Yankee
yacht, and subsequently several races here.
The race from England here across the Allan
tic will be Of more interest TO sailors than q
race across the Atlantic the other way; for it
will be run against head winds--beavy work
all the way-and not such a slipping over Old
Ocean as formerly carried our boats to Cowes
in fourteen days. BIT il win be race, in
common with the others, to give an impulse to
the cultivation of this adventurous pleasure.