The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-30
YACHTING.
The Yachts Matte and Martha-Their Third
Race-An Unfortunate Acknowledging Of
the Martha,s .Iib-The nIattie the Victor.

Tho Yachts Matte and Martha-Their Third
Race-An Unfortunate Accident-Parting Of
the Martha's Jib-The Matte the Victor.
The vicinity OF the Brooklyn Yacht Club house
yesterday morning was the scene of unusual interest,"
Gowanus bay never appeared more beautiful as the
white sails and club signals of OF yachts
added to the charming picture made up by mellow
sunlight, merry breeze and club houses uniquely
decorated with profusion OF iags.
Sufficient has been said Of these boats, and 1t u
wen known what an honorable rivalry exists be-
tween their owners The Martha yesterday had
crew OF ten men and fitted with the same sails
Us on her previous race, except slight alteration 70
her ]lbGwhch, by the way, caused her defeat. She
was sailed oy Captain David Snediker
The Matte was fitted as before and had crew Of
nine Il1n men under the command OF Captain Joseph
The course was from a stakeboat Off the club
house to stakeboat or Conev Island Point thence
TO buoy NO. turning them "a agreeable and thence
nome. Inc Judges selected were:-Mr. William
Jones for the Matte and Mr. D. P. Fish behalf Of
the Martha
Unpleasant delay attended the prelimnares, but
all was finally satisfactorily arranged, and sur
rouded by pretty sister crafts start was effected
as follows, the Martha allowing at the start thirty OF
the seventy seconds due the Mattie:-
Matte "a Is 80 Martha a IS %
The wind was south-southeast and resh-all that
the most exacting yachtlnan could wish for. They
sped away prettily on the wind. and each crew,
by dexterOus manGuvring developed every point
Ridge dock the boats were abreast the Martha
gaining nicely on her opponent, and pref
Ter picture OF cOntendlng vessels Is seldom
Witnessed. From this point the Martha inch
Wy lhch, opened gap between then ana
when opposite Owls Head she clearly had an
advantage or two or three minutes. But here for
tune Iorsook her, and upon short tack her ib gave
way az the head, the jib stay parting ana tearing
the sail some three ieet Cries OF bitter dsappont
ment. mingled with those of earnest sympathy arose
from the crowd on the steamer Alice that had accom-
panied them, and frequent were the expressions Of
'lts all over, as the Marthas crew were compelled
to lower the disabled sail notonly once, but twice.
TO repair damages. 1t did really prove that it was
the Marthas death blow, as the wind freshening
greatly within few minutes thereafter, 1t was evl-
dent her crew could not depend the rel airs
made so hurriedly, and although the vessel sped
calamity on the time lost could not be recovered.
Yet notw outstanding this, 1t will be splen-
| didly she sailed, as passing Buoy No. they were
| less than three minutes apart. The time was-
II. NJ s. H. A. s.
Matte .........4 % 10 Martha. ...... A. rs 90
The run home brought out all the skill OF the sailing
| masters, and as the wind freshened more and mor;
| II was beautiful sight. But that jib' had proved
the MartlaS defeat, mot her ruin" some said,
but yet she greatly decreased the distance noted at
| the buoy, as passing the homesake boat the time
waS:-Mattie, hours, 81 minutes; Martha, hours,
~ minutes, % sec0nds-leSs than q minutes differ
ence, and this, with the allowance OF forty seconds
still due the Matte made the latter the victor by
| minute and thirty-hve seconds keener dsappoint-
| ment was never experienced by crew than the
victory in their grasp it was snatcned from them
| by an unfortunate accident. There Will DC other
races between these crack boats, Brooklyn Is not
| satisfied.