The New York herald., 1869-03-06
THE YACHT HENRIETTA.

Her Winter Cruise 10 the West India Islands--
Incidents Of the voyage-How She and Her
Company were Received Mt the Various Ports
visited-Stormy Times at Sea.
The Henrietta, as already reported in the HERALD,
arrived in this port wednesday night. Her voyage
In midwinter pleasure trip among the West
India Islands inaugurated new era in yachting,
and created quite Juror among the veteran advo-
Gates Of this amusement
The yacht left her dock during the afternoon
OF the 2ath OF December with the wind
dead ahead and indications OF q violent storm.
Anchor was cast on Jersey City for the
night, when ON the following day at
$3.50 A. NJ, the weather being fine, adleus
were said to friends and home by the crew.
At eleven O'Clock Sandy Hook was passed with the
wind fresh from the northeast and thick, heavy
clouds prevailing. The first night at sea was passed
pleasantly, the ships company arranging matters
with view TO a heightened voyage
The morning OF the 31st, the last day or the year.
broke very pleasantly and with fayoring brcczes
from the south-southeast, the yacht bowling merriy
along, and the Highlands hull down at nghtfalI,
were looked upon without the least regret Pleasant
scenes and bright days beckoned rhe voyageurs
along. Eighteen hundred and sixty nine came upon
them with strong gales from the eastward, during
which the flying jlb, fore and Tansas were reefed
the day ended wita strong puts and indications OF
heavier weather.
The following day ga'es from the southwest, the
sea making the vessels bow In q terrible man.
ner During the squalls that ensued the first acci-
dent happened, that OF carrying away the flying jib
boom. 1t was rudelv snapped, while the wind piped
fearfuy and seas tested the craft greatly. she
bore IL well.
The "a OF January was calm and favorable, ike
wise the sth. during which the yacht bowled along
under ful. sail TO the satisfaction OF ALL
The 5th, the elements again were wrathfal as
squalls OF rain and wind greeted them during the
twenty hours. The storm increased in violence
The 9th, bringing fresh gales, rough seas, heavy
rain showers and snow squalls; but land. Gibbs
Hill, southeast side OF Bermuda bearing northeast
by east being sighted, the storm was unheeded. At
half-past one O'Clock in the afternoon anchor was
cast in ST. Georges harbor. and the unpleasantness
OF the past buried IN the anticipated pleasures
of the future. When General Van Allen went ashore
the pilots who were the lookout the headland,
assured Inn that his craft sailed past them under
the strong westward wind fully at the rate OF twenty
knots an hour, creating among them the greatest en-
thusiasm at her sailing qualities.
Four days were passed here with the utmost
pleasure, General Van Allen and son be nc visited
by all the English naval officers IN port ani a the
colonels or regiments stationed at that point. Dun
ners nd etes were given almost without number IN
were duly recprocated ard the deck Of the yacht
was the scene OF many elegant reunions.
on the llin, with several invited guests ladies and
gentlemen OF note, among them the United states
Consul and hls family, the boat In the best poss,ole
trim, made an excursion TO the port OF Hamilton.
aud there renamed merry making TIL the follow
ing day when landing the excuriions;s, she dropped
down TO navy yard docks at Grassy BAY, where
water and spar for the flying Joboon, lost early in
the voyage, sent on board presents from the
commandant OF the English navy yard.
All m readiness on tho evening OF the 18th and
hence 10 Barbados was the command.
On the lsth Gibos' Hlli Light bore westward, and
from tnat point their departure was taken Pleasant
weather. light breczes and delicious atmosphere
bore them on their way
During the 18th, 18th aud nth, the only prominent
Item OF Interest in this time being the meeting and
speaking OF the whaling schooner Crcassia ten days
from Boston, and the schooner Betty Holmes fifteen
days from Georgetown. y. c., oound to Martinique
On the lstn General Van Alien caused the yacht 10
point for ST. Thomas. this island being selected In
stead OF Barbados Tor their next touching point
The weather continued from the southwest. with |
light breeges during the qth loth 2Ist 2lj and 2sd,
when the latter twcnty-four hours were marNei oy
continuous run OF ten Snos Per noa es .e
AT 1890 OF this day island OF Anguilla, bearing
southwest by souIh, was sighted |
ING with variable winds and continued RAIN squalls.
AT noon the harbor OF -. Thomas was entered aud,
coming TO anchor, feet Of every conceyd1le char-
acter of small boats crowded ab0u. the yacht and
badc her crew welcome. several prominent gentle |
men, with their families, called upon oenerai @ van
10 sea again the next morning was the word,
bruni to the Island OF st. Crox, wncre ,hcy ar
rived and anchored at nightfall. Here, until the /
s0th, the yacht remained and this time was an |
event long TO be remembered by all. Invitations to
parties, ietes hunting excursions and merry |
inasings Of every character were bestowed on |
General van Allen. and in return he gave frequent
dinners to the lades and gentlemen oi the island.
When the crew went on shore the storekeepers. |
with the inhabitants, We'd with each otnef to make
the visit one OF pleasure.
Hence TO Havana, l,40o miles distant. The depar-
ture was made anid the adieus OF hundreds. anJ,
bowling away at ten knots per nour sner was
taken.
St. Domingo was sighted; NJ noOn same day the
rocks OF Alta Nea, bearing away west h,l sOulh. 7
were seen, with their millions o birds hovens ABOUT
them. 1he LIST OF February was prJyillvus. Tue +