The New York herald., 1869-01-12
YACHTING.


The Proposed International Yacht Race
Across the Atlantic.
lFrom the London Morning Post, Dec. 29.l
Better late than never. There seems every proba-
bty that next year will witness the Inauguration Of
an annual international race between the yachtmen
Of the Old and New Worlds. Seventeen years have
elapsed since the world renowned schooner America
crossed the Atlantic and, beating fastest yachts
on every point OF sailing enectually dispeIled many
chronic illusions in which, after CUSTOM we had
been tndulging. The America taught u.s. among
other things, that 1t was competent for vessel,
schooner rigged to saul on wind with cutter. Pre-
viously the idea Of racing the two classes together
would have appeared as absurd as running the hun
ter against the racehorse In halfmile spin. The
schooner might in an ocean race, in heavy weather
or in going Free hold her own or even vanquish the
cutter; but under ordinary racing conditions and
with anything like equal tonnage competition was
considered out OF the question, and 'close hauedn
the 1.-TWO stickerr would have been snowhere.n
But the lesson Of 1851 too not to be i'm
pressive, and the improvement In our yachts. and
especially in our schooners has since that time been
between the most celebrated OF our racing craft and
the representative Of our transatlantic brethren ct
teresting. How had we pronted BY our lesson
Had the Old Country been sunlciently shaken out OF
the isie Of Whit were true criterion the pupiis
had not only equaied, but completely surpassed
their masters and turned the tables upon them:
was absolutely the last by long way too In the race
AS win be seen, however, in the correspondence
ure 81 the Sappho at Cowes was 1.-THE result OF an
accident" Be that as 1t may, undoubtedly the Anne
rtcan yacht was better calculated BY her construc
tion spars and canvas, for racing on ocean than
inland waters. is therefore, very desirable that
the Sapph0 and other American vessels may have
crack ocean racers In . seaway, for there would be
small grounds for legitimate triumph II we could
only conquer In smooth waters
be understood BY following the correspondence
upon It which has taken place since the race st
owner Of the Cambria wrote 70 the Secretary Of the
New York Yacht Club proposing that some Of tho
fastest American yachts should come over here next
there could be ocean race from the Isle Of Wight
to New York, and then that the Cambria
champion round Long Island, 70 decide definitely
which OF the vessels was the fastest This proposal
@
would % submitted 70 the drss meeting u mo cinb
In February next In the meantime the nrst owners
York Yacht Club to that they proposed to present
the queens Cup which they won a. Cowes
whining Sl boat might belong 1t was to be
competed for upon sucn CONDITIONS a,s, as the com
Inent the course was to be that used BY the club
holding the cup at Its annual regatta. They also
presented the cup, In the first instance to the New
York Yacht Club, which will consequently arrange the
first race. Lastly we have the letters just published
from % s6e pSsno q The 20 the c
mouore OF the New York Yacht Club VINO, although
he Is not prepared TO cross the Atlantic says ne VIII
race the Cambria on his own side OF the ocean, and
ne concludes hts letter thus:I venture 10 add that
other members OF the club, owners OF yachts which
have N % ee be a. s5
that OCCASION Mr.. Bennett the owner OF the
Dauntless, however intimates his intention OF VISIT
ing Europe In his vessel next May, or spending
three four months our side OF the Atlanrlc and
then OF racing the Cambria from Cowes to New
are also 20 informed that the sapp6o IS to enter the
lists again. so that there be doubt or hav
ing an exciting international race. or series Of
Great credit is due to Mr.. Ashbury. owner OF the
Cambria for the part he has taken In promoting this
sed posed that international races should be inaagu-
rated to be sailed here and In America: further, ne
offered 70 subscribe handsomely towards this object,
about the arrangement for next seasonv interna-
tonal matches. It Is to be hoped that Mr.. Ashbury
may be able TO induce the owners OF some OF the
crack vessels TO accompany him to America next
autumn. But, even II he cannot do So may be well
m 70 s 70 s sSoa
70 be observed that all the American yachts as yet
named TO compete are schooners, 30 that the Cam
be fttng representative. 1t is satisfactory
when cutters and schooners race together at one
time. schooner pltted against schooner and cutter
against cutter Is by far the most conclusive and sat
tsfylng way OF racing
with regard TO the alternative courses proposed
by Mr. Bennett It appears TO as that the one TO the
Azores and back is decidedly preferable TO that
straight across the Atlantic, as being much more
likely to test the different points Of sailing. In Q
race to the Azores and back, turning to windward
and running would, In all probability, be necessi-
tated and weather to test the seagoing qualities OF
the vessels would be likely to DO experienced In pass
IN oas sss direction SSs NIGH very possibly Su.
variety and be oil In favor Of particular vessels. A
race to the Azores and back would also probably at
for many OF our yacht owners have engagements
which would prevent their sailing TO America,
although they might be able to compete the other
course out and home But wherever the race may
taEe place make sure that It VIII be vigorously
contended for, that the greatest possible Interest
create and maintain friendly relations and commu-
nication between two countries which should always
be rivals but never foes.