The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-24
OCEAN YACHTING.


The last yachting season IL now among INC rcni-
nscences Of the past, and for the next few months
OF winters icy reign VIC have only the vivid ana
pleasing recolections OF the recreative enjoyments
and pleasures OF that healthful and ennobng as well
as practically useful occupation and amusement
But while INDUCING in reveries Of the realized past
the hopes and expectations Of the genuine yacht
man almost nstInctively wing their way into the not
distant future.
brief retrospect OF yachting In this country for
only few years PASTOR with US IL must be acknow-
lodged that yachting il even yet III its infancy
presents an episode in the nautical life OF compare
lively new people that may well excite the wonder
aud the admiration OF the older nations OF the world
Not merely the giant strides that young Amer
lea has made IN naval architecture, changing
In few years the whole character Of
our armed as well as merchant marine, but also In
that spirit Of nautical daring and seamanlike hardi-
hood so Unexpectedly developed by those whose
whole ambition it would seem to have been to enjoy
and avail themselves OF the ''halcyon waveletsh"of
an inland navigation, although unsurpassed, per-
haps, in the world. The long and experienced pro-
cession Of the patriarchial yachtmen OF the 'sea-
grit islen with whom the theory Of navigation went
hand in hand with its practical application upon the
sdeep sea"-whose yachts, launched as 1t were from
their very cradles upon more or less boisterous
ocean-might well be presumed, from physical me-
cessity, to have prepared themselves well as their
yachting craft to "face the musicn Of an ocean
wind and an ocean wave-yeary testing. too, the
speed and weatherly qualities OF their vessels in the
Outlines troubled waters that encirce their coast
II would be more than natural to expect that the
flag OF the Royal Yacht Squadron should be seen
beneath the glare OF burning Hecla In
the north or wave beneath the fervld sun
OF the torrid zone or the balmy air OF Medi-
terranean sea. But the wonder that without such
physical necessities and inducements the spirit Of
nautical adventure aud daring should be so unex-
pectedly developed in their congeners OF the West
leading them to aspire to the proud distinction OF
their national sires and claim that Their march is
DER the mountain wave their home upon the deep"
whether their floating domice be the graceful yacht
"walkng the waters like thing OF life," q nautilus
like ''bubble OF air In the shape OF fe-prcservng
Bolsa," or navigable raft "Ingersoll lfeboat"
mimicking in her three-masted rig our merchant
marine.
1t is but few years since-and when our yachting
association, yet In its swaddling clothes, baving
scarcely 'chip'd the shen-that the spirit OF mari
time adventure and nautical sporting pro-
cyity astonished at least the yachting world
by the advent In British waters OF the cele-
brated yacht America crossing the Atlantic
and contending successfully against the yachts
OF the United Kingdom for the Queens Cup
.'England's NOW Americas) most honored
prize" Little did the Commodore of the club and
his accompanying yachtmen dream, even as the
America coasted along the shores OF England, that
the shadows her canvas cast upon the chalk cliffs
OF Dover were the "negatlve'' OF photograph 30
soon to be followed by positive" depicting 1.-The
America ahead and her fifteen competitors no
where;" that the CLEAN from the stars in her bunt
ninty faces the fame and nautical renown OF the
association they so worthily represented much less
did they think that their graceful craft was destined
to be the champion not only Of the Soent and the
waters around the Wight, where her laurels were
won, but also the instrument In inaugurating q
champion Cup'-a challenge In perpetuity to the
Yachting marine rerS q the nautical
even have INDUCED the hope Of q continued
possession OF that ''much coveted prizen for
q score OF years. Nor need the nautical compla-
cency OF their successors be at all disturbed In this
connection by any Of the earlier or more recent per
phc ORDER neither originating nor conducted in that
true yachting spirit which inspired the owners OF
the America, but most, with some few honorable
exceptions, under very different spirit. mere COM
mercial adventures IN lorna pdupeTts, and much
that OF Engiands acitzen Of credit and renown."
who, though on pleasure bent had still frugal mind,
aud utterly wanting In any OF the elements OF that
entitled to success. Nautical facts like unnautcal
facts very stubborn things" and the fact that
won stands sti upon the record and to all The in.
ternatonal G)-so caled-.'Sapphfc music" from the
other side OF the water we may fairly respond in the
spirit and air OF well known and popular song
There stands the Queens Cup
Shining IN Its case
To England's yachtmen the Queens Cup Is no
pze But the Queens oap Of 81 has 70 Us
an enhanced value, independent OF the nautical
triumph II commentaries 1t was a triumph
the deep interest her Majesty manifested In that
contest and the graceful and considerate courtesy
extended to the successful yachtmen and to their
no less fortunate vessel are most pleasant rem
niscences associated with that Cup. And 1t Ia emf
nently due to the nautical as well as the convcn
tional gallantry OF the club 70 acknowledge that all
the earlier associations connected with that Queens
Cup are still fresh and fragrant In their memories
aeen d,stear That un NAV he cbacn"eS NAV
be won, you will; yet their day dreams OF It's past
will cling to II stlll." Those memories now per-
petuated In our club by its being made q champion
Cupr for "all timen Nor can we be expected to
leopard even our continued possession OF 1t, ex-
cept upon fair and liberal construction OF at least
the expressed terms and conditions the "tenure'D
upon which we as well as all other organized yacht
ing assocations,u will be required hereafter to hold
IL, more especially as the terms are Infinitely more
liberal and nauticaly Just than those In compliance
with which that Cup was won.
Inat the @ame Split OF nautical adventure ana
yachtmen was but recently manifested IN the great
ocean match race OF the winter Of 1861 when three
yachts OF the squadron carried at their mastheads
over the wintry waves Of the Atlantic trinity Of
signal c0lors by day. and the CLEAN OF those
same col0rs from their mastheaded ssignal lightsv
tinging the white foam OF the crested wave by night
What but o genuine spirit Of yachting and nautical
adventure could have prompted the owners OF the
yachts and the members OF the club who joined them
TO wind up and sstaper on their summers cruising
upon the smooth waves Of the eight green seasn'
and breast the mountain wave and rolling billow Of
the winter s0lsticeY The heavy expenses incurred
in preparing, manning and keeping their vessels in
commission, and the still greater outlay In the loss
OF time preclude the idea that pecuniary considers
ton, Notwithstanding the large amount staked upon
the result was the spur on the wing OF the 0strchv
"pricking the sides Of their nautical intentn II
not, has been minated ''either the prestige OF
wealth or the wager AZ stake,n and can only
be regarded as the impulse Of that nautical
instinct and spirit OF maritime adventure which
forms 30 prominent feature In our national life.
With us the instinct - las It already has been with
our yachting friends abroad) rapidly assuming the
character Of passion. and "a life on the
and home on the heavtng sea- Is becoming the
ultima Thule Of the yachtmans hopes and asplra-
tions And notwithstanding the splendid bays and
haIbors the spacious sounds and inland waters OF
his native land, ne covets, In addition thereto,