The New York herald., 1869-06-24
YACHTING.

Annual Regattn Of tho Columbia Yacht Club
Fictle Woather md u Drifting Rnce-Thc
Gage, Onward and Betsey Victorious.
Verify "hard lines" was the order OF the day.
Chamelon-like, the phases Of the trcksome element
were variable rs they were extraordinary, and tue
second annual regatta OF the Columbia Yacnt Club
was therefore not so brilliant and exciting as was
reasonably anticipated. In fact the great ruling
power. the weather unpropitious, and the event.
glorious as it otherwise might have been. was sadly
marred by dun, heavy, misty and thor
oughly stupid atmosphere. Foggy, and very thick
at that the morning opened with the most unpleas
ant symptoms and weatherwise men were, at all
events, right for once in prognosticattng barren
prospect. IL was pity, too, Tor the Columbia
yachtmen intended q gallant exhibition; but the
most sanguine hopes are often nipped in the bud
and in common with all human affairs the spirited
members OF the organization were obliged to resign
themselves to fate The Columbia Club. whose
house Is situated at the foot OF Fyseventh street.
North river, was organized over two years since,
and was Incorporated IN December. 1868. numbering
Iwenty-six active members and nearly score Of
fast little yachts. Nothing could have caused
disappointment to their spirited owners than the
gloomy aspect Of the weather yesterday. Arrayed
in appropriate costume. they assembled ct an early
hour at the club house and ga zed upon the horizon
with wistful gaze. II was exceedingly misty, and
there was but little prospect OF blowing on. Post
ponement of the event was advocated by few, but
Others more hopeful, resolved TO carry out the pro-
gramme at all hazards At ten O'Clock most
OF the yachts had arrived at the anchor.
age OF the foot OF Fifty-seventn street,
and though not large in proportions they
looked exceedingly neat and handsome. their
appearance being fine and picturesque. Each yacht
was numbered by large figure, the better enabling
those witnessing the to distinguish their posi-
eleven O'Clock the scene began to be somewhat
lively. Notwithstanding the unfavorabe prospects
which the weather presented. Bunting OF the most
varegated description was hOsted In all directions
ana crowd or spectators assembled at all Observa-
Die points TO witness the start. The course 10 be
sailed over was from q sakebOat OF the foot OF
Flfty-seventh street to q stakeb0at of Mount st.
Vincent, turning the same from east to west and
miles, the race to be made within eight hours. Iu
was expected that the number Of entries would havs
been at least over dozen, but only eight were In
line at the time OF starting. The following officers
were In attendance during the preliminary arrange
mentS:-JOseph A. Weaver, COmmOdOre @. +. TOmp
kins, wee Commodore; G. NJ Armstrong, Secretary;
o. w. Osborne, Treasurer, and w. II. Rowe, Mea
surer. The regatta committee consisted of Messrs
G. +. Tompkins Robert Wilson and J. T. Nancy
The club house was crOwed to its utmost
capacity, and the start was anXlOnsly looked for
start, lazy as 1t might be- something under such
unfavoraDe circumstances. The allowance OF time
was one and a half minutes to the foot The Gage
was allowed two minutes ana fOrty-flve seconds, the
Etnanne Tour minutes and half, the Onward two
minutes, Uncle Ben fifteen minutes, the Betsey twen
ty-1ve minutes and a half and the others in pro-
portOnate ratio The jud ges at the home stake
boat-Edward Skidmore end Alderman w. Cregier-
John Hoppgood. SHORTLY before twelve O'Clock the
following yachts appeared IN llne:--