The New York herald., 1869-04-13
YACHTING IN EXGLAaD-THE SEASON OF 1869.


rfcipations of the American visitors-Club
Openinxs--Events Come On-Thc First
Match.
LONDON March 81, 1869.
Preparations for the yachting season of 1869 have
commenced unusually early. Ii Is cnnicult TO assign
any for this, but 1t is Racing yachts
already fitting out while many n0n-raclng craft are
actually in commission. That the season Of 1869 rs
likely to be OF the eventful on record is
mltied on all hands. The anticipated and much de-
sired visit OF the yachts belonging to the New York
clubs, the alterations made in some Of the fastest
Bnglish vessels against which the Americans will
have to sail and the Introduction OF new code Of
sailing rules, all tend to render this year OF
paralleled interest and importance IN the annals of
yachting.
1t is impossible to conceal the fact that among
experienced sailors the visit OF the American yachts
N contemplated with mingled feelings OF pleasure
and anxiety. 1t Is a common occurrence to hear a.
those ports where "skippers'' assemble during
the non-racng season the remark, ~ am glad
they are coming. and hope we shall beat them"
To speak guardedly is special peculiarIty of these
men, when alluding to their own vessels. but when
referring TO the forthcoming International race they
are unusually careful In their remarks.
As a body, captains of English racing yachts are
most intelligent men. Their profession makes them
particularly observant Of small things. In race
the eye OF the skilfu captain, while carefully scan
ming his SAILS notes as well the slightest change in
the ripple Of the water. The flying scud is to him
subject OF special consideration. Even the trees,
when the vessel is near the shore, are carefully
watched, and from these sources the wary captain
often peTceives change in the wind not yet ,ndi.
catca eitner oy the racing nag or the canvas so
carefully set as TO catch its every breath The order
"'Bout she comes" Is often given to the
anaZement OF the non-prolessiona yachtman,
ana often, too, to the surprise OF some
captains less mindful OF small warnings;
and the writer has known many race TO be
won by paying attention to these seeming
triues. new ARRIVAL in the roadstead during
the racing season VIII cause little knots OF captains
To assemble, when the bow, the stern, the quarters
mats, sails, ropes the every line of the newcomer
WI! DC keealy criticised Practical experience will
oroea was the sappho subjected last year, and TO
such win those yachts which visit England this sea-
son be exposed, and there Is little doubt that
they win receive the same admiration dId the
Sappho from those men, better judges than whom
To return to the arrangements for the forthcoming
season ana passing over the proposed dongs OF q
whole host of small clubs, who have provided for
matches OF all kiuds-from models to sailing barges-
We hnd that the Royal London Yacnt Cub is the first
the New Thanes Ior Nav ~ and the oyo oT Thags @
for May b. These opening trips are merely pro.
cess,ons IN which as many yachts as possible joln
irst match OF the season will he sailed under the
auspices OF the Royal London Yacht Club the
course being, as usual, from Erich down the river
Thames to the More lightship and back. The New
Thames viii start their cutters OF the first and
Ond classes the I'D OF May ana pretty sure Of
a good entry The Royal Thames then takes up the
racing and the cutters over thrtyve tons belonging
to the club Will do battle for prize valued at fi00
and purse OF thirty pounds for the second vessel
II four start while the second class cutters viii CON-
pete on that day Tor prize valued at fifty pounds
and II four start the second vessel CLAIMS prize OF
twenty pounds. The Royal Thames start their
schooners on June which day is also fixed for the
schooner match of the New Thames club. an unfor-
tunate coincidence, many gentlemen belong to
bosh clubs. The 9th OF June Is also the opening day
yawIs and schooners OF the Royal London do their
running well as the little cutters belonging to the
New inaues But as all the racing takes place on
and crowded. and the water, to say the
least, Is very dirty, It IS Improbable that
programmes; indeed, In most instances, the matches
confined 10 vessels belonging 10 the clubs under
whose auspices the regattas sailed. The first
match that will be sailed this in genuine salt
water IL the channel match OF the Royal Thames
Yacht Club which vii, start on the 2Ist OF June and
IL open to vessels OF any rig The Official programme
makes no mention OF the match being open tn Amer
ican yachts, but we learn from reliable authority
tnat should they take up their stations at the starting
point on tnat day they will be heartily welcomed.
The course Is from the More lghtsnip TO Dover, and
the prize f100 for the first vessel and aity pounds
FOR tue second Yawls are to sail cutters and
cutters To allow yaws one-fourth Of their tonnage.
No alusion Is made TO either schooners or time al
Iowance and It s therefore presumed that Acker's
scale will apply to these points, There Is 10 be
snpy 10 ali ma,cncs sailed in the so,ent this seay
the owners Of those American yachts who intend
sending their vessels TO England will do well TO pro-
vide them with ringtals spinnkers and other Tying
Kites and canvas monstr0sites.
These are the yachting fixtures up to the present
tirne but during the next week or so the SAILING |
committees Of other clubs viii be called upon to |
publish their arrangements The vexed question |
Of tonnage Is now receiving the attention OF several
yacht clubs IL would be dnicult to Imagine any
thing more absurd than the thumbs rule, by which
the tonnage OF yachts is now calculated IN Great
Britain. Without cndeavoring to follow " through
its intricate wndings, II Will be sufficient to state
that the Just length Tor tonnage Is obtained by de-
ducting the breadth Of vessel from her length
should, therefore, any eccentric Briton In these
days OF outrageous novelties, construct yacht
whose breadth Il equal to Its length such vessel by
Thames measurement would be no tonnage at all
A rule which admits OF such an anomaly as this is
absurd on the face OF II, and t ~ therefore TO he
hoped that the day Is not far distant when displace
mcnt will be the foundation for measuring all yachts
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