The New York herald., 1869-05-21
YACHTING.
The Schooner Yacht Sappho-Her Late Trial

The Schooner Yacht Sappho-Her Late Trial
Trip.
On Monday, the 17th inst, the yacht Sappho. Rear
Commodore william Douglas, of the New York
Yacht Club, owner, left the yard of the Messrs Poll
lon foot OF Bridge street, Brooklyn and made sail
for trip TO TEST her sailing qualities as sea boat
since the late improvements which she has under
gone. At half-past two O'Clock Of that day she
slipped her moOrings. and. with number OF invited
guests on board was towed to the club house OF the
New York Yacht Club, at Clifton, 8. l., where the
steam tug was cast or and under malnsail f0resail,
jib and flying jib the vessel was put head to sea.
At four O'Clock in the afternoon she left her an
chorage ana proceeded towards Sandy Hook. One
mile outside OF 1t the yacht again "came tor In the
wind, and the steam tug soon shot up to her. The
friends OF the owner were sent board the tug,
leaving but The officers and crew on the yacht.
The wind was westerlY-a strong, niCe breeze
and the yacht by direction squared awayn east
southeast of the Hook. The trial trip now began.
Fully hundred miles were run within snort time
formula" OF logkeeping was not strictly adhered
to. 1t is said she logged sixteen knots. On her
way home, the westerly wind continuing but fresh
ening, the foresal was fured to try her action
der lbs and mainsail. When in this trim she sailed
ship early Tuesday morning: The passage was then
easy to the club house Off Clifton, Staten Island,
which the yacht reached very early.
All day Tuesday the boats crew were manipu-
lating the rigging and stretching SAIL the object
being to show how handsome she could be made ut
anchor. This required all hands during the day;
and as the night looked unprOpit0us the anchorage
was maintained awaiting the morning for the con-
At SIX A. NJ. wednesday another start was made.
the wind from the north-northeast, with
SQUALLS and heavy rains. sP Despite - this, this the the
the yacht was spun with mice bits' OF
handling eight miles Off the HOOK when she
again tackled, and hOmeward bound was the word.
Half-past twelve that day she passed the lghtshp,
and under strong beating breeze came up the mar
m o he o 1n
last to her old mOOrings.
From this experimental trip her owner and super
ntendent OF reconstruction 1ully agree not to make
any alteration save One-that Is, the reftting OF her
toDmasts with heavier spars. One thing Is certain;
the alterations In the sappho are great improve
ment to her.
The saloon appointments are yet far from compile
chanica aid to this end and it may be quite month
before she will be In perfect racing trim.
Regatta OF the Harlem Yacht Club.
Yesterday the annual regatta of this club for the
prize Of the Commodore's pennant came Off with
the usual enthusiasm manifested on similar occa-
sions. From on early hour their new and neatly
arranged club house at the foot Of East 125 street
was the scene OF considerable activity, and long be.
fore the hour announced for the start to take place
1t was tnrOnged by large number of the lovers of
aquatic sports, many Of whom were pecuniarlly in
terested in the race The day and wind were all that
could be desired, fresh, steady breeze having
sprung up from the northwest The course sailed
was from point opposite the club house down Har.
lem river, through He'll Gate, up East river to
College Point buoy turning from south to
north, thence to stakeboat Off Clawson's Point,
turning from west TO east; thence to and around
Throggs Neck Point buoy, turning from the lee
ward, returning the same Way-makIng distance
in all OF about twenty miles. There was an allow
of two minutes to the foot for all yachts under
twenty-eight feet in length The following were
the entries and the time each started:-