The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-15
YACHTING.
Regatta or the Harlem Yacht CIub-Last Day
Of the Season.


Regatta or the Harlem Yacht CIub-Last Day
Of the Season.
More for the purpose OF testing the SAILING
qualities OF cat-riggcd boats than any other
reason the Commodore and members OF the
Harlem Yacht Club determined TO hold the
concluding regatta OF the season yesterday
A good deal OF discussion as to the relative
merits OF cat-rlgged and sloop-rigged boats pre-
vailed 10 the club for some time, and with the view
OF ascertainlng what the former could do at their
best, as TO afford some criterion for the future,
two OF the smartest boats in the frst class
OF cat-rigs and two in the second class were
selected from the feet for tho purpose Except
the weather rather squaiiy the day was entirely
favorable for the race. A sharp sou'easter swept.
the rivers, and the possibility OF the occurrence
during the day OF that dread enemy OF yachtmen,
dead calm, was not entertained by any one. The
tide was at the full about one O'Clock, and at that
hour the boats hauled and prepared for the con-
test. They were the Nap, twenty-four feet long,
owned by Mr.. David Fitzgerald; and the Three Sis
tiers, twenty-five feet long, owned BY Mr.. Charles
Longatreet Commodore or the club, In the first
class; the Teddie. sixteen feet long, owned by
Lockyer Brothers, ana the Seaman Raynor, seven
teen feet long. owned by Mr. O'Brien represented
the second class The prizes for the winners were
for the first pair OF colors and for the second
piece or plate. Tne distance was fixed at twenty
miles, and the course from Harlem Bridge to the
stakeboat of Gibsons, Ninetysecond street, and
back five times.
Time being allowed the second class boats the Ted
die and Seaman Raynor started at quarter to one
O'Clock and the larger boats fourteen minutes later
They went of splendldly and dashed the spray from
their bows In lne style. II was blowing very resh
and fears were entertained that 'fupsetO would
occur. Fortunately, however, owing to the admra-
BILE way the little craft were managed, no accident
OF tnat nature happened TO mar the pleasure OF the
day. Tedde came in ahead on the first round at
ten minutes to two, closely followed by Nap. The
Three Sisters came in next and the Seaman Raynor
brought up the rear. In going down toward Gibson
the boats had to beat against the wind and the
but they had the wind right aft In the
run toward the bridge. The pace was very rapid
as they passed the club house the first time the
nomeWard stretch, and considerable skill was dis
played in Jbbing to weather the fagboat The wind
fell on the water IN sudden gusts which rendered
this maneuvre exceedingly dangerous. The Teddie
rounded the nagboat nicely, and stretched across
towards the club house on the first tack at slash
Ing pace followed, In the order already given, by
the other contestants. Except for the few minutes
ing down the river, but little could be Of the
yachts untl their return About forty-ive minutes
bend. She was The Nap now ar ahead OF the
Iedale ana the others, aad plunging madly towards
Ieadle, and bringing up the rear, out this time
further behind the rest the little Seaman Raynor.
Tue wind seemed to be increasing steadily, and
nothing but careful watching on the part Of the
several commanders and the deXterlty OF the men
hanng the ballast OF the boats prevented the occur
renee OF an accident. In attempting to round the
naeboat the Three Sisters missed stays and fell to
leeward finally rouing with the dock near Harlem
Bridge. Without waiting for the Judges decision
the commander. as soon as ne got way on, again
made for the Clue house and drew out OF the race,
her ruader When nearIy opposite The wharf az 10Th
street, but her crew improvised one or
rather two, with pieces of boards, and the
Wiling craft ooeyed with alacrity, sailing OIL
most as well as before. The Nap returned
10 the dock at the club house shortly alter the Three
Sisters; but the smaller yachts contended 10 the
last. 1t was nearly dark wnen the Teddie, coming
on the last round quarter OF o mile ahead OF her
adversary, the Seaman Raynor, brought the regatta
to close. The wind was bitterly cold during the
day. and The eight or ten persons who had witnessed
the contest between the yachts, rom the bleak
wharf, were glad to escape home to dinner as soon
as the decision OF the Judge was rendered. AS an
exhibition OF the speed of catrigged boats and as
demonstration OF their adaptabity Tor such narrow
waters as Harlem, the affair proved quite successful