The New York herald., 1869-03-28
YACHTING IN ENGLAND.


YACHTING IN ENGLAND.
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Mr. Ashbnry's PosIfioa-Thames HEcasurc-
Msnt in the English Ciubs--Its Uniairness
Observation-Disclosures to Changing the
Ruie--.rac Cambria.
LONDON, March 10, 1882
The unfortunate position in which MIR. Ashbury,
the owner of the British yacht Cambria, has been
placed since his first gallant challenge to American
yachtmen, through the want OF uniformity In mea-
suring yachts for tonnage and the singular discre-
pancy between the venerable Thames measurement
and all other systems, Is creating quite an excite
ment among the various clubs on this side or the
Atlantic. 1t Is felt and not without rea-
son, that Mr.. Ashbury, through his allegiance
to the English rules, has been placed In the false
position OF having appeared to back out OF
an ocean race for which he had proiessed to
be eager, mere technically, or to avail himself
Of a one-sided and absurd system OF measurement
to obtain an undue advantage over competitor
Various propositions have therefore been made for
a revision OF the whole subject OF measurement, 50
tnat yachts o. nearly equal tonnage might not be
made to appear upon paper to direr 100 per cent,
and so that gallant yachtman, spelling for race,
might not feel himself compelled as rigid discipline
ran to decline the contest with competitor after CON-
pettor after having put forth liberal achallenge as
that offered by Mr.. Ashbury, between two and three
months SINCE. 1t seems to be conceded all sides
that, IN view Of the difference model OF the Ameri-
can and English yachts, tho Thames measurement is
absurdly unfair towards the Americans, and in
race between the two countries no candid person
can see any reason why the contendlng vessels
should be subject to the Thames measurement any
more than to the New York measurement. Yet bv
New York measurement the Dauntless and the
Sapph0 are both within few tons OF the Cambria,
wniie by the partial Thames measurement tney
are both made TO about double on paper
best method OF equalizing the measurement Is
consequently the only point upon which English
made through the papers, but they all to
opposition, and quite number Of advocates Of the
old system are lOund who deprecate any change at
ALL Of course this must be ATTRIBUTED to the pecu
lIarly conservative character OF wealthy EnglIsmen
ana not any desire to retain an undue advantage
over rival vessels. The upshot OF the whole matter
appears to be tnat the question OF IT,
he referred 70 the Yacht Congress- and 80 far Mr.
AsnDury and his recent challenge Is concerned, you
VIII see ~ his letter to Mr. Douglas, OF the New
York CluD thar he expresses his willingness abide
by any mode OF measurement upon which the con-
gre-s decide.
THIS all very fair, far 1t goes; but 1t does
not appear unreasonable to suggest tat as inter-
national race Is proposed betwee1 American and
BRUSH yachts, America should be represented with
cred Go settle thus Important question: OF measure-
ment 80 lar as such contests are concerned. In
deed. the proceedings OF the Yacht Congress q
lew days since do not seem to hold out much pro-
mise or any action on us part that viii remove the
dilcnlty ut present in tho OF the acceptance OF
American yachtmen's propositions bv their Eng
lisn friends. Inc chairman OF the congress,
alter some discussion, announced that it was the In
tention to adhere 20 the Thames measurement for
the present year-a fact whicn seems likely 10 put
stop TO the projected ocean race OF the Cambria. 1t
meeting held out promise OF some iair adjustment
Ol the difficulty through the medium OF the congress-
but ms eagerness for race may render hlm more
hopeful In this direction than are Others who are
anxious to see such contest come OF upon some
thing like far and equal terms.
i.a nnaA a hQ otnvx
the 18th Of the present month, and VIII be ready
for sea on the 10Th OF April Her owner has already
procured very beautiful and unique prize for the
winner Of the ocean from Cowes TO New York,
So that nothing seems to be wanGng but vessel
which 1t will SUIT him to sail against Let hope
that he may flnd himself in the position OF the
we-advancei bachelor VINO, having made up his
and ring FOR the bride az Che rss sep in sae eue
ration. and then Jailed to ina lady 10 share in tne
speculation.
captain Lovett, OF the Royal Thames Yacht Club
has contributed E2J0 prize for race from the
Thames to Gibraltar provided that ten yachts OF any
each ana contend for the victory. H i've American
yachts snoud come over TINS spring and enter for
thus 1t may come Or. In that case ave EngIlsh
yachts would no doubt be snaDied into entering
but otherwise the Captains proposition is not likely
to be taken up.
The Owner Of tho Cambria Defines His
Position.
At recent meeting In London OF the Royal
Victoria Yacht Club the heath OF MIR. Ashbury
was given, with some expressions complimentary
to the Cambria ana to her Contemplated trip to
America.
Mr.. Ashbury, In responding, said the question or
contcnding for the cup held by the Americans. and
which must be looked upon an International
trophy, was first raised by him when the Royal
Victoria Yacht Club gave Its annual dinner. about
twelve months ago; and he then suggested that
a challenge should be sent over to tncir friends
| across the water. lie did so on that occasion
not 10 much from any feelings OF q selfish
or cgotistica character, but with tho simple
| desire that bo should do his part, In con-
junction with Others to endcavor, n possible, to
bring back to this country that cup which had been
| taken ilOm them so many years ago ana unf0rtu-
period. tHear hear.l IL was not for him to enter
into the reasons why his brother yacntmen had not
joined him when nc proposed TO go over there; but
no might say that 0ns before the Sapph0 over
here had had The idea Of crossing the Atlantic In
| conjunction with other English yachtmen. About
/ twelve months ago he had suggested tnat q prize
| be given oi sufficient magnitude to Induce their
ican brethren to come across 10 these waters to
test their capabilities, and afterwards to race them
/ across to New York. Ills suggestion was that
| q certain sum should be subscribed among yacht
| men, and probably among the outside pubc-lor he
looked upon the matter rs an international affair."
| whereby q splendid prize could be offered; and 80
far ~ was concerned, no then intlnated his will
lngness to enter the Cambria and subscribe any
fon 81 to f5O0. Ho had had the honor ol throwing
cut that suggestion last year. but II had not been
| tagen up. ue hoped they would agree with nm,
! alter having vcnLlrcd to send the challenge to
America in the form and In the manner he oid, that
he had not done with any personal or selfish mo-
tive. lliear, hear) lie deeply regretted, IN common
| 80 long q period should have been permitted to
elapse without an effort being made TO bring hacx
the sappno ne regretted very much inat the
nature OF his engagements to go 70 Madeira
and the Mcdnerranean with party OF friends pre-
that vessel: but II they cam0 TO remember tho date