The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-11
YACHTING.
Tho Contest Between the Rambler and the
Masic-A Gontie Broezo and a Pretty
Race-The Magic tho Winner.

Tho Contest Between the RambIer and the
Masic-A Gentle Brcczc and Pretty
Race-The Magic tho Winner.
Though scarcely so exciting as anticipated, for
the weather throughout was most treacherous the
race yesterday between the schooner yachts Rambler
and Magic was, nevertheless, well contested strug-
gle. No yachting event during the present season
has given rise to more speculation; none was GER
tany looked forward to with greater pleasure.
With praiseworthy confidence the owner OF the
Rambler (Mr. Banker, stsked double $4,000 70 $500
on his yacht, while the owner OF the Magic tMr.
Franklin Osgood) was equally sanRuine OF suc-
cess. Both vessels were thoroughly equipped
for the race, and q thorough test OF their
capacities was earnestly awaited. Unhapplly, how
ever, that desirable result was hardly obtained;
for. while cordially acknowledging the splendid
victory OF the Magic thorough trial Of either yacht
was not determined, owing to the insufhciency Of
wind. Yet Notwithstanding the variableness Of the
weather. the race was full OF interest and not little
OF excitement, owing to the close proximity Of the
vessels Throughout the entire contest 1t was a
regular stern cnase from nrst to last-a chase that
brought into requsitiOn much skill and science and
considerable display Of good seamanship. Truth
to say, both yachts were handled in magnificent
style; for where there was such absence Of wind
tact, Judgment and experience were Indispensable.
So far as the sailing went, therefore, nothing was
left undone, and the contest. on the WHOLE was .
splendid display. rrist. fY
II The yacht Rambler "a about LOS tons and the
Magic about seventyve tons less than that measure
ment Gotten up in the most luxurious style and
both anxious for yachting fame, though the Magic
is well known as the winner Of many prizes
in the New York Yacht Club regattas. 1t was not
unlikely that they should contend for superiority.
Tha match was speedily brought about and the
arrangements were completed In q true yachtman-
like manner. 1t was agreed thai the race should he
sailed over the course of the New York Yacht Club,
from a stakeboat OF the club house around the
Southwest Spit to the lghtshp and return, being a
distance Of about forty miles. The competitors
were in prompt attendance at eleven O'Clock yester
day morning and only awaited the signal to depart.
APPEARANCE OF THE YACHTS.
Two more thoroughly prepared contestants never
entered for race Both presented very handsome
appearance and pore all the sembance of first class
racers. A prettier vessel than the Magic could not
have been Witnessed her lines being ali that the
most sanguine yachtman could desire, while the
Rambler, stanch though symmetrical, sat beaut
fully. Unhappily there was but very little wind,
and the early prospects OF the contest were
somewhat depressing. At eleven O'Clock the
yachts had taken their positions inside
the stakeboat. The Magic lay nearest the Staten
Island shore, and the Rambler about 100 yards to
eastward Of her. Captain Jacob II. Vanderbilt and
Mr. william B. Duncan Officiated as judges and
quickly completed the preliminary arrangements.
Several yachts belonging to the club were in attend
ance to witness the departure OF the vessels.
THE START
was ably effected at quarter past eleven O'Clock.
welcome though very slight breeze sprung up
from the south, the yachts having the first of the
ebb tide. The Magic was the first to get OF, the
Rambler setting her jib, jlb tOpsai and dying Jb
and otherwise spreading her canvas fully, though
she ACKNOWLEDGMENT it considerably, owing
to the absence OF sufficiently strong wind. Having
set her sails the Rambler fell OF on the port tack,
while the Magic, with jib, fore and mainsail and
main gafftopsa paved of on the starboard tack
and went forth gently with lead. head
ing towards Fort Lafayette. BY taking the
land breeze the Rambler doubtless expected to
obtain the weather gauge Of her swift opponent,
but the Magic walked up to windward In excellent
STYLE evidently determined to hold her own. The
breeze now hauled to the southeast and the race
was commenced apparently under suspicious cir.
cumstances.
THROUGH THE NARRows.
There was but little difference In the position OF
the vessels on their approach to the Narrows the
Magic, however, being somewhat to windward, DO tn
being at the time in stays and the starboard tack
The wind was something like o dve knot AFFAIR." but
the Magic nevertheless drew away perceptfbly when
nearing the fort although the Rambler looked up to
windward rather better than BEFORE Both vessels
not slow TO set their fore gan topsais the wind
dropping out considerably. When clear through the
Narrows the Magic was fully quarter Of mile
ahead, and, favored by fresh breeze, which, how.
ever, was Of short duration, headed towards the
extreme point Of the COney Island shore. The RAM
bier came neatly through the Narrows, and now the
race c0mmsnced in earnest.
TO TIL. SOUTHWEST SPIT.
There was buC little variation in the positions of
the vessels for some time after quitting the Mar.
Both kept steadily on the port tack, the Magic
TIL maintaining her distance, being little over
quarter OF Q mile to wind ward when abreast Of
Coney Island Point. At about ten minutes past
twelve O'Clock both vessels, in stays, were of the
buoy OF the West Bank, there ing scarcely sum-
cient wind to send them along. The Rambler
hitherto kept up hot pursuit after the Magic, but
the slight breeze which had so favored them had
now almost completely died out and the white
sheets Mapped lazIly in the sun. In q few minutes
the wind sprung up again from the southeast with
the most delightful results The Rambler was the
first on the starboard tack. the Magic all the while
taking the wind on the port tack The breeze now
eshenng the interest in the race began to increase
and from all appearances grand struggle was at
issue as the two yachts stood towards the east
ward The Magic decidedly increased the dis
lance between herself and the Rambler though
the appearance OF the latter, as she scudded
along excited great admiration. From all appear.
ances II was evident that the Rambler had been
greatly improved In model. At ten minutes to one
O'Clock the Magic was well up to windward, favored
by q freshening breeze and was evidently dropping
the Rambler with considerable speed the wind thea
being southeast. The yachts were now heading for
the Southwest Spit oil available being spread
forth the breeze. The Rambler kept up her stern
chase In excellent style, though, as the aspect OF
anair- now stood, her approach to the Magic was
matter of dniculfy. After very pretty and inter-
es'ing struggle the yachts rounded the Southwest
spit az foilows-
III. N. s.
Magic. IL Do
Rambler IL 81 15
There was now steady seven knot breeze, and as
everything looked promising, the race began to be
somewhat exciting. The Magic was fully q mile
shp the distance between the yachts neither