The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-23

Present indications point to the coming spring as
season OF unprecedented rivalry and llvelness IN
the annals Of American yachting. Just now our
yachtmen are all agog with excitement over pro-
posed ocean races and contemplated pleasure trips
TO Europe. and the minnows and leviathans of cur
yacht fleets are alike thirstlng for the sport to begin
Several Of the larger vessels belonging to the New
York Yacht Club are preparing for ocean voyages
and even number OF the smaller craft are, we I'M
derstand about 10 drop the barnaces and seaweed
or smooth water idleness for the stirring and
exhilarating influences OF "0d Oceans" spray
Ing life. Alterations and improvements are the
order OF the day, and judging from present appear
ances,we are led 10 expect exceedingly lively times
Many OF our yachts now undergoing repairs pre-
paratory to the spring campaign. Some are to be
heightened others are TO be so altered as to I'M
prove their sailing qualities, and before May several
new yachts OF large dimensions will IN all proba-
billy be added to the New York leet.
The yacht Sappho, which but recently returned
from Europe, has been sold By the Messrs. Poillon
10 Mr. William Douglass, the late owner OF the yacht
Restless, and who is an expert yachtman. The
sappho returned in excellent condition after her
ocean voyage, aud Is now lying Mt the shipyard OF
her former owners, foot OF Bridge street. Brooklyn
where she is undergoing a thorough oyerhanling
Her mainmast has been taken ont ana IL to DO
brought six feet further forward, with the idea of
improving her speed and making her easier to han
OF the vessel II Is thought that she Will tack much
easier than heretofore, and as her main boom VIII
her sailing qualities viii likewise be materially in.
creased by the extra spread OF canvas which
win be gained by the engthening OF the room. Both
foremost and manmast are to be given little more
rake, and other slight improvements and alterations
VIII be made in her rigging and appointments.
THESE improvements compile .ed 1t Is Thought the
Sapph0 will be as taut craft o. any In the Yacht
Club neet, and she VIII GO forth on her voyage TO
Europe next spring In good condition, undes he
command OF o thorou ghgong seaman, fully pre-
pared to redeem the prestige enc lost last summer
IN her contest with the Cambria, Aiine and other
British craft The Sappho will be ready for
about the LIST OF May, aud Is one OF the many New
York yachts that are booked for Europe. Her atera-
tons VIII cost about 100000
AT the same shpyarl the keel OF new yacht Is
now being laid for Mr.. George Lorard the former
owner OF the yacht Eva, and who, 1t VIII be remeni-
bered, crossed over 10 England In the yacht Nesta
IN the memorable ocean race OF December 1868.
40 expense IA TO be spared in the construction 0.
this vessel, and when completed Il expected that
she VIII he one OF the strongest and fastest yachts
aoaf. She L. to be built OF white oak. locust and
hackmatack and her iittingsup are to be Of a de-
cidedly luxurious character. she Is to be con
structed after new modc designed by Mr. Robert
Fish, gentleman who enjoys u reputation fof bis
production OF specimens OF marine architecture not
second TO that once enjoyed by the late George
steers, the builder OF the Yacht America and other
famous feet craft Mr.. Fish designed the model OF
the Eva one OF the fastest yachts that ever gfaccd
our waters; also the model vl the Challenge and
several other Wen known yachts each Of which
has gained good reputation for speed and grace
1ul construction. Tie Yacht. II IL estimated,
VIII cost ABOUT 100000 and viii rate about $50 tons
Naval ArchifceiuYc--Thc Tonnage OF Yachts.
New YORK, Jan. q, 1899.
TO TIE EDITOR or the NLw YORK HEgALp:--
have read with much Interest the correspondence
which has lately taken place in reference 10 the tom
mage AMI Measurement OF yashts The very sim.
pcst question Is 50 mixed up that IL Is utterly i'm
possible for any one Of ordinary capacity 70 under
stand whether the Darntcss twice large as the
Cambria or the Cambria twice as large as the
Daun,less. First we have carpenters measurements,
then custom house measurement, then New York
Club measurement, aud now our heads are stili
further bewdered by another standard-viz., the
Thames } acl CLUB measurement. The encourage
ment given TO yachtmcn during tue last century Ia
manly due 20 the fact that every yacht buit h TO
certain extent practical experiment tending to I'M
prove naval architecture.
inis must be admitted by all, and. therefore, u
seems 10 me That IN. llrs step 10 take u To start fair
and arrange a universal standard oi. measurement
by which every yacht asoat should he estimated.
me OBJECT sought J. TO pass given weight or bulk
through the water AZ the greatest possible speed,
aud II s Tor yaclitinen 10 cOitriyc lines and expert
lhcnt on ths. What chance, however, H. there now
Tor the yachimcn whea half dozen standards or
measurement are In use. by which the smaller vessel
by one measurement is the larger ~ auotherf
weight or bu'k 10 DC carried must dispace water
ana " does sccln W rue that the very simplest
standard OF measurement IL displacement. TAIs IN
al yachts eau be calculated 10 "a pound. Why not
therefore, drop tue carpenter, the custom house and
| the Thames, and simply ton yacht ny her actual
! displacement
~ al illustration " this my own yacht Ia vari.
ousy estnated from $40 10 $50 tons. Yours faiiii-
| fully, T. W. KENNARD.