The New York herald., 1870-05-02

VIEW LoNDoN, Apfli 1otV.
This good, od.fashloned city, though not having
found the elixir Of life yet seems to opple along ON
accommodating sea-legs Pcrsonined, it resembles
an old tar who, having travelled to the odd ends OF
the earth, delights to SIT down the iorecastle and
spin yarn OF his biiuy days. Thus New London
reposes on her history. Formerly she was one OF the
leading whaling ports on the Atlantic seaboard,
and SIXTY sail were engaged IN the fruitful seas;
now but twenty-five clear from her harbor. This
heavy diminution has resulted from the scarcity
OF whales, from the discovery OF petroleum
and the stagnation Of American shirbuilding. Yet
the signs OF her former glory visible through her
streets and along her piers and wharves. 6ee that
man; he was an old whalerp "Looki there goes
retired sea captain w ana excIamatons Of like
character dispose Of almost The entire male popua-
ton But it is gratifying to observe that progress Is
popular word In this maritime city. Trade Il
Frightening and commercial business Is assuming
lively phase. On Wednesday whaer arrived from
the South Atlantic with 700 barrels OF Oil on board
reporting 1t Is said, tho discovery OF valuable cruis
ing ground. This will be q boon to shipowners, and
VIII promote the shipping interests Of New London,
1t prove true. In immediate local enterprises there
are none wortliier or more pubic-spirted Than the
completion Of Prentlce's
SECTIONAL DRY DOCK,
under the charge OF Mr.. Charles Prentice, I'd;
and this brings US to tile immediate absorbing que6-
non-yachting. This sectional dock, though not
built expressly for the reception OF yachts, has been
adapted that schoOncrs drawing less than ten feet
Of water can be buDyed up or repairs or cleaning.
The dock icselr has been CONSTRUCTED In hollow {.
tions With appropriate valves and by the simple ad
mission Of water can be sunk in twenty minutes.
Force pumps operating under motive power from
boiler shore discharge the water from the tanks
and after the yacht Is oatcd Oa the cradle the work
OF raising VIII occupy less than an hour BY EN-
ployirxy dock OF this Kind vessels built with such
extreDe nicely for speed yachts not strained
In their lines or timbers.
AT the sail lofts there Is much activity but in ma
rine building there arc 10 evidences OF enterprise.
All that is interesting concerns the six schooners
Phantom, Magic Palmer, Flcctwing, Rambler and
Sive, which lie OIL the shore to either side OF the
river, undergoing repairs, alterations and the intro
ducuon Of new features which 1t is believed will
have no inconsldcrable influence upon their future
performances In competing with the Cambria for the
cup VI 1851 These SIX yachts are among The finest
ana assuredy among the tastes in American wat rs.
They vary from LOG to 200 tons New York Yacht Club
measurement; have most OF the peculiarites Of
what is known the pure American model;
are historical for their aquatic trumphs,
and are owned ana sailed by gentlemen OF
high repute and long and valuable experience as
seaIncn. That among them will lie many advan-
tages for triumph ia the coming contests any one
who gives them q careful examination can scarcely
doubt They certainly realize in most every single
model those deSiderat0 which, on this side Of the
Atlantic, we claim bring speed, seaworthiness, easy
movements under the helm, Stiffness under press
OF canvas. elegance on the exterior and great
cabin capacity.
Canvassing, perhaps always underratad in i'm.
in ia ra, Orpo
deal OF attention on board the schoon-
rs lying in this harbor. The spars are Ell her
being lenghened or reduced and the leverage
forward increased or diminished, according TO the
Opiion Of the owner. Generally, in these SIX yachts
the tendency is to reduce the amount OF canvas and
get rid Of superHuous quantity OF ballast; for 1t is
manifestly advantageous to obtain the highest speed
with the least sail. OF such great Importance will
be the minhtest particulars concerning the schoon.
ers which enter for the cup OF 1851 and also in
the regatts and races Of the coming season, that we
give detailed statement OF the conditions dimen-
sons alterations and peculiarities the construc-
ton and rigging Ofeach.
TIE PHANTOM
has the reputation among yachtmen OF beng, under
all conditions OF wind and tide, the eetest schooner
in this country. She is the property Of Commodore
H. G. Stehbins, Of the New York Yacht Club. who is
one OF the most popular and genial OF men. Every
she is spoken OF as a schooner IRON which may be
expected brilliant record tor the season OF 1870
she is by no means maara Large yacht int ss
y allowed crew Of twsntysx, n, men Her
principle upon which her model has been con.
structed Her depth Of hold is seven Ieet; her
breadth OF beam, measured from the yachts skin,
finsh with the deck at the main hatch, twenty-four
feet, and her length over all 100 feet. This shows
X.
ceed5 In her tendency to great beam and shallow
hold any American schooner yacht, except the
the command OF her. helm and has the property Of
forging ahead In stays to charming degree. These
doubtedy, from the outline, Of her hull and from a
full embodiment of the broad Tin double sense)
THE CAMBRIA
1t is well to compare their dimensions
Ihe Cambria is 24s tons Gyew. YORK Yacht Club
measuremepi), 102 feet over all; has breadth OF
beam Of 81 feet and depth Of hold Of IL feet Tie
Oambria's hold Is therefore more than half her
opposed 70 an extraordinarily broad.beamed centre
board schooner No one wiz fail to appreciate the
Just twice as lalge-that Is, measures twice az many
tons--as the Phantom, and The English yacht VIII
therefore asye TO aow sso1n
spin along very easily at fifteen knots an hour, and
makes even better run under the most favorable
the result from all the facts before us, there need be
but little fear that the American Cup VIII cross the
broad Atlantic. The Phantonls centre board ID
sixteen feet long pivots we'll forward and has
proved enicacoas Ia regulating the amount Of
lateral resistance. The dimenslobs ol her spars
follows, taken from the graft OF her sails, and
therefore correct 10 accuracy
Feet Fet.
Mspmaat........ 79 Between headstaya...... l6
Foremost. ~ OutbOsrd of nvng bstay
Topniasts, each. 30 Hoist OF mansai s.
Main 68 Hoist OF foresa.. "
Main gaff. Is Hoist Of Jlb........... 20
Fore enf. 30 Hoist OF lying jib 81
Fofc bcorn 80 Hoist OF jib topsail I04
Bowspft outboard.. 22.6 Hoist Of sluaresai... 81
SQuaresatl yard........ 36
Besides these sails she spreads two jib headed