The New York herald., 1870-08-31
The YaeLtIns season.

Aho auuuai cruise OF tne New I Ork I acht
Club has this year been unusually interesting,
many circumstances contributing to make it
among the most pleasant ever held under the
auspices Of the organization. The large num-
ber of yachts that participated in the event,
the splendid condition of the feet, the excellent
arrangements, the cordial welcome accorded
to the yachtmen at every port where their
vessels came to anchor, the esprit dc corps
existing among the members and the COM
panionship of o representative British yacht
rendered the cruise quite memorable in it's
way. There is now but little doubt that
yachting is fast becoming the leading pastime
OF the nation. Its popularity is rapidly
increasing, and it may be safely predicted
that In few years the squadron of
the New York Yacht Club will surpass
anything of the kind in the world.
The oommendabls rivalry shown in the club
to possess the fastest vessels aloat, the per-
severing efforts everywhere made to bring
yachting as near perfection as possible, the
time, labor and expense spent in experiment.
Ing, cannot but be attended with the much de-
been given to the sport, and for every yacht
built lsst year there will perhaps be half
dozen new ones ready for next season. On
the whole, then, the annual cruises, while
afording pleasure and entertainment, are not
without fruitful lessons to the yachtmen.
Among other things. the delightful expedition
which terminated so satisfactorily on Wednes-
day last at Newport demonstrated the fact
that American models are by no means in
ferior to those of England, taking the Cambria
as good type Of the British yacht. Indeed,
in great many respects our pleasure feet is
ahead Of any other, and so far as architectu
raj beauty, working apparatus and modern i'm
provements are concerned, American yachts
surpass all others.
Throughout the cruise Mr.. Ashbury's vessel
attracted much attention, owing to her peculiar
build, and, although unsuccessful in many Of
her ventures, she sailed much better than most
people anticipated. Light winds characterized
the majority of the contests; but with a good
cloud of canvas she generally held q fair posi-
ton. The run from Glen Cove, for instance,
was mere drifting affair Then followed the
race for Mr.. Ashburys fifty guinea cup, the
course being from Fort Adams around the buoy
off Block Island and return The prize fell to
the swift and now famous schooner yacht
Magic, owned by one of our most enterprising
and ardent yacbtmen. There were some If
teen competitors, including the Cambria, which
won the cup presented by the New York Yacht
Club. On the following day the Palmer de-
feated the Cambria in a match race twenty
miles to windward and back. In the contest
which succeeded it, between the Idler and the
Cambria, the terms and course being the same
as on the day previous, the former yacht split
her stem, which took some time to remedy,
and the British craft came in the winner by
about eight minutes. The run from Newport
to New Bedford created the usual pleasurable
excitement, and the reception given by the
Inhabitants was quite enthusiastic The Magic
and Dauntless dropped their anchors simulta-
neously, the Cambria and the other yachts
following in close proximity. A capital run
took place the next afternoon from New Bed
ford to the Oak Bluffs, in the vicinity of the
Martha's Vineyard camp meeting. The Magic
was again the first to arrive, the Halcyon next;
then came tho Sappho, Dauntless, Phantom
and Cambria. Towards night the breeze, it
will be remembered, freshened considerably
and as the anchorage ground was not consid-
cred sufficiently good the feet sailed for Ed
gartown on the following day, the Sappho
leaving some time in the night, owing to her
insecure position. The yachts lay at anchor
the next day, some four or five Of them having
sailed directly for Newport and elsewhere.
fortnight had now almost elapsed since
the feet left Glen Cove, and the last
race of the cruise took place on the
23d instant. Nine schooner yachts entered,
and the regulations provided that only four
lower sails should be used. 1t was when
about to accompany the contestants that the
favorite and famous America became disabled
by running into a working schooner. The
accident was deeply regretted. Among the
competing yachts was the Cambria, but when
long way astern she abandoned the race and
set full sail. The victory of the Phantom was
clear and decided, and on the following morn
ing the feet was formally dsbanded. But the
season is not over. A splendid programme
of races is announced to take place from New.
port. The competition will be keen, owing to
the preparations now being made for the sew
eral contests. The first event comes off on the
Sth September, for q cup presented by the
Vice Commodore; then follows a race for a
cup offered by the Rear Commodore. Mr..
Ashbury gives two prizes, one for schooners
and the other for sloops, and in case no sloop
yachts enter both prizes will be taken by the
first schooner. Mr.. Rutherford presents a
cup, to be won by the second schooner.
The first mentioned race will be sailed
according to the club rules as to canvas, but
| there will be no allowance for difGerance in