The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-09
= "A G II r I NJ G..
Match Race Between the Beats Sophia Emma
and General Tweed.
A Close contest-Fretty Sight or Famrapo. N.
1.-THE Sophia Emma the Winner.

Many OF the members OF the General Tweed Club
an organization composed Of the aquatic gentlemen
found III The ranks of the pleasant Morning Clio
res-gathered at McGiehan's Pamrap0, n. j., yes
terday 10 witness race between The open boats
Sophia Emma and General Tweed-the former Of
the Manhattan and the latter OF the Harlem Yacht
Club One week before the owners attempted at
the same place TO determine which OF these pretty
crafts possessed the most speed, but an accident
soon after starting compelled the Tweed to abandon
the race Meanwhile the latter had her rig changed
from that or a catboat to jib ana mainsail, alike
TO her opponent. There was much commendable
feeling In tine matter and the owners OF both boats
did their utmost to secuie good crews ana sailing
masters.
They succeeded as Joe Ellsworth, OF Pamrapo,
and six or his amateur sailors manned the Sophia
Emma. and Harry Smedley, OF Brooklyn, ana ten OF
his Jolly water dogs the General Tweed. The weather
was delightful for the event. Scores OF cockeshells,
laden with men and boys anxious 10 see the start OF
the contcnding crafts, lay OF and on In the bay,
making with the enthusiastic gentlemen on shore,
a lively picture. 1t was agreed that the course
should be from McGichan's dock to Fort Lafayette
and return twice. making in all twenty EIGHT miles.
The boats were very different in matter oil SIZE the
General Tweed being IS feet in length, and the
Sophia Emma p feet 10 inches. AS there was set
tied upon an allowance Of time OF two minutes the
foot the General Tweed was compelled to allow her
opponent twelve minutes, five OF when she accepted
AT The start, reservng the remainder until the close
OF the struggle. When In readiness the scene about
the bay was really enchanting. In the midst OF the
many visiting boats The taut sloop yacht Flying
Cloud lay at anchor, prettly dressed Tor the occa
sion, which in no small degree contributed to the
beauty OF the picture. Messrs. Wylie and Bailey
were accepted as Judges. The General NV ed ran
up balloon jlp, winch. with ner enormous NAM
sail and jlb, made her look little overloaded win
canvas. Word for the start was satisa cory given,
~ "a -
Sophia Emma ERA General Tweed 800
The wind from the southwest and quite light,
but yet the interval u five minutes TO the boys OF
The Tweed when waiting for the word seemed an
age. There was but little difficulty in sailing the
boats, as the wind las free both In going and re-
turning, and consequently there were but lew
chances for the respective crews to DISPLAY their
known abilities as excellent sailors. On the first
time around the Sophia Emma was Decallned for a
wnile but she quickly recovered ner lost ground,
under Staten Island pointing for The sakepoat,
skilluly wlnded the Tweed. ana no amount OF en-
deavor on the part Of Captain Smedley could out
genera. her from the position.
For two hundred yards IN approaching the stake
boat, IN first rounding it, the tiny craft almost
touched eacn other, and 1t was The universal express
OF the spectators that 1t was The prettcs sight
they ever witnessed Of It's character. The General
Tweed was delayed somewhat IN first gong around
by carrying away one OF the shrOuds, which, no
doubt, caused her to lose mnue or so. The race
exciting as each and every man knew il was the
last chance, anu the struggle Tor supremacy com.
menced in great earnest Near to the Staten Island
the General Tweed eat ahead OF the Sophia and
rounded Fort Lafayette minute in advance, ana
although all ner sails drew very wen, the big b
being or infinite service, and she arrived at the
home staKeb0at first she lost the race In the matter
OF allowance OF time, by two minutes and fifty Sec
onds. The following table will give the time OF
turning the home stakeDoat, of going arouna the
course each time ana the duration OF the race
FIRST TINE ABOUND.
Sophia Emma.....4 ~ 81 General Tweed. 10 40
Time of sailing.... 55 10 Time saing.... 90 20
SECOND TIME ABOUND
General Tweed. Is 10 Sophia Emma..... 6 II 10
Time sailing. So 20 Time OF sailing. - 81 40
General Tweed. " on SOPHIA Emma...... 10 20
Thus the Tweed was at the home stakeboat four
minutes and ten seconds III advance OF the Sophia
Emma; but with her allowance OF time, the latter
won the race, with two minutes ana fifty seconds TO
SPARE.