The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-25
Y A @ II Il I N q
Regatta OF the Manhattan
Yacht Club.
A Magnificent Day and Crowds
of Spectators.

The aquatic sporting season is opening wen. ana
gives fair promise OF being an unusually brilliant
one. The contagion OF the desire to navigate the
waters In elegant craft seems TO be spreading
rapidly. The ruder ana more robust species OF
amusement fast giving place to the cultivation
of this more aristocratlc pastime. The re9atta
OF the Manhattan, comparatively young club,
yesterday, was unusually exciting contest. From
an early hour In the morning the river In the vicinity
OF Harlem was studded with gayly decorated b0ars
OF every possible size, shape and RIG. The steam
boats plying up and down the river flung out their
largest and
MOST BRILLIANT BUNTING
to the breeze In honor or the event. The excursion
boat that was Intended to accompany the Meet
was literally crammed with people anxious
TO see the yachts at work. The view Of
this ever-cnanglng panorama from tho club
house at the foot OF Ninety-second street
was one well calculated to attract the great NUN.
bers who assembled there to see the boats start
The club house ITSELF from the front facade to the
head OF the pier, in the rear, was completely fes-
TONED with rags-old GRIP Van wlnkle." just
awaking from mis- long ana peaceful slumbers on .
piece OF bunting flying Immediately under the club
co0rs, seemed looking into
THE BLUE UNCL0UDED VAULT
above as II peti:ionng the venerable Eolus to put
on gentle pressure for the occasion. The arrival
OF the different vessels at the starting point was
made the signal for waving of hats, handkerchlefs
and loud hnzzas. Bets upon the relative qualities OF
boats OF dfferent classes were freely offered aud
taken and the general interest manifested In the
race was most exciting Almost every one present
VINO pretended to be posted had avorite. and each
one proclaimed his choice unreservedly. Seven
boats were entered for the race, comprising two
classes. The Nancy the property of Mr.. 8. X. SimD
son; the Mystery, Jacob Cooper, and the Sarah.
Hitchman. were the first class. The Skipjack, !.
Brassington; Boz, lslip; Sophia ", Jacob Varlan.
and Emma Sophia, J. N. Varlan, made the second
class.
THE SIGNAL TO PREPARE
was given at twelve O'Clock precisely from the
steamboat Fort Lee by the regatta committee. Tho
choice Of position was drawn for and the yachts
got quickly into line with jlbs down. At fifteen
minutes past twelve exactly the whistle was blown,
up went the jbs the sails quietly rounded ana
filed and on they scudded In beautiful order. the
Nancy slightly in advance. Old Sol was at his
height and looked down comDacenty from his gold.
throne upon the lovely scene beneath. The wild,
which was scarcely stronger than y zephyr, blew
directly from the west, leaving the broad, placid
bosom OF the river glltterng In the sun. Though
navigalors 1t was most welcome to ali who stood
upon the shors g It prol9uyea ths picture q tle
--r:-s- THE STRENGTH OF THE rIDS - -
soon separated the fleet, and. as they Rdcd over
the slvery surface OF water every inch
set. they looked like things pregnant with lfe Tho
graceful huls, unswayed by the press OF SAIL moved
maescally away, until they rounded the point VI
Wards island anu were lost to view.
THE COURSE
was rom the anchorage passing between Wards
Island and Long Island to the northward OF Rikers
Island, south OF the buoy on Fort Schuyler and
westward OF the stepping stone buoy" thence 20
and around Sands Point buoy rounding that from
leeward TO windward returning over the same
course, rounding the home stakeboat from leeward
to windward.
THE TIME OF THE RACE
was so arranged That II any yacht OF the eet sailed
over the In six hours 1t was 10 he considered
q race for every class. Allowance was based upon
length only, and Was computed according to the
regulations or the club for twenty-mlle race when
boats are measured, which are as fOows:-