The New York herald., 1871-09-08

au. PORTLAND. Me-. Sept. !, 1871.
The yachting season virtually closed here to-day
with the regatta OF the Portland Yacht Cuo.
the fourth year this young. but vigorous, associa-
tiOn Of yachtsmen. Tho weather through the day
was nne, ana the arrangements for the occasion
were more elaborate tnan BEFORE ana weru au Jaif.
The club owns sixteen yachts, aud niue rendez-
voused IN the lower harbor for
ae tiur THR RACE.
About halfpast ten they took flying start
past Judges yacht Thorn. O1 the brcakwater they
got or well together, the Ethel, Commodore
Churchill leading, while Vice Commodore Smiths
yacht Ray. an Old New York favo.lte. brought up
the rear. The course was triangular, leading out
Whitehead passage rounding half way Rock Light,
to Bulwarks ledge and In snip channel to line
OF breakwater-nearly all open ocean sailing. The
wind was light. from west-nortnwesr at starting,
and the yachts, with their port tacks aboard forged
out the passage into rough water and more wind.
Before the light was reached Neptune and Boreas
conspired together and compelled the smaller yachts
TO take In light sails. Positions were changed as the
qualities OF the craft were tested. The Ethel held
the lead and was FIRST by iour minutes from BulwarE
ledge The Alarm was next around the rock. fol-
lowed by the Ray In five minutes. The Ethel soon
sent down gar topsais, staysails and Jib tOpsas,
and tho Raw and Alarm lost tOpmasts, with tOpsails.
The Ray also carried away jiD topsail stay and
the Kate parted jib halyards. On this stretch all
light sails disappeared
THE WIND PIpED GALE.
The Ledge reached. dead beat followed In the
teeth OF snort northwest gale. Up TO this time the
VISION OF those on the club steamer. There the
weatheriy qualities Of the craft We're put to the test
es as e KAN aa a. s s
hauled. and ut che Ledge was about the same DIS.
tance benin the Ethel as at the Rock. These two
wcre seen all within two miles OF each other be.
tween the Rock and the Ledge. Prom that point It
looked scary ror tnc smaller craft IL was nne sgt
Ola Ocean III q fury and the trim craft sporting on
lts blue and white bosom,
THE BhAT HONE
was BY an air line from the Ledge to the stakeboat
ab0nt ten miles. in the teeth OF stin norwesfer;
bnd the yacasmen were sure ae wna is nUds
they would have other than q lively DASH SO u
proved. Flecked all along this distance we VIII
single out the TWO largest, the Ethel anu ray Tue
former had big lead ana carried her whole fore
sndait sails With q big bone in her teeth. the Ray
great over this trial. Both vessels had about all
they wanted TO do, and the steamer keeping
soagn or course Keeping Straight course For
wnile It would seem ,hat neither gained
before the ship channel was entered the Ray, amid
cheers from hundreds OF spectators on yachts,
steamers and Cape Elizabeth, Left her wake
shorter picnes then about TO follow made rapid
FIRST by several minutes. The small craft had very
wet time but all got home SAFE. Time allowances
were made and the
CLUB PRIZEs WERE AWARDED
as follows:-Firsl schooner prize. silver cup, 70
class class the Ray had the f.st SILVER cup and the SPY
the second.
All in all 1t is the best race the club have made
and interest the fraternity In parts not
ecipsed in New England, and Ger anly no regatta
has been carried Out under more favorable circun-
stances. r.
In the evening the members Of the club had O
banquet at the islaud House, which was attended
NV nd N ~ n p,rfta md nam
cOursed syec!y. Later u mop Was enjoyed by The
gallant tars all their guests.