The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-01
Y A O Fl Il I NJ G..
THE SLO0PS MAUD AND W. F. DAVIDS.
Mr.. George W. DavidS Protests Against the
Decision Of the Judges.

During the past season several matches have
been sailed that resulted in a dispute and conse-
quently created considerable excitement in yacht
ing circles. Judges decisions are generally sup
posed to be final; but there should certainly be
some higher power to whom the disputants could
appeal case Of there being any reasonable and Just
grounds for protest. The match between the sloops
Bella and Meteor, sailed about month ago. caused
regular scandal in yachting circles,
but still the injured parties mad no
means Of redress by appeal, and consequently were
forced to take other means to obtain Justice. An
appeal to the courts is decidedly Objectionable to
all gentlemen OF sportsmanlike inclinations, but
IN some instances that Is the only left for
them to pursue.
The match between the Maud and W. f. Davids
was made to sail ten miles to windward
and return for $1,000 side. ON the day OF
the race, as 1t was impossible to obtain one
stretch OF ten miles to windward and return,
Mr.. Stephen Van Nostrand, the Judge for the
Maud, and Mr. J. M Sawyer. the Judge for the ".
sailed five miles before the wind and return and
repeat The yachts were started all right, and the
Davies TO the aa ans
rounding, ran into the port bow OF the stakeboat,
and the latter had to back down to prevent her
sinking. This accident was supposed to decide the
| race, as 1t was generally understood, the
DaUas had nothing more to do but to sail
| Maud finally came in first, as the
Davids having lost thirty of her sand bags, had be-
come nard to handle In the stir breeze. The Judges
after calling on the owners of the two yachts and
hearing their statement, that they were sailing
under no specified but under the general rules OF
yachting, decided that the Maud had won the
money, although they did not attempt TO dispute
the foul. When Mr.. Davids heard Of the decision
he Immediately made verbal protest,
and afterwards sent q written protest
to the judges, stakeholder and Mr.. MOTHS.
The money has already been paid over and as
MIR. Morris appears to decline all argument on the
question the matter will probably have to come up
| for arbitration. The third clause OF the protest
made by MIR. Davids reads, ''The boats, or yachts,
were to carry the live weight over the whole
| course One or two Of the crew OF the yacht Maud
| were on board the stakebOat while the yacht MAUD
was endeavoring to round it." The above ques-
| ton is open to argument, but there Is not the
| slightest doubt that one Of the crew OF the Maud
| jumped ON the stakebOat Fletcher at her port bow,
| and running the length of the steamer, boarded
| the Maud from the port quarter.
There appears to have been large sums OF money
pending on the result OF this race, amounting to
| twelve or fifteen Thousand dollars, and con-
sequently the losers feel very sore upon such de-
cision. Mr.. Davids is determined to carry the mat
| ter through, and have the whole case brought
| before the public
There are many important points in yachting
that are often the subject OF wrangling, ana IL
would be well for the prominent yacht clubs to ap
point judiciary committee, with power to decide
all appeals or protests.