The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-13
DRIFTING IN JUNE.
TIE Sixteenth Annual and Sixth Union Re-
( gaiia Of the Brooklyn Yacht Club.
FLOATING OUT TO SEA.
The Madeleine, Vision. Undine, Sophia,
J. #. Seagraye, w. L. Lee and
Brooklyn the Winners.
SCENES ON THE BAY.

Yesterday the Brooklyn Yacht Club celebrated
the sixteenth year OF It's existence by regatta
that bid fair at the outset to eliminate in grand
success, but which was deprived OF its zest by a
lack OF wind ere the course had been sailed half
way over The day was fine; scarce cloud
hung between the sky and ocean, ana q
fresh northerly breeze ripped the surface of the
bay and promised a plenitude OF sport to those
aquatically inclined. The steamer Twilight. bear
ing upon it's decks a host of merry, bright-eyed
ladies' guests OF the Club, left Martins dock at the
appointed hour while the william fetch
er, frcighted with the judges and "the
fourth estate" steamed down into GowaDus
Bay, so that the stewards OF the race could order
the competing vessels into their several positions.
As the pretty yachts drew mp into line, waiting for
the signal gun which would start them on their
watery way, the Bay presented q most lively
and anmating appearance. Here and there.
hitting to and fro like stately swans as
they gided with white wings widespread
over the flashing surface OF the azure sea. were a
number Of pleasure craft. trim, dainty yachts and
jaunty steamers whose owners evidently preferred
jollity to racing. In the bright and MASKING noon
tide the lovely slopes OF Bay Ridge cleaned
like the shores OF a fairy isle, while
sunny Staten Island" stood out in the
distance beautiful as a picture OF paradise.
Ere the gun to prepare was fired from the
Judges boat several excursion steamers deep
laden with pleasure seekers, came down the Bay.
Then the pretty little Mischief with her taut masts
and saucy sails; the Pastime, most comfortable OF
steam yachts; the Golden Gate Magenta and num-
Der of others appeared upon the scene, while
the "brassy' band aboard the commit
tees boat dscoursed discordant music
for the benefit OF the happy SWANS and
their "Dulcinas' who thronged the decks. Vivid
was the excitement when the starting gun was fred
and the beautiful schooners and sloops hoisted
their white sails to the amorous wind; great was
the lamentatlon when the tickle EOlus died out and
the speed of the clippers slackened until shortly
after they passed Fort Wadsworth. where they lay
becalmed,
As idle painted ship
Upon painted sea.
The vessels were going out on the last OF the ebb
tide and they literally drifted up to the Southwest
Spit. Then southerly breeze sprang up, and
those vessels which had been fortunate enough to
pass the buoy bore up for the Lightshp in sapping
style. good race was then expected, but the
breeze proved tickle, and in consequence
the race again became a drifting one.
Two sloors managed to get around the
Lghtship. The Magic gave up the race, disgusted
the Fleur de Lis passed out OF the contest ana
only the Madeleine had SUFFICIENT persstency to
continue her languid course. Up TO five O'Clock
the race was very effete AFFAIR." 1t was not to the
swift. but rather to the lucky. Those who caught
the "catspaws" came in the winner. while smarter
craft with lesser drifting capabilities were literally
nowhere
The finish was late IN the evening, but perhaps it
WAS all the more beautiful Tor that. The I'M
conded SKY was spangled with scintillating stars
and from the sombre heights or Staten Island there
snone myriad Of yellow lights which found re-
nection IN the gllstenng waves. Then, swooping
down Ike mighty seabird, came the Commo-
dore's clipper, Madeleine. her sails swelling be-
fore the cool night breeze and her sharp
Prov clearing the phosphorescent water
until the wavelets sparked and foamed before
her. AS soon as the schooner had reached the
goal the committee boats steamed back to their
respective PIERS the ladies well satisfied with the
pleasant experience OF a trip down the bay. the
race. despite the lack OF wind, having been made
within the required regulation time.
The Race.
Yesterday morning. when the judges, Regatta
Committee and members Of the press arrived on
board the Judges steamer, W. Fletcher, there was
pleasant working topsa breeze from the north
for the prophecies Of some of the weatherwise,
before half-past eleven there was barely
Fecner left MnteSa keep sas e ne
steamed down to Gowanus, where the yachts were
all lying, with mainsails stretched awaiting the
starting time. AS 1t afterwards turned out, it
would have been much better arrangement II
the start had been down on their line, the early
ones would not then have been obliged TO dilly-
daily all through the morning waiting for the rest
to get into line.
looked very lively, covered with excursion steam
ers, gayy dressed with bunting, dancing about
over the water and interminging with the schooner
Columbia and ldler, which. although not compet-
ing In the regatta had come out with tine inten-
ton OF sailing over the course
THE REGATTA COMMITTEE.
Messrs. II. Baragwanath, John NJ. sawyer, ]. Var
mum Mott M. d.. James $. Dean and NJ. T. David
son, issued the following orders to govern the sail
ing OF the race-
age of Bay Ridge to s,akeboat Southwest Spit passing
rounding rom norhward to eastward and return s To-
home sake6oss which will be OF Bay Ridge
sonthwsst Spit passing from the westward 2 south
eastward the homs ,aRsboai H '0un~'fa TO
anS% "m Ees to
ward to southwark thence to home siakeboat. = =
The allowance Of time for schooners and first class
yssh, water line The allowance q time for
length only one hall over6ang included in measurement
First Gun-To prepare to start.
Third Gun-For second class sloops to start
Fourth Gun-Eor third class sloops-open boats-to
Gun to be fired from Judges steamer william Fletcher
THE JUDGES
Messrs. d. =. Hines B. T.. Mallory, Cornelius Ben
nett ana g. 9. Cunning, were on board the
Fletcher, and after couple Of hours had been
line prepara,ory gun S was s'S Sped 20 ser N
A. NJ There was then pleasant northerly
breeze and the tide was running ebb. The
schooners and first class sloops were started 10y
second gun at III :16 the second class sloOps at
IL rs and the third class sloops IL: 10. The fol-
lowing yachts started in the race:
scHooNERs.
AHo,s-
oynr
Madeleine. Gem. J. yoorhs III. Co.,. q 40
Magic Rufus latch YC 1924
Flcur dc Lis j. =. Dickcrson. YC, gd7
Meta g. A. Beiing ....... .Y.C. 90
Commodo ore. - Elsw ...........B Y ... rs
Vision. .......J J. Alexandra. ~
Adde. ..........W H. Langley....... Y.C.... 5T
Kate. r. Dillon: YC.. 49,. aS
undine .... Brasher dFowis<....B '. C........ 9l7
Ariadne. T. A. Strange. a,
West Wind w. Iselin. "a
4 As,eu Allan A Pratt r v q ia IA