The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-06
Yachting On and or soundings.

Yachting On and on soundings.
Now that the halfway house of the winter
solstice is passed and the sun turned for its
upward climb in the heavens it seems
fitting time to cast glance at the past yacht
ing season, coupled with reference to the
one to come.
There certainly was not much promise in
the early months of the year. Hard times
| are not conducive to yacht building, and
hard times had laid heavy hand upon the
community.
So shipbuilders yards were idle, and,
instead of keels being laid here and frames
set up there, as has been the history of past
seasons, the whole yacht building art was
| directed to the construction of one single
vessel the Mohawk Naturally the chief
interest of the yachting fraternity was con-
centrated upon the new boat not only
because she was the largest of her class ever
built in this country, but because she was to
be the embodiment of principles novel in
the science of naval architecture. Yacht
critics were widely divided in their views,
but unanimous in their determination to fly
|
devoted Yachtsman" must have contrib
uted quarto volume at least in the shape of
letters to Dear Spirit. Setting himself up as
the only capable critic on this side the water.
devoted Yachtsman" pitched into the Mo-
hawk before her model was fairly thought out.
She was rank heresy even in theory-a
! failure in conception that was to be q mon
strosity at birth. AS she grew into shape
the expression of his disgust increased in
virulence, as it did in verbosity
Stripped of verbiage his opinion was about
as follows:-She would upset; she would not
upset. she would carry her sail; she would
not carry her SAIL she would tear herself to
| pieces if driven; she couldn't be driven, for
she was too heavily timbered to sail at all
| Off the wind with sheets lifted, was to be
| her best point but close hauled in seaway
there was nothing left but to stand still and
bang herself to bits.
| Of course our critic with the Janus-hke
countenance, being able to see both ways at
the same time, could scarcely fail to get
correct view of his subject ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
How often he succeeded the many yachtsmen
! DIETER informed, but perhaps not SO de
voted, ~ who have struggled through his
| letters, might have an opinion to give.
We regret to learn from his recent valedic-
tory to Dear Spirit (the fourth or fifth Of
a similar nature) that Devoted Yachts
man" has finally withdrawn from that lit
erary and critical sphere which he so much
adorned. We trust that this resolution is
not irrevocable, and that we may still be
permitted to sit at his feet, drinking in the
words of nautical wisdom which drop from
his lips, and awaiting in appreh ~ ion the
fatal valedictory numbered six"
Should, however, the withdrawal Of ''De-
voted Yachtsman" by any chance be due to
feeling that "Dear Spirit" is less com pla-
Gently inclined than heretofore. we will
venture to promise that he shall have hear
ing, even though the composition and proof
reader of these columns rise up in protest at
the act.
The last yachting season, though not re-
markable for any very brilliant episodes,
was, if judged by the cruises of the New
York and Brooklyn yacht clubs and the
ocean races later on, a very decided success.
Once away from the battling winds and
calms that infest the course of the Lower Bay
and adjacent waters and fairly aAoat on the
broad sweep of Narragansett Bay, the yachts
man finds both the sea and the breeze which
he covets. 1t is for this reason that Newport
will always be the ne plus ultra of yachting
towns. sheltered harbor, good anchorage,
| NIT for nd ba
open sea at your elbow, il would be difficult
to find its peer 1t is, then, with excellent
judgment that the waters in the vicinity Of
Newport have been chosen as the most suita-
BILE place for trials of speed. New York har-
Dor and bay are all very well for an annual
regatta, which is rather gala day than a
race day, but for real contest. of boat
against boat when business is meant and
the best one is to win, there is nothing COM
parable to the waters which lie between Gay
Head and Point judith
An appreciation of this fact has led to
the selection of this locality for the
more important regattas and match
races, and last summer was particularly
noticeable for the number of the same The
squadron on its return to New York did
not fade away into winter quarters, as has
been the history of previous years, but new
life and vigor were impaired to the closing
weeks of the season by a regatta for cups
presented by Rear Commodore Kane, and a
brilliant series of ocean matches, the recent
occurrence Of which renders further descrip-
ton unnecessary.
The prospects for 1876 are still uncertain,
but strong hopes are entertained that the
Centennial will give an impetus to yachting,
as it is expected to do to the general indus
tries of the country. Enough is known to
warrant reinstatement that great regatta or
series of regattas will take place in June IN