The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-17

THE REGATTA AT BHEOxE.
A Chapter of Accidents ana a Gallant
Aquatic Contest.

A Chapter of Accidents and a Gallant
Aquatic Contest.
| Biloxi yesterday put on her gala garb over the
| regatta given by the amateur yachtmen Of tho
lake coast for handsome prize offered by Me-.
Montross, of the Montross House. Early in tha
morning signs of unusual animation we're notices-
| BILE in that delightful seaside resort, and in
cipient sailors launched their small boats before
their veteran friends were astr. BY the tirne of
the arrival Of the excursion train from New Or.
leans there was plentiful display of bunting OH
the front boulevard, and anxious shippers cast an
eye TO windward at the gathering Of an array of
ominous clouds.
At noon the ladies began to dare the brisIs
southeast wind, and every bath-house wharf was
crowed with Biloxi's beauty. Loustrous black
| eyes dazzled the average excursionist as they
shone out from beneath seaside hats, whilst the
| softer blue gave to the yachtmen sp additional
incentive to their exertions for the victory, The
race YVES between boats OF twenty feet aud un-
der, to be sailed under the rules Of the Crescent
City Yacht Club. and the judges selected wsra
Admiral j. E. Austin, perhaps better known ~
| Major Austin; Mr.. Richard Charles, and Col. h
| W. James. The following were the entries:
Boat Olivia. entered by u. l.. Israel, ssiled by
Louis Holly; length II II. 0 in.
| Boat Frolic, entered by Martin Hresn aailed
by Martin Green; length IL ~. 6 in.
| Boat Nellie, entered by John Syznoor, sailed
| by John Symoor; length 10 II. 6 in.
| Boat Carrie Bower. entered By 4. Galshaws
| sailed by A. Calshaw length II fl. IL id.
| Boat Mary A., entered by Leonard Fsyorde
sailed by Leonard Fsyord; length II ii. s in.
| At 1890 O'Clock the whte-NiHgsd racers pat
in an appearance with their crews on board, aad
not few sand bags for ballast az the wind wss
every moment increasing. After so1ne manet~
vering they took their proper positions and esHae
to anchor and lowered jibs.
| The course Of the race was twice around three
stake boats, about two and one-haR miles apart
triangularly, one to the west off shore the ofhsr
| to the eastward, and the home flag ship. which.
| by the way, did not have flag.
After choosing for positions they came into
| line, the Frolic beng wlndward, the Nellie next
the Olivia next, Mary A. inside, with the Carrie
Bower to the leeward. II was evident that there
would be handling Of reef points for white caps
began to display themselves outside beyond the
| bar.
| AFTER the second gun had fred as warning,
Msjor Austin called out if ali were ready, aud
meeting with an affirmative reply, after some de-
lay ON the part OF the chief Of artillery, the deep
| boom OF an eight FOUNDER resounded across the
wind tossed waters, and with remarkable alacfity
| jibs were holsted and anchors sprung, and the
| fleet OF FIVE were off in splendid STYLE The
Carrie Bowers, however, WAS the most artisticelly
handled, and before the echoes Of the gun hsG
died away she was off with handsome ie&ss
| steering westwardly for the boat marking the fu4
| side edge OF the bar, and thence TO the frat
stake boat. The Nellie was the next to follow.
but little difference beng between her, the 0liyix
and the rest OF the fleet.
| With sheets well qusrtered the coursers passed
the bar boat and headed out for the first stake,
when all trimmed sheets aft. The lead Of the
Carrie was good one and she held her own to
the stake, but matters did not go so well with all
her followers. On the first dash the Frolic broke
her bowsprit, her jib going by the board, and she
| retreated from the contest shortly afterwards-
The Nellie whilst leading went
ALL TO PIECES,
her centerboard being taken out of It's case, her
jtb blown adrift, and her stay broken. After
| heading for the second stake the ehopping sea
outside began TO show it's effects, and the smsn
craft began bobbing about much to the admra-
ton of the spectators. 1t was just then that the
Mary A. capsized, going over in the most grace
ful manner.
Mr. SamI Gauthier's yacht was at hand and
| towed the sunken craft in towards the bar where
her crew, after much labor, righted and bailed
her out.
On the second only two contestants, the Carrie
and the Olivia, the Carrie leading, started out for
the first stake, and notwithstanding the gallant
efforts OF the Oivia's crew, who sent up their
balloon jib, the Carrie increased her lead and
landed winner at 3.2i-50 p. nn., the Olivia being
just 9:35 minutes behind. At the close OF the
hardly fought battle Msjor Austin, in q nest
speech, presented the prize to Mr.. Hollingswortb.
the owner OF the winning boat, who responded La
an appropriate manner.
There was to follow q skif race, bnt some Of
the entries failed to secure crews, and it waR
consequently postponed.
There has seldom been a more desperately
fought battle on our waters.