The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-22
The Richmond Cruisers.

OFF CoBB's ISLAND, Aug. IS, 1879.
Our anchorage at Cobb's Island has proved
to be one OF the most enjoyable features Of
the cruise OF the Richmond Yacht Club.
l have already in previous letter had some
thing to say OF the fine sport we have had
here, both in hunting and fishing, and our
table has been kept well supplied with game
and game fish during our stay in these Wa
tiers. Cobb's Island is not much OF sum-
mer resort for visitors, should think, tudg-
ing from the number OF persons now there;
but it could be made glorious place. .Ihe
beach is fine one, and is said to be lar
ahead OF Coney Island. OF one thing, how
ever, it can certainly boast-hne hsnlng.
THE fact is, we now find it difficult matter
to get out OF our clothing on account OF the
fish-bones coming out, and when we get
home il will no doubt be far worse!
4 BEAUTIFUL YACHT RACE.
The most interesting feature OF our cruise
took place on Saturday in race between
our pungy-yacht and the schooner Harry
Doremus, Captain Henry Cornell, OF New
York. One OF the Cobb brothers had been
bantering our captain for several days for
q tilt between his vessel and the Doremus,
which is commanded by Cobb's brother-in-
law. Mr.. Cobb proposed champagne and
handsome supper for all on board and on
the island il the vessel he championed did
not win the race. He insisted that it should
be taken. We were Indifferent, but salts
fed OF the result. Finally it was agreed
that the race should come of, and number
OF gentlemen on the island and on board
our schooner made up purse OF twenty
dollars and agreed to present IL to the cap
tain Of the successful craft.
THE CoURSE-THE START.
The arrangements were completed about
10 O'Clock, or perhaps a little sooner; the
course to be from the inside buoy at
Cobb's to the buoy at Hog Island, in the
ocean-a distance OF seven miles and re-
turn. There was steady breeze blowing
at the time from the south-a fair wind
out, DuJ Un tho return ahoad, and 90 ro
had to beat back. 1t was agreed that the
vessel passing the buoy at the starting
point first should fire her gun, tokening the
time; the schooner following to do the
same, and the difference in the time to be
In getting the deck clear Of movables,
which were carefully stored below. The
ice. e.chests, galeys, &C., were securely lash
ed. for the roar OF the breakers gave US
warning that there would be a heavy sea.
A few moments before II O'Clock we
broke anchor, and, under iib and mainsall,
cruised about the channel IN the harbor un-
til the Doremus was ready. We had not
long 10 wait. We started out under very
unfavorable circumstances. The first mate,
being disabled from sickness, could do but
little, and one OF the crew was new hand.
However, off we dashed; but, unfortunate
", as we passed abreast Of the buoy our
siynal-gun failed to 20 of, on account OF
the wet weather. 4 shotgun was then
brought on deck, aud that failed; so the
captain turned about, determined TO come
| alongside the Doremus and start together.
THE RACE.
We had come about, and the schooner
was rapidly nearing the starting point OF
The opposition vessel, when she passed the
buoy and fired her gun. 1t was then too
late to make her understand what had ne.
cessitated change in our programme, and
we knew that the time would be counted
from the moment she fired. We rounded
again, getting full Roadway Just before the
Doremus came up. She ran up her three
ibis. her staysail, ioresail, gaff-topsails, and
flying topsails, and fairly danced over the
white caps. She carried eight sails, pro
badly six hundred yards more canvas thar
we had in our mainsai, foresail, iib, stay
sail, and gaff.topsail-tiye in all. 1t was
beautiful sight. We soon glided off to th'
windward OF her, however, and put out t.
sea, while she, drawing only about four fee
of water, kept close In shore in smoothe
water. 1t did not take an expert to SCI
what would be the result. From the star
it was evident that the Richmonders woult
be successful. Sailing before the wind
however, the New York schooner kept clos
upon our heels, at times almost alongsld
of as; but on the return, after. we rounded
Hog Island buoy, we gained on her at ever.
tack, sailing to the windWard OF her, ant
soon we were more than mile ahead, com
| ing home about two miles in the lead.
THE TIME-PERsONAL.
The sctual distance we sailed was egh
| teen mikes, but the distance from buoy {
30 buoy is only about fourteen miles. w
set off at IL A. NJ, rounded Hog ISlan'
buoy at 1915, and passed the home-buoy
before getting into Our harbor at Cobb's
at I:37.P. H., and dropped anchor. at Ia
?. n. TiHe of race, two hours and forty
five minutes. Besides our own Club, WI
had on board General Carroll a retiret
officer OF the United States army, and DR.. T
o. HILLS, of Washington, D. G.. On tn
schooner Harry Doremus, besides the crew
there we're Mr.. G. A. Rasch, vile, ana son
of Baltimore; DR.. Fl uls'S son, ii. Franz
Monroe, and N. S. Fall 5 Of Baltimore.
As soon as we rounded the home-buoy
our gun was fred, the Grub colsrs were rnI
up, and We were greeted .ith cheers anE
the waving OF hats and ha udkerehefs 1roh'
the ladies and gentlemen on; the, ,oeach:
/, The, race created consiL 'erabie intenes'
and excitement on the isl and, hss been
common talk ever since, and convinced al
who saw 1t that the Minniyia: Miles anc
Captain Nelson cannot be beaten by any
ordinary craft. In the evening, late, we al!
went ashore, and DR.. Hills prese' gted Cap:
tain Nelson with the handsome. v'earned
purse. ii j., 4;.sz. az, sr. . 4. r r
A sALUTATION FROM THE BEACH.
The day ended with pleasant and inter-
esting little episode. IT. had been ARA nged
between the officers of some OF the New
York ships and our commodore that cer-
tain signals should be exchanged IL we met
10 ses atnfght during our cruise. Saturday
tight was The, second night during our TIP