Morning journal and courier., 1886-02-16

Yacht R acers.

TO the Edltof or the JOURNAL AND COURIER: At the present time salt water folk are in fever of interested expectancy that is both exceptional and unusual This excitement is in considerable measure shared by those who, during the past summer, have learned with Genesta and Puritan to enjoy the noble sport of yacht racing for cups and honors. This class and category includes about all of
 us. The cause of this commotion is the fact now generally known, that new racing yachts or acht-racers-embodying the sea- knowledge and different opinions about the origin and secrets of speed beld by various skillful shipbuilders and experienced cap tains-at this actual moment and in hot haste arc being tangibly shaped and made ready for trial. Early spring will bring to the front these marine athletes eag- CT for the contest and longing to throw aside all thoughts of concealment and to give full play to their slippery heels. In view of what promises, and with some inkling of what is coming, it is not altogether easy to wait for the happy moment to catch the first hungry look at these latest born sea beauties, outcome of experience, Yankee in genuity and uneounted money. The craft
 
 to astonish as we'll as gratify us all Com peting yachts when opposed by this careful Iy-selected- new -wonder-champion have our sympathy if they feel like the coon with the unerring rifle pointed at him, who called out ''Don't shoot, I'll come down"
 While our English cousins continue to challenge us with cutters, and so long as the Puritan holds together, we need have no anxiety about the Queens cup. Neither need we notice certain comments of the Brit ish press which insists that, whatever cutter is selected from this fleet to race in our waters and contend for the 'fcup," is ''by TO means representative British yacht" or is not 'peerless among British craft" The same was said last year about the Genesta and yet not a cut ter of them all had better record, as proved by the published official list. It is to their credit that Englishmen die hard and that it goes against the grain to own up beaten. J. Beavor Webb, designer of Genesta and their most celebrated builder of cutters. is convinced of the fact and freely ad- mits that the British cutter cannot sail as fast as the American Puritan sloop, and this opinion they will be obliged, sooner or later, to share with him and with us. It does not demand especial prophetic inspiration to foretell what they all must believe at the close of the coming yachting season.
 The London Field of 23 January writes "Galatea will most likely figure in the early races before she crosses the Atlantic to make her submission to American skill and prov ess." The somewhat worn subject of British vii hn present, while we gladly turn to the fresher topic and more interesting question of the rival American flying racers.
 The coming struggle for the honor of being selected as national standard bearer in the with Galatea has unmistakable sectional flavor. Local, if generous and friendly, rivalry increases the heat of strife. New York and Brooklyn feel conscious that a brilliant New I York-bay born craft is need ed to stem and turn the tide of success that consistently would set to the east ward last season, with the champion sloop Puritan and the fast schooner Fortuna. Boston may become entirely too bumptious without balancing check from Brooklyn, deter mined setback from the neighbor hood of Sandy Hook. This feeling gathers force from the knowledge that Puritan's daughter is expected this season as debu- tante. Her first dash into view will starr ripple that must swell into wave of no trifing sensation. Chaperoned by the Mater Puritan Victrix-whose resistless shape and winning ways last summer excited the nation to enthusiasm, bewitched the yachting world and carried all before her, except perhaps Genesta and her peope-the young Genius'of Speed must glide as by right into inherited rank and position. Courtiers will not be long in declaring themselves nor will they be few. It is ap parently her fate to become the nations pet the very darling of the public.
 The Atlantic club, of Brooklyn, at the close of a recent annual dinner decided to build representative competitor for the honor of defending the "eup" against Gala tea. The name "Atlantic" was chosen and the needed funds subscribed ut once and on the spot To Philip Ellsworth was given the responsible and delicate task of designing her lines and shape and Captain "Joe' Ellsworth, the veteran yacht racing master and pilot of the Puritan in her historical races is en- gagged as captain to sail her Strong quail ties, with talent, skill and money, are here again happily united, but trying with com bfnation key of different pattern tounloc the secret of the greatest possible speed under sail. Whichever yacht wins, the world will be the gainer It is evident that these costly yaeht-building ex- periments are of serious importance; that these interesting trials of speed are by no means of trifing value, nor should they be considered merely simply sport or fun. A new yacht called the "Adelaide" has just been finished in Boston. This craft, among other novelties, has some supposed admira- ble improvement in centreboard arrange inent from which great things are expected. Still another fast open boat is being built at Staten Island with especial novelties in sail and centreboard And so the wave of prog ress in marine matters rolls on and oil. It is by no means probable that this last mention ed boat ends the list of agreeable surprises that now preparing for those who enjoy salt water. Let us be thankful chat we have one noble, eminently health giving and ele- vating sport free from anything necessarily bad, and desirable from every point of view to those whose means allow the needful con siderable expense F. w. F.