Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-08-14
YACHTING In A GALE.


Races on La Belle Lake Sailed in Squat
" Weather, Several of the Boats Being
Dfsabled-1he Yalaha Captures the First
Prize Easily.
In gale of wind from the south, en-.
livened by numerous squalls of unusual
force the most exciting regatta even
witnessed on La Belle lake occurred on
Saturday, August 2. The triangular
course is ten miles in length and the
time made by Walter L. Peck's Yalaha,
1888, is the fastest on record here. At
ten o'clock all the yachts were ready,
some of them close reefed, but the wind
was then too unsafe to venture out. An
hour later it had steadied down some
what, and the cat boats were sent away,
the Gladys crossing the line first at
1O:55.56. The Undine, Ethel and Lady
Nav followed The wind blew straight
up the course, and as they sped before
it great strcaks of foam followed. The
sloops got away ten minutes later-The
Tarpon, first; Yalaha, second; Naiad,
third; Undine, fourth; Varda, last
The throng on shore was anxious and
excited, and many time as a gallant
craft careened over before puff of un-
usual severity, there were half-smoth-
cred screams. Glasses were kept in con-
slant use, and suddenly there was cry
that one of the boats had capsized. The
greatest excitement prevailed. Several
steamers were out at the furtherest end
of the course, and one could be seen
bearing down toward the disabled YES
sci. 1t was the Undine, Captain Gale
Thompson. She had not upset, but her
mast had broken a foot from the deck.
OF 70, TO
latter the Varda was discovered running
before the wind, evidently disabled.
Her cordage had not been able to stand
the strain. The jib halyards were gone
and she made her home port by the use
of the mainsail alone. Two of the best
and stanchest Crafts were thus put out
of the race and the grayest fears were
entertained for others.
At the turn at the end of the first course
disastrous collision between the Tarpon
and Yalaha was averted only by Com
modore Peck, he taking risk that
caused him to foul, losing time and all
place in the race. With promptness
and courtesy he reported his own error,
simply saying to the judges that he was
compelled to foul the Yalaha or run her
down and asking to be ruled out.
The most skillful seamanship ever
seen here was exhibited all through the
regatta and everybody was thankful
that the accidents were not more seri-
Gus. The Naiad showed wonderful quail
tiles for sloop and stood the gale. The
Gladys also exhibited great stanchness.
They were apparently the steadiest
boats out. Following is the record:
SLOOPS
IaIana-. ...... o. %
Tarpon (ruled ouD .............. 5S:51
The Yalaha was sailed by Walter L.
Peck; the Tarpon, by Commodore Ferd
w. Peck; the Naiad, by Clarence l
Peck; the Undine, by Fred t. Peck.
CAT-BOATS.
Gladys (E. Simr1ons) ................. :07:46H
Ethel Crnomas C. Miller) .1:03:H
Lady May (F'elix Morris)..- ........-.l :oS:a'ha
The prizes were: For sloops-The
annual prize pennant, marine glass,
presented by W. L. Peck, of Chicago.
gold compass, presented by the club.
For cat-rigged yachts-annual prize
pennant, presented by the club; prize
buoy, presented by the commodore; set
of life preservers, presented by the
club.
In the evening ball in honor of the
event was held at Draper Hall.