The morning call., 1893-05-28

given a coat of black lead plumbago mixed
with stale beer. This is to make the bottom
perfectly smooth and 10 reduce Skin friction"
This job alone Will cost several hundred dollars.
Then its running rigging must be renewed to
avoid the danger of anything parting or carry
ing away and all the standing rigging must be
overhauled. Nearly always new light sails
must be provided. A racing crew must be
hired and trained at their stations, for in a race
many more men are required than on ordinary
occasions.
The skilled hemsman who is 10 handle the
yacht in the race must take week or two to
practice his crew, and 90 over the course TO
learn the pecuIiarities OF the yacht. All this
work and all these men cost money.
The owners of the large yachts very seldom
sail their own boats in race. Willie able, per-
haps, to sail about the bay, or direct operations
in a scrub race, il the honor of his boat is at
stake, he prefers TO have professional helms
man. And this professional helmsman does
not. as general thing, like to have the owner
aboard in race. Accordingly the owner usu-
ally views the contest from tugboat and tells
his friends how much better he could have done
ii had he remained on the yacht.
No man is ever satisfied with the way any
other man sails bis boat. The owner is usually
happy in the concelt that he knows best how to
get The most out OF his craft, so sailing another
mans yacht for him In race Is very thank
less task, especially If not a winner.
Perhaps the fastest "all-round" schooner
yacht we ever had here was the Nellie, built by
Captan Matthew Turner. She was doubtless his
masterpiece in centerboard craft as the pres
ent Jessie is of the keel type. In the days of
the Nellie when she was owned by Hyde
Bowie, and then by Mervyn Donabue, and
sailed by Frank Murphy, she :'carried the
broom" in San Francisco Bay. She has gone
down the south coast now, pretty we'll used up
from carrying sail hard and being pressed be-
yond her powers. Although built as center
board boat with light frame and inside ballast,
she was, to meet modern ideas. finally loaded
With lead outside her keel. She sailed better
with this. it is true, but 1t soon used her up,
and she was sold for nominal sum as having
been strained too much for further racing con-
tests
The Caispa. Con O'Connor and Fleur de Lis,
which were In her class, and the Acge. which
Nellie, hu; without avail. Commodore Quite of
he Chispa was sure tnat In a strong breeze his
favorite could win, and after several minor
contests In animal regattas a match was made
between The two fliers, Chispa and Nellie. In
which the latter won.
Inc yacht Caispa gained racing prize be-
lore she had name, for she was Just barely
ready 10 enter the annual regatta of the San
francisco Yacht Club In August, 1879. and
won the race. although she had not yet been
christened. She had another famous race on
June 8, 1890, with the Con O'Uonnor. coming
In thirteen and hall seconds ahead. bu; hay
ing to give time allowance was Officially beaten
by twenty-three seconds. This was the race
where the OConnor was said to have won the
money and The Chispa the race because while
the Chispa had beaten her competitor at eyery
Doiut she struck calm streak, while the O'Con-