The sun., 1895-05-18

Mr.. walkers Boat Crosses the Line Ahead.
ana Leads Half Way Over tho Course
Finishes.with Her Topmast Down, g Min
utcs and 4e Seconds Astern or the Prince
OF wnies'p Yncht-Tho Forty.rntcrs
Isolde and Cnress Also Start In the Rnce.
LONDON, May 17.-Great interest was evinced
to-day in what 10 practically the opening OF the
yachting season. Tho many special trains run
ming to Gravesond were crowded with those
who wero anxious to witness tho performance
of the Aisn.
Tho weather was cold and raw, but tho sud-
den drop from the recent spell of extreme heat
prevented only n few from carrying out their
Intention OF witnessing the opening day OF the
New Thames Yacht Club regatta. Most OF them
went by train. however, TO avoid the dlscom-
forts Of n trip by water and there were only II
few dozen boats, steamers, launches &c, IN tho
lower river, whero ordinarily there arc hun
dreds. good many forty and twenty raters
and steamers followed tho racers over the entire
course. The tide was about at tho end OF the
cbb, and the boats were handled splenddB.
The starters over the old course from the
Lower Hope around the Mouse Lightship and
back to Gravescnd. were the Britannia, rated at
o. tons. and tho Alsa, rated at l6S tons, the
Ailsa allowing the Britannia minutes and IL
seconds. Tho Isolde and Caress, forty-raters,
also started. the Ailsa allowing them 80 minutes
and 15 seconds. The prizes in this race were
$50 to the first. f25 to the second. and flo to
The Ailsa and Britannia crossed the line as
follows:
Alisa :as 90
1t was noticeable before the start that the
Ailsa appeared to be mannurrcd more skill
vantage in crossing. At the second gun the
A:lsa was near the line and crossed to tho wind
ward Of the britannia. keeping the lead. Both
short distance behind the principals in the start.
remarked that the two Fife boats kept together,
both getting better positions than tho Watson
boats.
Tho yachts had n fair wind after the start,
and kept OH the same tack to Mouse Lightship.
just before reaching the latter point the Aisa
housed her topmast. the breeze proving 100
strong for her. She still kept her lead, however.
The boats rounded the Mouse Lightship as fol-
lows:
Britannia. si:ss
On the beat back the britannia kept creeping
mp. and passed the Allsa at Chapman Light.
Thereafter she kept her lead. At Chapman
Light the Ailsa carried away her jib sheet, but
the accident did not affect her sailing. The time
at the finish was:
Britannia ...... ..3:41 80 Cnrcss ......4 az :o3
Aiisa 85o32 Isolde. 2a:02
The Britannia. therefore. won by 9 minutes
and ~ seconds actual time, and by minutes and
53 seconds with her time allowance added.
Neither OF the other boats saved their time al
lowance.
Near the close of the race it was noticed that
the Ailsa s topmast was down. apparently hav-
ing been broken. Every person who saw the
race agrees that the Ailsa did not do her best,
and nll are convi inced that the recent terations
made upon her have done her no good. ,Iudg-
ment is. therefore. suspended ms the boat was
not up to her recent form.
The consensus of opinion is that it was an ey-
Cclent race, and that il the Aisa could huvo
carried her topmast she probably would have
won.
The race for twenty y-ratcrs. first prize G2O, was
sailed over II course from Lower Hope around
the West Gaze Buoy and back to Grnvesend.
forty-ivo miles. The starters were Lord Dun
ravens Audrey. Prince Batthyany- -Strattman's
Stephanie, and +. b. Jameson's Luna.