New-York tribune., 1896-06-21
THE GROWTH OF YACHTING.
INCREASED INTEREST IN SAILING AND IN
FOLLOWING THE CONTESTS.
IMPROVED DESIGNS. AMERICAN VICTORIES AND
THE ADVANTAGES OFFERED BY THE
CLUBS ACCOUNT FOR 1T.


The continued advance in yacht building the prog
ress made in the United States IN the direction OF
developing the modern water racing machine ana
the inability Of the English yacht builders TO create
a boat with which capture the coveted America
Cup are some OF the causes for the interest IN
yachting in New-York. This interest has been on
the Increase for years. Men who were utter stran-
gers to water sports became interested from patri-
otto motives: the space given to yachting news by
the daily papers helped to educate them In the mys-
teres OF the sport; they sought circles ~here the
ways OF the water flyers could be discussed ana
where information the subject could be gained.
and presently they posted for membership In
one of the many yacht clubs which the growing IN
terest in tie sport has called into existence.
This class forms certain part OF the member
ship OF all yacht clubs. They own no yachts; they
would not know what 10 do with one II they dld,
and as to knowledge the subject. they coud
possibly differentiate between centreboard and
spnnaker but 1t would be n severe tax on their
nautical knowledge. But these members soon be-
come educated and in a or two they talk
knowingly about yachting and look upon the new
conner into yachting circles with pity and il-con-
cealed disgust while they help him through the In
tricate mazes OF salt-sea study 20 the knowledge
which adds to the pleasures OF yachting
The yacht owning class Of the yacht clubs has also
Increased steadily for years. Steam yachts costing
fortunes 10 build and great sums OF money TO main
tain are being added 10 the yacht club fleets every
season These palaal vessels carry the club colors
to all parts OF the world. and many Of the owners
have become expert navigators. and by their em-
cheney as practical commanders have demonstrated
the fact that yacht clubs make sailors
The fleet OF large schooners and sloops Is also
growing nd hp-buiiders have orders every season
for Something a l.ttle faster little better and
little more up to date" This anxiety 10 have the
best boat In the club. and then each clubs efforts
to have the fastest and the best boat IN the various
classes ard the great amount OF money expended
annually for prizes ard decorations by clubs ana IN
dviluals have created a healthy rivalry ana nave
stimulated the yachting spirit TO such an extent that
II has often dwarfed the interest in other sports.
| In the yacht clubs where there are no steam
| yachts and no great ocean going sailing craft,
| clubs composed OF owners OF little boats. In which
every owner is his own sailing master ard In some
| Instances his crew-in some os these clubs can
! be found many frst-class sailors The growing
| popularity OF the half-rater was looked upon by
! yachtsmen a step forward IN American yacht
ing 1t is the field where the yachtsman becomes
! thoroughly familiar with the sport and In which
he may learn in season than he could
/ learn In a lifetime yacht with big crew
| The New York Yacht Club. which has a great
feet OF and sailing craft. IA probably the best
known OF the yacht clubs IN and near the metropo-
lis II has stations at many points along the coast.
but has no clubhouse on the water front Its home
is at No. 67 Madson-ave.. in house That bears no
outward signs Of being the congregatng point OF the
who the custodians of the race for the
Americas trophy. 1t Is clubhouse IN all that the
term implies and the members Of the club use 1t as
during the winter when boats are laid up and
plans are being made for sports and new
laurcis on an upper floor Of the clubhouse Is the
famous model room IN which the modes or all the
cup defenders ana cup honor aspirants are kept ana
where tho celebrated case Of Dunraven against the
Defender syndicate was heard before the clubs In
vcstigating committee. In this room the New YORK
Yacht club by unanimous vote. branded Dun
ravens charges false and without foundation. and
then ordered his name expunged from It's list Of
honorary members.
Some Of the members are satisfied with the pleas
ures O. the clubhouse. but most OF them look for
ward from year to year TO the races. regattas and
the cruises Of the club and the to Newport.
the sports and social functions there. are the
magnets which attract many men 70 the New
York Yacht Club The annual cruise. when the
great family OF water seeis put their best bibs
and fuckers is the season OF races. illumnations.
| dainty dinners and exchange OF courtesies. 1t s
tho function from which few yachtsmen will allow
business or rival pleasures 70 keep them-lt IS the
time when the yacht club offers yachting sport.
The Atlantic Yacht club has no city house. Its
home is by the The clubhouse, provided with
all necessary club features Is at Bay Ridge. where
members can be provided with rooms for the sea-
son Many OF the members whose families leave
town FOR the summer make the clubhouse at Bay
Ridge their summer home. They can leave their
business downtown az the regular hour and can
reach the clubhouse after pleasant water trip In
one hour. IN time for dinner. The club has cat
boat which may be chartered for a nominal price.
but Il is rarely IN use because there usually a
number OF boats there belonging to members. and
the boatless member who wishes TO sail always has
several invitations TO choose from Beside the club
house attractions the Atlantic Yacht Club takes
high rank for It's racing sports and its prizes for
this season amount to mary thousands OF dol.ars
I'm value. Like its sister club. tie New-York Yacht
Club the Atlantic Clubs races. resattAs ard cruises
the annual features.
The Seawanhaka Corn THAN Yacht Club has q
city clubroom at Madison-ave and Twenty seventh
st. which IS small and unpreientious. but II hiss a
clubhouse the Sound OF which Il may we'll be
proud. II is situated at Oyster Bay. l.. l., and
during the It is one OF the most popular re-
sorts in the vicinity o, NewYork The house has
great broad vcrandas airy dining rooms. billiard
parors. library and all the accessories OF first
class club and IN Its upper floors overlooking the
water are number OF well-furnishei rooms whcn
are occupied during the yachting season by MEM
bers who leave the city in the evening and sperd
the early evening hours on boat su the s cub sa S
the hospitable place by men and women who nave
country entertainment, is furnished in setting OF
Metropolitan ELEGANCE There is picture OF the
MadlsOn-aye rooms which was taken AT the height
OF the season. Il shows the lower balconies swarm
galleries crowded with people looking out upon the
And is that a yacht club" asked man who
was looking at tho picture and admiring the hand
country house why. there are more women
there than men.
II the sume person could the Larchmont
Yacht Club house at I-archmont on some evening
In the season he would ind further cause for sur
prise The beautiful structure. fitted with every
convenience and provided with everything which
could conduce the comfort and the amusement
OF its owners s tAe place where hundreds OF lunch
con and dinner parties take place In the course
OF the reason. The members who have yachts at
the clubhouse docks entertain their friends on the
water. and those whose taste run TO land sports
can find amp.e means for entertainment on the
large. we-appointed grounds. with their tennis
courts ball. polo ard croquet grounds. and in the
roomy clubhouse.
At New Rochelle, where the Defender lies at rest
after her victory Is another fine yacht clubhous,
with ornamental grounds and good water front and
fine view upon the ever-changsng panorama OF
the Sound. The Westchester yacht club houses
/ L..r.r tho Al u.hAn tha