Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-17

Der of big Atlantic coast club was a
guest on one of the South Coast boats
during the -the-island race last
Monday
The gentleman in question Is thor
ougly familiar with yachting conditions
as they prevail among local yachtsmen,
having participated in many of the
races and cruises during the past three
seasons.
Friends Of the sportsman say he Will
bring fast sloop to these waters next
year.
After considerable persuasion the
easterner consented to give an analysis
of the event on the condition that his
name be withheld.
$50 much has been said in the past
by certain yachtsmen and would-be
sailors In regard to the capabilities of
this or that boat or crew or skipper
that It is worth while to impartially
consider the results shown by the re-
cent yacht race of the South Coast
Yacht club around Catalina island,
said the eastern yachtsman.
Racing in the past has been confined
mainly to a short triangular course or
a matter Of twelve miles to leeward and
return, all within few miles of the
sheltering breakwater," he continued.
"The one or two more pretentious eff
dence were little more than extensions
of dDifting matches upon the placid bo-
som of the sleepy old Pacific. That
they were not productive of much suf-
fering and possibly loss of life is APP
parently due only to the beautiful
weather which almost invariably pre-
walls during the yachting season.
Should Have Been Race
re.4-
distance of seventy-f1ve miles by the
chart, although it can be made as much
longer as desired-a fact which some
of the contestants demonstrated to
their satisfaction.
Five of the crack boats of the South
Coast Yacht club started together to
the minute, and after experiences vari-
ously described as most thrilling, the
race. which ought to have been close
one, was finished hours apart by four,
the fifth not coming in at all.
THAT some of the crews endured
considerable amount of hardship can
not be denied. That they '-ere in some
possible danger is also certainly. 1t
is likewise safe guess that some were
rather seasiclx and q lot more badly
frightened
'When the race started everyone
thought it would be case of sail by
day and drift by night, with an occa-
sional aid from rome stray slant that
might assist the watchful ones into
first place, and numberless were the
learned dissertations on this ones quail
tiles on wind, that ones running and
some other on 4 broad reach.
: Had Plenty of Refreshments
"All were thoroughly prepared for the
race Weren't they fresh painted, and
didn't they have lunches a plenty as
we'll as sundry and various liquid re-
freshments in addition to the twenty
gallons of water required by the rules?
What more does 1t take to make a
yacht race? In calm weather nothing
more. But in a storm 1t takes boats
and sailors and preparation. To the
fact that this was only a fresh breeze
is due the return of some of the boats
at all.
"rhe weather on the start was a
fresh, Wholesale breeze, and although
the Monsoon started under a reefed
mainsall, she soon shook it out, and
by the time the end of the island was
reached she was carrying her big ball
loon and spinaker, in which she ap-
peared invincible in light airs.
mischief I was almost becalmed. in
spite of a secret dope on her bottom,
said to be made of fish slime and sup
posed to make her go whether there
was any wind or not.
Youths Are Seasick
"Mischief II was barely moving un-
der gaff topsail in addition to all
of her light sails, and Detroit was be-
calmed under the lee of the island,
where she lay idly Tapping like some
huge lazy bird.
"Venus had kept up toward Avalon,
and now, headed for the end of the
island, was bringing up the tail end Of
the breeze with her, although her
chances of getting around that night
did not look any too bright. Then pres
to change, a few favoring slants and
the entire fleet were around the point
and we'll up past Silver canon on the
ocean side of Catalina Detroit well in
the lead, Mischief II and Monsoon
fighting for second place, Venus fourth,
Mischief 1 last, about two miles be-
hind Detroit. but standing well out,
while the others hugged the island.
Nice Launches Are Spoiled
"Then change again, few sharp lit
tie SQUALLS, a heavy cross swell, inten-
sified by heavy tide-rip. A few
boats caught all aback with their light
sails set. Some sea-sick mariners,
with their cabins awash as we'll as their
salt water, and the appetltes for liquid
refreshments all gone, cold and wet and
getting colder and wetter.
could anything be worse? Well, yes,
It could have been worse, there might
have been a real wind. 1t might have
blown off shore. and instead of an
easy run to sheltering harbor. there
might have been a run to the open sea
for safety or long claw off les
shore
"Only one boat in the fleet carried
ground tackle sufficient to even make
a decent bluff at protecting her. In
spite of the rules, only one yacht car
ried a small boat that would have ac-
commodated her entire crew, and that
would have been useless in a sea when
heavily loaded. -Four OF the boats
weathered the island after some pound
ing around.
Has Fair Weather Compass
mischief 1 at about 11:30 weathered
two miles or so from the land, a useless
expenditure of time due to unfamiliar
ity with the course Then she started
of for Redondo with no better excuse
than compass which would not reg
lister In a heavy sea.
monsoon rounded close I'm soon after
about IL O'Clock, and Immediately lit