Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-30
YACHTSMEN SAIL
TO MYSTIC ISLE
ANNUAL CRUISE OF SOUTH
COAST BEGINS
TOY SAILORS ENJOY SUPERB
DAY AFLoAT
FlotiIla Of Beautiful Boats Anchor in
Harbor at AValon-Ball Fol-
lows Banquet to the
Mariners
(By United wireless)


AVALON Santa Catalina, May 20
Riding at anchor on the mirror sur
face of the bay tonight is the fairy
feet of dainty white sailed yachts that
put into this port this afternoon. On
shore the scene is one of rare beauty.
With the arrival of the South Coast
Yacht club fleet Avalon awoke and
took on an air of gayety unwonted at
this early season.
The fiotilla sailed from San Pedro
on the annual cruise of the yacht club.
This voyage to the island opened the
season-if it ever closed. The regattas
of the snappy little dories keep the
season open all winter, for the husky
sailormen love the salt sea more than
they love the delights of the yacht
club piazza.
When the fleet spread out after the
starting gun the scene at San Pedro
was one to delight the heart of all
yachtsmen. AS the boats rounded the
breakWater and stood out into the open
blue a light cross sea soon had them
dancing merrily and the freshening
breeze filled every snowy sail and sent
the little ships on their course at d
lively clip.
The keen new racer Mah-Pe attract
ed much attention. She lacked tuning
set before and all her standing rigging
was as yet unstretched, and her run
ming rigging stiff, she did not develop
anything like her speed.
Good old Mischief IL proved that she
merits the place she holds in the hearts
of her skipper and crew. Walter bol-
som and his merry men showed no sur
prise that they should be the first to
reach the calm blue waters of Avalon
harbor. Mischief II made the trip
across the channel in two hours and
fifty-fiVe minutes.
Captain X. r. Bradley and his vol
unteer crew brought Venus in second
and was given a cheer as he ordered
the hook over the side.
The twenty-four yachts that came
across today were all in good anchor
age in the afternoon, and the yachting
contingent from the boats in the har-
Dor was joined by several hundred less
hardy sailOrmen and women who came
over on the noon boat.
Elaborate preparations We're made
for the reception of the yachtsmen and
In the evening the broad walk was
crowded with the handsome amateur
sailors rugged out bravely i'm smart sea
toys Soon the pilot caps and doubtful
looking ducks disappeared, and tuxedo
and evening gowns were more in evil
dence.
At night the magic city was at the
height of it's beauty. Myriad lights
thrown out over the water and every
illumined point was reflected back a
hundred fold by the glittering waves
startled into life by the rushing
launches which darted here and there
among the hundreds of boats anchored
i'm the harbOr
No one stood anchor watch, as every
lad and every lassie went ashore to the
grand ball and concert at the Metro
pole.
One hundred and seventy sailors and
their sweethearts participated in the
banquet given i'm honor of the fleet.
Dancing and boating parties held the
guests and hosts from the honest sleep
of tired sailors until after midnight.
The great dining hall was decorated
with flowers and flags, and the whole
hotel was brilliantly Illuminated.
Tomorrow will be visiting day in the
feet and every owner will be aboard
ship to receive his friends.
The fleet will remain at Avalon over
Sunday and will return to San Pedro
Monday evening.