Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-17
WITH THE VETERANS
(By w. n. 6rady.)
The PHILADELPHIA Aquatlcs.

The Philadelphia Aquatics.
The many Philadelphia residents
in the home, who took an interest
in aqnatics or were pleased To read
the report of the yacht races in the
morning papers, will remember the
original Philadelphia Yacht Club,
when that organization was compris-
ed entirely OF twenty-five foot yachts.
This club was originated long be-
fore the war of the rebellion, and
continued active until several years
after the conflict had been brought
10 a close. Today the number OF
small sailing craft on the Delaware
river was never greater, or was more
interest ever shown for speedy boats.
In the old days when the 22-footers
predOminated there were scarcely
any fifteen foot yachts in use, but IN
1869 the larger yachts gave way TO
the latter length. and the races OF
today in consequence of the 1o-foot
classes are all the rage. The 22-foot
yachts sailed many races and sur
passed any piece of wood of their
inches for speed ever seen or heard
Of.
This fleet prior to going out OF eX
istence was composed of tn follow
in yachts:
Theodore Esling, Daniel P. Ray,
George NJ Hill, tlomerfelt, Morrit
Royster, Lewis c. Cassidy, Samuel
Hartranft. John s. Condey, John Guy
ant: which afterward became the
Warwick; John w. Ryan, Mcbride,
Pathfinder. John Robbins, named for
Hon. John Robbins, Democratic mem
her of congress from the Fifth dis
trict of Pennsylvania; George VIII
hanson, James Jefferies, George w.
Nebinger. John NJ. Butler, Blackman,
and John c. Heenan named for the
great American prize fighter. The
latter was a double ender" and was
the only boat of that build in the
club. In those good old days when
this retinue of sailors was iii com
mission. the course was always from
Otis street wharf. 'Fishtown," TO the
ICu DuON W Alit ely Oi OhNoNN'f
return to place of starting, a dis
lance of 80 miles. The best time
ever made over this course by a
Yacht of the 22-feet class was by
the Lewis c. Cassidy, which covered
the distance in two hours and five
minutes.
The regctta was participated in by
the entire fleet and a greater aquat-
ic event never occurred on the Della
ware river up to that time. When
the signalgun sounded the start, the
wind blew strong from the north,
yeering just a trifle to east. This
gave the fleet free run and with
all sheets off the yachts were put in
motion. presenting a charming pic
ture. At Smiths Island the Cassidy
was fourth, John S. Cassidy had
Slight lead with the Esling length
astern, and Hill less than six feet
aft of the third boat. on Glouchester
the Cassidy, by brainy work with the
tiller passed to the front and main
tanned first place to the lower bouy.
This yacht rounded the old familiar
Red stick fully five minutes ahead OF
the fleet, sheets were hauled and the
beat to windward for the starting
point began in earnest. The wind
increased in volume and in an in
stant. as it were. changed its di-
rection and blew fair as die up the
river. This was a terrific advantage
for the leading boat; sheet ropes
were laid out again, and while the
balance of the feet were beating
on the long and short leg tactics for
the lower buoy. the Cassidy with her