Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-17

J.
Il sure winner. In the time above
stated this yacht reached the home
bouy. beating all her adversaries hull
down.
The best time ever made over TINS
| course with the wind dead ahead
one way, was in race between the
| Theodore Esling and John {. Con
Gey. This contest was won by the
| Condey in two hours and forty min
utes. The Esling was close astern
being only fifty-two seconds to the
| had. The Esling was noted as
heavy weather boat, while the John
N. Hill a veteran competitor was
at her best in smooth water. Races
between this pair of "Fishtown"
yachts were frequent and in all truth
the honors were about even. Both
were speedy, well managed and had
legions OF friends.
During these contests, 1t was
sight worth the price OF witnessing
the race TO see "Yank" Richards work
the sliding outrigger on the Esling-
lie was in all probability the most
nimble man OF any crew that worked
Yacht in his time. These yachts
we're all sloop rugged, or in other
words carried a jib and mainsaii,
and their racing gear comprised
about 100 yards of canvas. Each
crew numbered about II men, and
cnlnlu for THAR
ability to handle a yacht that must
carry a big spread sail. Every man
knew his place and it did not re-
ouire a second order from the captain
for them TO understand their duty.
While q race was on, all eyes of the
respective crews We're frequently
thrown aloft, and the little wind pen
nant at the head of the mast was
the object sought for. AS this tell
tale would blow out, It's direction told
in plain English what the duty OF
every man on board was. In order
to carry the big rag" out riggers
were used, these consisted OF three
strong planks. They were so nice
ly arranged that a slight push would
send them cupboard where they form
ed a triangle In a hanrd blow these
outriggers were used by the crew, a
given number of whom would crawl
out to the cross board, and in this
way the yacht was kept on her feet"
and allowed to safely continue her
course.
In races for a large purse all the
ingenuity known to the art of sail
ing was brought into play and it has
been the writer's privilege to witness
many regettas and contests in which
five and sometimes six men were nee
essary to work the outriggers, easily
feet out board to allow all sail to be
carried. Although the yachts were
decked and used wash-boards, a great
deal of water came in board, and TO
keep the flood down one man espec-
tally in a VINEYARD blow, would be
continuously busy with a large scoop
bailing out.
The spectators who followed the re-
gettas on steamboats,, were frequent
iy nonplussed as to how these dimi-
iritive crafts could possibly stand up
under such an enormous spread of
sail. Quite frequent, however, an up
set would enliven tire fun, but as the
only ballast carried was live freight
tina, with tho crew overheard, the
yacht swan easily enough. For such
mishaps one of tine crew always
swan to the head OF the mast, and
astride Of the stick, the balance OF
the crew crawled on the side of the
yacht and so remained until a friend
iJy tug boat picked them up, towed
tine boat to the shore where she was
speedily righted, sail made and all
lon board were soon homeward bound.
| in 1869 the fifteen felt yacht came
INTO vogue and in a remarkably short
thine their use for sailing purposes
became general.
Later on a new Philadelphia yacht
club was organized with Commodore
lJohn Sidebothon at its head. The
club prospered for many years, and
presented to the lovers Of aquatic
sports, long series of the finest con-
tests even seen at this time on the
Delaware river. The. features of this
class, when it is considered the boats
were only Is feet in length and -
fleet beam, carried no outriggers, and
used a crew Of six men, was remark
abie. and drew many citizens to wit
ness their contests. The fifteen foot
ers comprised a number Of classes
the most popular being the Hikens
Tulips and Double Enders.