Year: 1869

Excitement Among English Yachfmen at the


Prosniso a. the Seas0n-The Welcome @
American Boa&s-A Great Prize Proposed.


COwEs. March 8, 1859.


We Engiishmen, with our outside reputation for
phlcgmatc temper, are excitable enough on q GER
tain range Of topics, and OF these II mastery
o. the sea- There is reference 70 guns in this. nor
to that mastery that contested for in the effort TO
see who can build the most outIandsh sort OF float
ing battery and throw the most iron In given time.
Our opinion ia that possess that mastery that lies
In the best seamanshlp and the best ships-that our
model for vessels and training for sailors are bet
ter all round than what are found any other c0un-
try. THIS IS thing to which we have 80 made up our
minds that question seems preposterous: when,
therefore, our supremacy B doubted, and there Ii
pr0ner to contest 1t. we are naturally In ferment
This Is the sort OF excitemens that now stirring
all up apropos to the anticipated coming OF several
american yachts-the Sappho and Dauntless, as we
hear for certain, and perhaps the Phantom and
others Excitement runs even higher than It did
when we were expecting the arrival OF your three
gallant boats from their cruise the Atiantic
FOR then, fine as was the contest we witnessed, we
were witnesses only and had the feeling OF those
who struggle for thesr own pride and fame


In former letter gave you some hint of what was
on hand In the way OF preparation here. the follow
ing circular will tell Ii has been addressed TO
the commodores OF the various yacht clubs through
out the United Kingdom


ROYAL ALBERT YACHT CLUB


SOUTHsEA, Feb ~, 1859.


SIR-At meeting OF the Committee OF the Royal
Albert Yacht Cub on the 18th inst IL was suggested
TO England, the yachting OF 1869 promises to
be one OF unusual interest, 1t would be favorable
s % a s ss o %en


To carry out this project IN becoming manner
would require the cordial cooperation OF the prin
cipal yacht clubs OF the United Kingdom, snd It is
hoped that they would join in an undertaking which
has for Its object the encouragement Of yacht racing
among yachtmen OF all countries.
The enterprise being OF so important and national
character, 1t Ia contemplated that by an appeal TO
the yachting community and the public there would
be no difficulty in raising funds to provide prizes
commensurate with the occasion.


1t Is stated that America Will send at least two
vessels to compete with British yachts and that the
French are constructing two or three for the same
purposes and it may be presumed that should this
regatta be determined upon many owners OF foreign
yachts will be induced to attend with their vessels.


II is the opinion Of many that grand inter-
national regatta, carried out with spirit and lber
ality, would give great ec0t to the season Of 1862
and be gratifying both to the public and to all
interested IN yachting.


the club will you have the kindness to inform me,
II 1t will be convenient to you. or the vice c0mmo-
attend meeting Of the nag officers OF the several
principal yacht clubs to be held in London, at
Wills ROOMS, az three 4. M, on TUESDAY, the 10Th
OF March next 10 take the subject into consideration,
and If approved Of TO appoint a committee to
carry out the necessary measures.


VIM. CONWAY-GORD0N, Vice Commodore.


is apparent Of course, that until after the pro-
posed meeting and the comparison Of views from
many clubs as take part, nothing be said posi-
lively as to what will be done; bur the movement
has already received assurance OF support from
some OF the best clubs In the country, and from
many distinguished individuals fond OF the sport.
IL Is estimated that the committee will be enabled to
offer prize of not less than f1.0oO value. Such
prize contested for in these waters by yachts OF the
great maritime nations-America France and Eng
land-will be trophy worthy to adOrn the rooms OF
any club in Christendom carrying with 1t the honor
OF victory where the best energy and skill OF the
world was on trial. II hardly needs tnat should
dwell on this to put American yachtmen on their
mette In preparation for the contest


Although no course is vet indicated nor any points
save that OF starting. 1t Is yet understood that
will be taken 10 fix upon course suitable for vessels
OF builds peculiar to the different nati0nalies and
this viii make 1t no doubt anything but q smooth
race. since the American demand for justice to the
American model appears to be for an ocean race,
and our own claim is that ours are the true sea
boats.


There will certainly be French boats In the race;
but nevertheless, the real strife for supremacy Will
be between American and English craft. There Is
naval architecture In the sport that can claim to
be French. The French boats are on our model;
they may be even built In our yards They will be
handled by French sailors and will give national
breadth to the contest so far as seamanship "a an
element IN 1t, and that OF course s not an unim-
uar nt nnrt