Year: 1866

i nave the uue IN tuelr taVOr.
Yachts ana Yachting-Ths Late Re-
| gatta.


Had the weather been more favorable, the
regatta of Thursday last would have been one
scenes ever witnessed in the harbor Of New
York, and even as it was, with fog and rain
rendering every object obscure and i'll defined,


the yachtsmen Of New York had every reason
to be proud Of the number and beauty Of the


vessels composing the squadron that got under


way from Owls Head for a run to the light
ship and back. The waters of Great Britain


can SHOW no more perfect specimens Of naval


architecture than the yachts Of New York; per-
feet in the models of their hulls, rugged with
| every regard to symmetry and strength ad-
mirably appointed in every manner, they form
a feet that calls forth the admiration of all,
| from the veteran "salt" who for q lifetime has
ploughed the briny deep, to the timid miss who
for the first time is allowed to receive informa-
ton on the subject Of tar, canvas and rope
| yarns.


| A stranger viewing the race would very
naturally have supposed all the vessels to
be contending for the prize; for it seemed
hardly possible that Of the number under
way but five were entered, and they Of the
| smaller class, as competitors for the much de-
! sired piece of plate, while all the larger yes
sells and the majority Of the smaller ones were
but mere lockers on, enjoying the sport but
not doing their share to enhance the interest
and excitement of the regatta. 1t is generally
| conceded that the reason for this is the unfair
allowance Of time to the smaller vessels, which
offers but little prospect for the large schooners
to enter into the contest with any hope of being
successful Owners of yachts such as the Fleet
rig, knowing the speed Of their vessels, do
not wish to risk their regulations by entering
| them against others of known inferior speed,
| yet which may, and probably will, carry
| off the palm by an allowance Of time
| that is almost impossible to overcome,
especially in the limited distance 10 be
| passed over. Consequently they prefer to
remain outside as mere observers, being salts
| fed with watching a race or waiting time
| when q private match can be made with an
equal in size, where speed and judicious man
agement will be sure to tell.
| Again, New York bay is not the proper field
| for display of the sailing powers and sea-
| going qualities of the large schooner yachts;
their place is at sea, not from Sandy Hook to
the lightship, but from the lightshlp around
Block Island or to the Capes of the Delaware,
or extend it further, if you please; for these
vessels are fitted for any weather they may en-
counter during the usual cruising season, and
they should resign the placid waters of the
bay to the smaller craft, considering them
selves "outsiders' or excluded from any race
not outside Of the .Hook." If this plan were
adopted ocean yacht races would rapidly be-
come popular, and while at first around Long
Island would be considered far enough, there
would be constant desire to 20 further, until
in time the venturcsome yachtsman would risk
crossing the Gulf Stream aud make Bermuda,
instead Of Block Island or the Five Fathom
Bank lightboat, the turning point Of an ocean
race. If We expect to induce the yacbtsmen
of England TO leave their present cruising
grounds to visit His part of the world
in order to have q trial of speed, We must
hold forth some other inducements than
mere inland cruising, for they will contend that
by keeping within bays and narrow channel
ways with which We are familiar, we have an
undue advantage over them which csnnot well
be overcome and in which they do no. care to
risk the reputation o. their vessels. But once
adopt the ocean races, and then the case be-
comes different. They viii! venture forth when
they see their chances equal, until in time, and
very little time, the waters Of the United
States during the yacht cruising season will
be dotted with the white sails OF many an
English yacht, coming to see and be seen, 10
conquer or be conquered


With this plain common sense view Of the
case would il no. be well for our yachismen
to take the matter in hand at once and CON-
mencc the good work by getting up a sweep
stakes for all large seagoing yachts, over
route entirely at sea, and giving course and
distance worthy Of the vessels that viii doubt
less enter at once for the race? Here would
be something worth while; race that would
interest all, outside as well as inside the Yacht
Club, and that would serve TO bring back the
interest and excitement that used to exist
whenever it was known that regatta was to
take place. The first one over, others will
soon be called for. until ocean yacht races
become as much an Institution with US as
trotting races, and bay and river cruising be
confined to the smaller vessels. BY oil means
Let the attempt be made. We have the vessels
fitted for the work, and once inaugurated our
yachtsmen will wonder II was never attempted
before, 80 popular will the sport become.





THE NAVAL OvTTcs vAcaScy.-There is con-
siderable excitement among the politicians in
regard to the vacancy in the Naval Office at
this port This being one Of the most lucra-
tive nositiona connected with the (Instom Hnnse