Winn 45
Poiitions were drawn for, and resulted thus: Emily2, Charm', Fearless 4, Madcap 5, and Nimrod 8. The conditions'of the race, were: Start from Police Hulk at 10 a.m., round stakeboat (fying No. 5 at the masthead) at the end of Gough's Island, and back to the Police Hulk. bbe sailed under the new Rules.
Shortly before the appointed time, the yachts took up their respective position the buoys, which we may observe in passing were admirably placed for a fair start, under the direction of Mr. Harris.
'A fresh breeze was blowing from the eastward, which necessitated two or more reefs, according to the judgment of the skippers. A good number of spectators had assembled in the Recreation Ground to witness the novel spectacle of yachts manned solely by foreigners, and speculation was rife as to results; for there are still a few who adhere to the opinion that boats cannot be sailed in China waters, without the "inevitable lowdah." Expe-nonce proved however that the only desideratum was the inevitable ' boy." With the unerring punctuality for which the Club is renowned, the gun fred, buoy ropes were slipped, mainsails set, and as pretty fa start was effected as we have ever yet seen.
The Nimrod, Fearless and Charm got away on the port tack, while the Emily was more fortunate in starting on the starboard tack, The only hitch at this part of the proceedings was on the part of the Madcap, which seemed in doubt which tack to take and, while hesitating in the wind's eye, lost much ground. A wag observed the he veteran tars who formed the crew in want of a "pigtail," to assist them. in their manceuvres. The Charm led the van, followed closely by the Emily, Nimrod Brd, Fearless 4th, and Madcap last.''The two former gradually drew away from the Nimrod, alternately crossing each other's bows with scarcely an inch to spare, and ultimately colliding. No damage was done, but a slight advantage was gained by: other boats, On approaching Collyer' dock, the qualifications of the bold C thians were called into requisition, and were expletives addressed to the who might possibly have rolled up the jib or rove the halyards; for in more than one case we observed that useful piece of muslin go up with a round The wind was now free, and the Charm looked like winning, while the Madcap gradually overhauled the Nimrod; but by 8 clever manoeuvre the latter gradually gained ground on all. The lower stakeboat was rounded thus, Room 8
Charm 1 68 18 Emily 2 0 20 Nimrod 2 1 40
Madcap 2 1 52 Fearless... 2° 10 22
It may be well to mention here that the Emily and Fearless took the Ship Channel, While the rest went through the Jank Channel; and this led to subsequent dispute. More sail was now set, and the speed increased proportionately. "After passing Gough's Island, the Nimrod passed the Emily, and a little further up left. thi Charm also behind. When nearing Dow's godowns, the wind fell light and drew right aft; sheets were eased, square sails boomed out, and boats trimmed to best a vantage much ballast being also thrown overboard at this point, in the shape of "dead marines, The Nimrod increased her lead, in spite of the Charm's endeavours to wrest it from her, and the Emily tried hard to take second place, but failed.
The time allowance which the first boat had to give, however, again disappointed her owner, and the Emily disputed the Charm's claim, on the ground that she had not sailed over the course. The race was advertised, to be "Round Middle Ground," and in printed Circulars of the Autumn Regatias the race for the Corinthian Cup" was so specified. It having been suggested that, unless a Stake-boat were placed below the Middle Ground, the yachts would probably round it too closely and get ashore on the spit, the Committee held a meeting, and decided to place a Stake-boat below Gough's Island. Neither the Charm, Nimrod or Madcap, sailed round the Middle Ground, but went and returned by the Junk Channel, merely rounding the Stake-boat, while the Emily and Fearless, by going round the Middle Ground, had to sail over a course more than a mile longer than that taken by the others. The matter was referred to the mittee, who decided that there was misapprehension, Both yachts thought they had sailed fairly; and the fairest thing would be that they should sail over again.
No steamer accompanied this race, and consequently we had to work our pas-with such a laborious and never-dents probably escaped our notice. Never-energy that many interesting incl theless we agree with the rest of the impromptu sailors, that the Corinthian Cup was decided success; and we shall be happy to extend our knowledge of the intricacies of yacht sailing, and become more familiar with bits, bights and blocks, by joining im the next racy of the same character, which we hope will take place at an early date, irrespective of Programme,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.