rating dus and the boats of H.M.S, Severn, was & great success, no less than eleven boats putting in an appearance to compete for the honours of the day. This is probably the largest number that has ever started in a race in Shangh has cer tainly not been approached for many yenrs Past. Although the boats from H.MLS, Severn are of course the service ones, they were all, we believe, on this occasion rigged specially for racing. The event proves conclusively, however, that except in reach ing or running bouts of that dus are no match for craft designed specially for speed. A great differences in size even will nut bring them together, as is aeon by the fact that the Severn's Munch, which is 36-ft. in length and entries about 1,100 sq. f. of sail, was conclusively beaten by four of the 24-rating class, the winner the Princess being 26 ft. long, and catrying only ahunt 575 eq. ft. of The time of the race being reckoned from the starting gun firing it was " cave of manoeuvring 80 to get across the line as quickly as possible. Thi was effected in the following order, and the spectacle of the eleven boats (the times of two which were not recorded) was one of the prettiest that has been seen on the river for a long time.
Severw's Ist cutter...2h, 30m. Alone Blu, Severn's galley 2h. sla. Lamb oe 2h, 31m, Princess. BL, Severn's. Bho.
Severu's launch hi. 92a, Violet bh. 82m, The Severn's pinnace and the Persever= ance uso started, Che Severn's launch had to allow time as under Alone 3.1-Rate Lamb 24-Rater Violet Perseverance (of measured.) Sccern's galley. 6m. 08s, Ast cute Nua aloe 04s, Mascotte 2.1-Rater 08s, There was a pleasant whole-sail breeze from the south-east and the race was tlerefore a beat to the janks and feom there running and reaching right to the stakeboat: moored at the top of Pagoda Rexch, the return journey being a reach to Pagoda Point, " beat toa little below the Arsenal, and from there a close haul to the junks and ran home.
Tu the beat from the starting line to the junks the Violet showed her wonderful quality to windward in a marked manner, as although she started last she was leadin, at the junks, followed by the Zum) and Princess, Inthe reach and run to Pagoda Point the Violet was passed by the Lamb, Princess and Alone, and this order was maintained till about' half-a-mile from the stakeboat when the Princess passed the Lamb to windward and took the lead, The stakeboat was rounded as follows Princess 31 30s, Lamb.. 45s.
Alone. 52s, Violet 3h. 00s.
Severn's launch 3h. iis.
The others were not timed.
One of the Severn's cutters was unfortunately detained for some time in passing through the junks, the passage being very crowded with native craft.
The order of rounding the stake boat as given above was maintained to the finish of the race, although nearing the junks the Lamb got within a length to windward of the Princess owing to the latter having been "pinched" to try and avoid making snather
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.