"Enthusiast" Replies To the Editor of the "Nonra-Ciixa Dany News"
St—In your issue of August 9, your correspondent J.C, L. in his opening remarks holds forth to the effect that it is mere hypocrisy to wish May the best boat win."
Well, he is entitled to iis opinions, though one is inclined to think that hho judges others by himself, At any rate, no sleep will be lost on this account, T don't pretend to be an expert, but having served 18 years in sailing T can claim some knowledge about handling of same. J, C, admits Ranger was beaten by "En: deavour T during an unofficial trial, Well, T suppose that an unofMelal defeat is every wit as bad as an official tone. I am not good at splitting halts, "He mentions that those on the spot agreed that Ranger was the better boat, So did those on the spot, that Endeavour I was a faster raft than her sister Endeavour I
Therefore I submit that Ranger is rot the wonder she is upposed to be. But I think that she was in charge of a remarkably smart skipp2t, and crew. J.C. Li's remarks about a leo-way of 184 minutes seo devoid of meaning in the sense apparently intended. Every vessel under sail makes more of less leeway, Except when wind Is well abaft her beam, "cunning free."
Our critio'is right. Other, explana tions are needed to account for Endeavour's loss of time due to bad. handling, One of great importance was that she was over-ballasted. for prevailing light winds, and consequently sluggish in her movements. She may have deviated from her course during rain and mist as reported on that occasion, due to loss of her bearings. One cannot say, not being on the spot.
Nevertheless, I stilt maintain that given a decent wind, say 15 miles an hour, Endeavour would give a good Jaccount of herself, and prove that she is second to none, Likewise ditto her designer, Mr, Elm Stephens notwithstanding, Tam finished as regards this controversy. But it pains one to recall hhow g fine racing yacht was but-
Shanghai, Aug. 10, (Enthusiast).
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.