CHAPTER IX

SOME FAMOUS RACES

BY R. T. PRITCHETT

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Waterwitch,' 331 tons (Earl of Belfast) and 'Galatea,'

179 tons. The start for a race for 1,000 guineas, September 1, 1834.]

In former days, matches were made between yachts as between horses on the turf, and the stakes were often heavy, but such events are now almost unknown; the increase in the number of craft has divided the attention of the public, and the performance of each vessel is so well known that there are no dark sea-horses to bring out as a surprise.

The records of bygone matches are, however, far from easy to obtain, if, indeed, they are obtainable. Newspapers were formerly less numerous than they are at present, nor did there apparently exist much thirst for information and minute detail on the part of the public.

Accounts remain, however, of some few of the most important matches.

One for a thousand guineas, August 29, 1771, sailed between the Duke of Richmond and Sir Alexander Smith, the course being from Brighton to Beachy Head and back, has been already mentioned, but from this date much search has yielded scanty results. The war must have interfered greatly with the sport, for there is a long lapse of time when yachting scarcely came at all under the notice of the press. The Royal Yacht Squadron's fine cla.s.s of schooners and vessels of large tonnage, however, created and revived rivalry. On September 1, 1834, a great race for one thousand guineas took place between 'Waterwitch,' brig, 331 tons, belonging to the Earl of Belfast, and 'Galatea,' schooner, 179 tons; in this race Mr. Charles Ratsey sailed, and he is now hale and hearty in Cowes. The course was from the Nab Lightship, round the Eddystone Lighthouse, and back. The start took place at 10 A.M., on the Monday morning, when the weather was fine, wind tolerably fresh from south and west. The first day, in the afternoon, the wind fell light, almost a calm at 7 P.M., the yachts being then only off Dunnose, Isle of Wight. The schooner at this time was two miles to windward. On Tuesday, at 7 P.M., the two yachts were off Berry Head, Torbay, the schooner 'Galatea' still to windward. About this time, as the breeze freshened, she had the misfortune to carry away her jibboom, and got too close under Bolthead by the Start, thereby losing her tide. They rounded the Eddystone nearly together; from which point, both running large, the brig gradually drew away from the schooner, and finally reached the Nab Lightship at 2 P.M. on Wednesday, September 3, 'Galatea' coming in at 2.20 P.M. The course was about 130 miles, and the time occupied 52 hours. The race, in August 1842, also round the Eddystone, in an easterly gale, between 'Corsair,' 80 tons, and 'Talisman,' 84 tons, is justly celebrated.

'Corsair' won by 1 min. 30 secs. Two pictures of this race were painted by Condy, of Plymouth. Running down channel 'Corsair' is represented with a mizzen, which Mr. Charles Ratsey informed the writer was stuck in at the last minute and was carried away turning to windward; she is therefore shown without one on her return.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Corsair' and 'Talisman' race round Eddystone, August 1842, 'Corsair' winning.]

There was talk of a race between the Marquis of Anglesey's 'Pearl' and Mr. J. Weld's 'Alarm' for a thousand guineas, but it never came off; in fact, the Marquis never raced her from the time 'Pearl' was built in 1821 to the year of his death, 1854. The 'Mosquito,' with Captain John Nichols at the tiller, once came out on his weather, and the Marquis very politely dipped his ensign to the yacht that weathered him for the first time in all his years of cruising. The 'Arrow' and 'Mosquito' once finished a fine race, which was a marvellously close thing between them, 'Arrow,' 6 hrs. 59 mins. 30 secs., 'Mosquito,' 6 hrs. 59 mins. 31 secs.!

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Talisman,' 84 tons, and 'Corsair,' 80 tons, race, 1842.]

A very good account is handed to us of how yachtsmen more than half a century since--in 1830--enjoyed a real rough day's sailing on the Thames. A cup had been subscribed for of the value of fifty guineas, and all the cracks of the day entered for it:--

tons Matchless 19 Vixen 19 Lady Louisa 13 Fairy 13 Daisy 19 Venus 13 Rob Roy 16 Brilliant 8 Donna del Lago 9 Ariel 8

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lines and midship section of 'Corsair,' built by M.

Ratsey, Cowes, 1832. Length for tonnage, 57 ft. 9 in.; breadth, 18 ft.

6 in.; tonnage, 84-84/94.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Yseult'

_10-rater_ (_P. Donaldson, Esq._) _Designed by Fife_, 1892.]

The race was from Greenwich to Gravesend and back, and it certainly was not lacking in interest. The sport began early. 'Matchless'

carried away her boom, running into 'Lady Louisa's' quarter; 'Lady Louisa's' bowsprit caught 'Rob Roy's' backstay, and she followed 'Matchless' ash.o.r.e, dragging 'Lady Louisa' after her. At this time 'Daisy' was leading. Soon after 'Brilliant' became first and 'Ariel'

second boat. In Erith Reach on the return 'Venus' was waterlogged.

'Donna del Lago' carried away her bowsprit; 'Vixen' carried away outhaul, and when she got into Erith Roads 'Vixen's' mast went by the board. Finally 'Brilliant' won by 1 minute from 'Ariel,' who was second. They were both reefed down to the balance-reef, as shown in the ill.u.s.tration taken from an old print. Balance-reefs are seldom seen nowadays, although they are occasionally carried by fishing craft.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Brilliant' and 'Ariel' race, 1830.]

There was one day's racing in 1892 which should be handed down as a remarkable instance of what the new boats can do in a stress of weather. It was Largs Regatta, July 12, when the Largs men witnessed and took part in the kind of sport they so dearly love; they are severe critics, but give honour where honour is due, especially to weatherly craft and good seamanship. The wind was from the east, freshening up towards the time for the start. Unfortunately 'Meteor'

and 'Iverna' were not competing, the former having damaged her gaff.

The forties were there, four in number--'Queen Mab,' 'Corsair,'

'Varuna,' and 'White Slave'--the 'Mohican' was flagship, in line with a flag on Largs Pier. It was a truly wild morning, white squalls being frequent and severe. The Firth was all spoondrift; 'Queen Mab' and 'Varuna' had housed topmasts, one reef down, 'Corsair' topmast on end.

Under Knockhill the squalls were tremendously heavy, very patchy and local. Off Skelmorlie the racers got the true east wind hard, and found the flagboat dragging her anchor. They rounded, however: 'Queen Mab' was timed 11 hrs. 8 mins. 16 secs., 'Varuna,' 11 hrs. 8 mins. 52 secs. Coming over towards Largs they got into a lull, when 'Corsair'

set her gaff-topsail, 'Mab' and 'Varuna' getting topmasts on end; the latter set her topsail, the former did not. Soon a mighty rush of wind burst down from between Tomont End and Largs. At the 'Knock' again there was a kind of vacuum-c.u.m-Maelstrom. Soon after, in a wilder phase of Clyde weather, 'Mab' and 'Varuna' were caught by a fierce squall and laid down to it. 'Corsair,' unfortunately, was the victim of a squall spout, which carried away her mast close to the board--such was the strain that something must have gone. The 'White Slave,' belonging to Mr. F. W. L. Popham, was at this time off the Knock; she took in her topsail, and nearing 'Corsair' further reduced her canvas, lowering her mainsail to a.s.sist her. Ultimately 'Corsair'

was towed by Duncan, of 'Madge' fame. Skelmorlie mark was rounded at 12 hrs. 42 mins. 30 secs. by 'Queen Mab,' at 12 hrs. 45 mins. 12 secs.

by 'Varuna.'

After this all was flying spoondrift and canvas reduced to two sails--the wind harder than ever. Smoking bows were the order of the day, clouds of spray soaked the mainsails nearly to the peak, gaffs were like rainbows in curve, all hands were warily standing by to lower foresail or meet the next emergency. 'Queen Mab' finished in 1 hr. 43 mins. 35 secs., 'Varuna' 1 hr. 49 mins. 33 secs.

Parker sailed 'Queen Mab,' Gould 'Varuna,' Sycamore 'Corsair.' It was indeed a hard blow, and a fine display of yacht handling and good seamanship under most trying circ.u.mstances; the 'Yseult,' 10-tonner, lost her bowsprit, and everybody lost something. All credit to the skippers, who never lost their heads.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Iverna' (J. Jameson, Esq.) and 'Meteor' (H.I.M. The Emperor of Germany).

_Dead heat in the Clyde, July 4, 1892._]

The '6-rater' match seemed to be the joy of Largs, especially on this occasion, when the weather enabled the crews to show what the Irish boats could do. So much damage had been done that three only were left to start: 'Red Lancer,' Col. Crawford, 'Savourna,' Mr. H. L.

Mulholland, and 'Windfall,' Mr. Gubbins. They seemed to revel in the storm; 'blow high, blow low,' was all the same to them. More would have started had they not been unhappily crippled in one way or the other, but those that did were nearly blown out of the water. The maxim of 'Batten down' was in every case emphasised. After a tremendous experience of what the Clyde can do to encourage real seamanship and fearless daring 'Savourna' came in at 2 hrs. 3 mins., and 'Red Lancer,' 2 hrs. 3 mins. 39 secs; 'Red Lancer' taking 1st prize, 'Savourna' 2nd prize. Largs Regatta in 1892 will long be remembered; it was no flat racing, but real steeplechasing in the Clyde.

1892 also leaves us a dead heat between the two champions of the season, the 'Iverna' and the 'Meteor.' This occurred at the Royal Clyde Club, July 4, 1892; wind W.N.W., a fine breeze, both carrying jibheaders at the finish, as shown in the ill.u.s.tration. 'Iverna' led by 19 seconds--3 hrs. 25 mins. 28 secs., allowing 'Meteor' 19 seconds; 'Meteor' finished at 3 hrs. 25 mins. 47 secs. Dead heat.

This was sailed off, July 8, in the Wemyss Bay programme, and resulted in a very fine race, topmasts struck, first reef down in mainsail--real going, both vessels made the most of and thoroughly well handled. Mr. William Jameson and O'Neil were on 'Iverna,' and Gomes was at the tiller of 'Meteor.' It was a grand exhibition of yacht-racing, and finished, 'Iverna,' 4 hrs. 18 mins. 26 secs., 'Meteor,' 4 hrs. 21 mins. 22 secs.

CHAPTER X

RACING IN A 40-RATER IN 1892

BY R. T. PRITCHETT

Most of the races described in these volumes are from the standpoint of the looker-on ash.o.r.e, or else on board some vessel which was not competing; the present chapter describes a race from that point of vantage, the deck of the winning yacht.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Going aloft.]

Cowes in the early morn is not generally known to visitors. The 'wood and bra.s.s work'--a term better known on board than on sh.o.r.e--is now in full swing, for this admirable function must be completed by eight bells. If cleanliness be next to G.o.dliness, surely yachts have very much to commend them, with their spotless decks, bleached runners, and immaculate canvas. In leaving the pontoon for the offing, the various craft increase in size as the water deepens. First the small raters are pa.s.sed, 1/2-, 1-, 2-1/2-raters, 'Wee Winn,' 'Polynia,' 'Hoopoo,'

and 'Kitten'--described by 'Thala.s.sa' in his Solent chapter. Pa.s.sing the tens and twenties the French yachts are reached, for of late years the burgee of the French club is often seen at Cowes, and the American flag is more frequent than of yore. The Guard-ship now looms. The Royal yacht, 'Victoria and Albert,' is at her buoy, the Royal Yacht Squadron n.o.bly represented. Eight bells now strike. Immediately the morning flutter of bunting flies to the mastheads, where all the burgees should arrive simultaneously, taking the time from the flagship--but they do not, unfortunately. (N.B.--Racing flags can be lashed before eight bells, as they have no halliards.) By this time we see the 40 just astern of a yawl and ahead of a Frenchman. 'Queen Mab'

is basking and glistening in the bright morning sunshine, in perfect repose, yet rather fretting to be off, for with her colour she knows what is coming. Having come alongside very carefully, without touching the varnish, we are soon on board, and find all in motion. The business of the day has begun, the preliminary functions are completed, such as sending the gig away with the superfluous gear of squeegees, mops, oars. The 12-ft. dinghy is already lashed over the skylight, with the stem wedged up to the coaming abaft of the companion. The tyers are off the mainsail, and it is soon on the hoist. The crew are going aloft, to string down on the throat halliards; gradually the peak rises, well up, about 45, and with the modern lacing down to the boom the sail soon becomes fairly set. Next, the gaff topsail. In America, in the 'Puritan' and other racers, photography shows that they start with two, jibheader and jackyarder or club foresail, so called from the club or yard at the foot. In the 'Vigilant,' the jackyarder was set most cleverly over the jibheaded topsail when running back in the final race. In joining a racer there is nothing so comfortable for host and guest too as being on board in good time. With a flying start it is very important to be under way to the minute, especially in light winds and with a tide running, such as the swill in Cowes Roads generally is, whether spring or otherwise.

It is no joke for a boatman to catch a racer once under way, even without her head sails, in the offing, to say nothing of the anathemas of the owner, and the skipper's suppressed comments.

Soon comes the welcome of the owner of 'Queen Mab,' Col. T. B. C.

West, well known in the yachting world in connection with that grand yawl 'Wendur,' 143 tons, T.M., built in 1883, his famous 10-rater 'Queen Mab' in the Clyde, and now the 'Queen Mab' of 1892. The forties are a very prominent cla.s.s and justly so; they emphasise the sport of cla.s.s racing over handicaps.

About this time the racing flags of other craft are a subject of intense interest, and the crew are immensely keen. Should an old adversary not be getting under way, the why and wherefore will be at once discussed; this generally brings out prominently any hand of the 'sea lawyer' cla.s.s, if the owner has unfortunately shipped one. The head sails have now been set, and we are curvetting and pirouetting about waiting for preparatory gun. There is no doubt that wonderful skill is shown in the handling of the various craft. A dexterity and firmness are apparent which could never be secured with the American system of adjusted time: thus if 'Vigilant' were four minutes late at the start, that time would be deducted from the winner at the finish.

Now comes the full excitement of the start. 'First gun, sir; fifteen minutes to go!' is the word, and for the next eighteen minutes all is extra wariness, sometimes fourteen yachts under way, manoeuvring, and keenly watching each other. 'Blue Peter, sir, five minutes!' is next heard. The owner, watch in hand, by the skipper, records the fleeting moments as they pa.s.s, calling out the minutes: at length it comes to 1 min., 50 secs., 40 secs., 30 secs., 20 secs. 'How much, sir?' 'Ten seconds'; then 'Let her go!' and she goes--with her cranse iron over the line directly after the gun. Everyone now turns attention to the recall numbers. Are there any? There has been such a thing as three over the line out of four starters, so great is the eagerness for a lead.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Old Style.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: New Style.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Reverie,' 1891.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Corsair,' 1892.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Queen Mab,' 1892.]