NOTES OF THE MONTH. TORQUAY REGATTA. THIS regatta took place on August 31 and September 1, and drew together a large number of yachts from the eastward and westward, including the Kestrel, Brilliant, Peri, and many others besides those which contended for the prizes. The course was from buoys moored in front of the pier, round a flag-boat, off Brixham, thence round another boat about midway between Berryhead and the Thatcher-stone to the flagboat off the pier. The course, which was about twelve miles, to be sailed twice. The following yachts were entered, and started for the Torbay Cup, of the value of £40, for yachts not exceeding 50 tons : The Union succeeded in carrying off this prize, after a well-contested race. In the Ladies' Cup, for yachts not exceeding 30 tons, the following were entered : Alarm ... Black Bess 18 tons .... 19 tons ... Thomas Wanhill, Esq. And for the Torquay Plate, for yachts not exceeding 20 tons : To the surprise, however, of the owners of the latter yachts, after the signal-gun to prepare for sailing had been fired, two of the regatta committee rowed off, and informed the owners that the committee, wishing to make up a second day's regatta, had determined that the Alarm, Black Bess, Sylph, and Coquette, should contend for the Torquay Plate, the Ladies' Cup being reserved for a handicap race for yachts of all descriptions on the following day. The owners of the Sylph and Coquette objected to this unusual and improper proceeding, and we are informed, contended, that as the committee had taken the entrées as above mentioned, receiving the tonnage dues, and issued cards to the same effect, they were bound to start the yachts accordingly. This, however, it would seem, the committee declined to do, consequently the Alarm and Black Bess alone started for the Torquay Plate, the former (owing to the bungling manner in which the crew of the Black Bess handled her), going away with a lead of a good half mile. In rounding the flag-boat off the pier, the Alarm still held her lead, but the Black Bess was evidently drawing upon her fast. In the second round after a gallant struggle, the latter yacht succeeded in wresting the lead from the Pool clipper, and came in advance about two minutes, consequently winning the match, after allowing the halfminute time, by about thirty seconds. The winner is decidedly a fast and good sea boat, but no beauty, and looks considerably larger than a craft of the tonnage which she is stated to be. Several gig-races followed, which concluded the sport. There was a steady whole-sail breeze all day. On Tuesday was sailed for the Ladies' Cup, in addition to a Sweepstakes of 1 sov., for yachts of any tonnage; a time race; half a minute per ton. The following started : The course was the same as the day before, and the wind being light, it was thought that the Alarm would win. She, however, cannot do anything in light weather. Her forte is in half a gale, consequently the position she had at the conclusion, although not unexpected, must have been anything but gratifying to her owner. The Medina carried off the cup, beating the Elizabeth (after deducting the time allowed for the difference in tonnage), by thirty-two seconds only. The latter yacht would undoubtedly have been the winner, had not the Victoria winded her the greater part of the second round. The following was the order of the yachts coming in-Medina, Elizabeth, Victoria, Alarm (about twenty minutes astern of the winner), and the Irene. The Arab carried away the jaws of the gaff in the second round, and was consequently out of the match. In concluding the account of this regatta, we have to express a hope that in future the committee will hesitate ere they venture upon adopting a course so detrimental to aquatic sports as that above pointed out. It was stated that no such proceedings would have been permitted, had certain influential gentlemen been present, who were unfortunately not able to attend from some domestic calamity. The proceeding was altogether most unjustifiable. Had the committee been desirous of a second day's regatta they should have adopted some less obnoxious plan than that of depriving the owners of small yachts of their chance of a prize, after receiving their entrance or tonnage dues. We venture to predict, that unless faith be kept with yacht owners at the regattas along the coast, committees may raise subscriptions and offer prizes, but gentlemen will not send their yachts to a distance at a considerable expense, upon the chance of meeting with such a reception as that above alluded to. ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB GRAND MATCH. The last match of the season of this highly-popular and spirited club, was sailed on Monday, the 7th of September, for a Grand Challenge Cup, value 100gs., for gentlemen's yachts, not exceeding 25 tons, belonging to any royal yacht club in the world. The Royal Sovereign steamer was engaged to accompany the contending yachts from Greenwich to Coal House point, about two miles below Gravesend, and back to the pace of starting; and she left her moorings off Adelaide Wnarf, about 10 o'clock, with a numerous and highly respectable assemblage of ladies and gentlemen. On arriving at Greenwich we found that the yachts had taken up their respective stations under the superintendence of the captain of the club in the following order, the first-named vessel being next the south shore, viz.: - 9. WIDGEON .. 20 W. Pegg, Esq.. H. Gunston, Esq. ...... .... ...... Distinguishing Colours. White, blue, vertical stripes. White, with red arrow. J. Reynell & W. Egan, Esqs. 8 red stars on white. R. Hope, Esq. B. Turner, Esq. ...... Lord A. Paget ...... T. Wanhill, Esq. Blue over red. Blue, white and blue vertically, Red with white cross. T. Snook & J. Cassell, Esqrs. Red with white star. As the wind was blowing pretty freely from the westward, the commencement of the match was advisably delayed till 12 o'clock, at which time, after a preparatory gun, the signal was given for THE START. The canting round of the yachts was one of the most interesting scenes of the kind we have witnessed for some time, and as they were so close alongside each other they got away in far better order than was anticipated. From her leviathan companions the little Brilliant came out from the southward in advance, and her crew, on passing the steamer, gave a cheer which was responded to by many on board. The Fortuna's bowsprit came in contact with the Gazelle's mainsail, which delayed them both a short time. The Success got the start of the others, quickly followed by the Ada Jane, Fortuna, Gazelle, Sabrina, and Widgeon, the Emily and Alarm bringing up the rear. Topsails were immediately brought into requisition, and the whole fleet ran down before the wind at a spanking rate. It was not to be expected that the Brilliant could retain her station in advance for any lengthened period, and therefore it will suffice to say of her for the present that she soon gave way to the others. Off Blackwall point the Gazelle had overhauled and was NO. CXIV.- VOL. XIX. 2 L the leading yachts, and came abreast of the Success and Fortuna, the remaining lot being pretty well up with them. As several gentlemen's vessels accompanied the match, the cloud of canvas at this period, when the yachts were so close together, added considerably to the beautiful effect of the animated scene. The Gazelle soon jibed upon her opponents, and took the lead with the Fortuna in her wake, the Success and Widgeon close astern of the second yacht. The Sabrina shewed as fifth, followed by the Ada Jane and the Emily; the Brilliant off Woolwich, the wind having abated a trifle, hoisting her topsail for the first time. The Alarm pursued a course alone between the vessels moored off Woolwich dockyard and the shore, the rest going outside in the track of the Gazelle. In jibing off the Warren the Gazelle was a quarter of a mile ahead, her big jib drawing her beautifully in advance. The Success, before reaching the half-way house, having dropped astern of the Widgeon, a larger topsail was hoisted, which, in our opinion, ought to have been set at the first onset. The Alarm had passed the Sabrina, and we may here observe of the latter yacht, that if Lord Alfred Paget intends to continue the same praise-worthy pursuit of patronising yachtsailing and entering into competition for the prizes, we would seriously advise him to get a much larger suit of sails, for those used on the present occasion are but ill adapted for wager-sailing, especially the topsail. He may rely on finding it tend materially to his advantage. Between the point above-named and Purfleet, the Gazelle, which at one time was the third of a mile in front of the fleet, was slightly drawn upon by the Fortuna, Widgeon, Alarm, and Success. At the top of Long-reach an occurrence took place which it may be said entirely put the Widgeon out of her chance of the cup. The Alarm at this period jibed upon her and attempted to pass her to windward, but not meeting with the success anticipated the helm of the Alarm was put up, and she went clear to the leeward. A second attempt, however, was made, and the Alarm went to windward, and when her bowsprit was over the taffrail of the Widgeon about four feet, the helm was again put up, and the breast backstays, topmast, and topsail of the Widgeon carried away, thus crippling her for the day. The circumstance was much complained of, and no doubt the subject will be mooted at the next club meeting, when we hope the owner of the Alarm will, for the sake of fair sailing, be enabled to exonerate himself from blame. We hear that Mr. Wanhill attributes the accident to the Widgeon putting her helm down when he was partially alongside of her to windward, which would have had the effect of driving the Alarm into the tier of coal brigs, had he not immediately put his helm up, when his bowsprit carried away the Widgeon's back stays, as before described. Of Greenhithe the Gazelle had increased her lead, and was at least half a mile ahead of the Fortuna, the Alarm nearly that distance astern of the second boat, the Success about a cable's length in the wake of the Pool yacht, and the Sabrina pretty close up to the Success, the Widgeon, owing to the loss of her topmast, being fifth. The Ada had succeeded in regaining the lead of the Emily, and the gallant little Brilliant continued to keep the two last yachts very close company. In this manner they arrived at Gravesend, and rounded the flag-buoy off Coal-house point as follows:-Gazelle, 23 min. 30 sec. past 2; Fortuna, 25 min. past 2 ; Alarm, 29 min. past 2; Success, 29 min. 45 sec. past 2; Sabrina, 30 min. 30 sec. past 2; Widgeon, 33 min. 45 sec. past 2; Ada Jane, 35 min. past 2; Emily, 36 min. 20 sec. past 2; and the Brilliant, 38 min. 25 sec. past 2. As there was not more than a quarter of an hour between the first and last yachts, and as the tide had not run its course, combined with the wind being dead against them, it may be said that the contest was recommenced, and the friends of the Alarm looked forward to her excellent qualities to windward with confidence, notwithstanding she was upwards of five minutes in the rear of the favourite, whose sails on rounding the flag buoy were greatly admired for their perfectness. The Fortuna "paid away" considerably to leeward, and it was evident that, however excellent her qualifications may be in running and reaching, she could not hold so good a wind as some of the other vessels. The Alarm beautifully doubled the distance flag; she jibed before she reached it, and cnt it off so very close, that she nearly headed the Fortuna the first board. The same praise may with equal justice be bestowed on the Widgeon, which yacht was admirably handled. Had the Sabrina been enabled to hoist a large topsail she would have been down much sooner, and consequently stood a better chance with her opponent, the Alarm, between the yachts it will be recollected so close and gallant a struggle took place a short time since. But notwithstanding the great drawback upon her, viz. the want of sufficient canvass, the Sabrina soon went ahead of the Success, and came too close to be pleasant to the Alarm. The Fortuna left the north shore for the Gravesend side of the river, and continued to make short tacks there, in the hope, we presume, of getting a southerly breeze, and thereby enabling her to make a long leg over round the point. It was evident that the Poole yacht was everhauling the Gazelle, and the friends of the latter were not a little alarmed at the safety of her position. The Gazelle wanted wind; her sails were not larger than the Alarm's, which yacht carried a vast quantity of canvass. At this period the Jack Tar yacht was in our opinion too close to the Gazelle, and although she occasionally bore up to leeward, she ought to have been kept at a greater distance from her. Gentlemen, in their anxiety to keep pace with the leading yacht, forget |