Race Between the Jessie Henderson and Albatross.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1751, 24 September 1875, Page 2

Race Between the Jessie Henderson and Albatross.

We have received from Captain P.obinson, of the Jessie Henderson, the following interesting account of the last trip of that wellknown schooner to Tairua, in wbieh she was in company with the .Albatross It will be seen that Captain Robinson claims to have won the race : —At 2 p.m. of the 10th, the Albatross got und^r weigh at the North Head, while at 2.30 the Je&sie Henderson weighed from a berth to the west of the wharf, and beat down the harbour, tacking at the Bnstion at the same time as the Albatross at Rangitoto reef, distance about three miles dead to windward. At six p.m. were within half a mile from her, both veesels going about at the same time every tack. At this time the wind fell light and died away to a calm. In the light winds she got away from us. At 9 the wind came in from tht N.E., and during the nigbt so remained, the Jessie Henderson working alone V'aihtke, the Albatross not being in sight after 10 p.m. On the lltb, at 6 a.m., when the Jessie Henderson was about ten miles from Cape Colville, the Albatross was discovered about eight miles ahead od the lee bow. At 6 30 she passed ahead of us about four miles dead to windward, and now the race begins. The wind a whole eail breeze ; the Jessie Henderson carrying only working canvas, and the Albatross with staysail set ; both vessels tacking at the same time, and the Jessie Henderson steadily creeping up till 7,30, when we tacked about two miles astern and one point to leeward of the Albatross ; wind and sea rising. Ad 9 we were in her wake, and at half-past we passed to leeward, aud tacking at the same time ; in fifteen minutes wo were away on her weather bow and leaving her fast. The wind now favoured a little, which gave us an opportunity of trying what we could do on a lead, which it is said is the Albatross's best sailing point, and while the wind continued fresh we could outsail her ; but in the lulls she always came up, but never recovered her lost ground. At noon we were obliged to take in one reef of our mainsail and furl flying-jib, the Albatross doing the same first. With reefed canvas we gained faster. The weather being too thick and dirty to proceed both vessels decided to run into Mercury harbour for shelter. Next morning, the 12ch, both vessels got under weigh, the Albatross at 7 35, and Jessie Henderson at 7.50, to beat out, and in 35 minutes we crossed her bow. At 12.10 we anchored off Tairua, the Albatross getting in at 1.30, leaving us a gain of one hour 35 minutes in a run of 24 miles, about half of which was a dead beat. With plenty of wind or in short tacks we can beat the Albatross very easy, but with a light breeze or on a long lead she is dangerous.

With reference to the above we are informed that the Albatross carried away her main-topmast during the run down. The captain has written to the owner to have a new one ready on his return. We have little doubt that if Captain Robinson or the owner of the Jessie Henderson think their vessel can beat the Albatross, Mr Harris will be very easily persuaded to make a match.