Melbourne International Regatta.

Auckland Star, Volume XI, Issue 3220, 15 November 1880, Page 3

Melbourne International Regatta.

LAUNCH OF AUCKLAND YACHT.

Wiikn it waa lirat proposed to send a new

yacht to Melbourne to compete in tho lirstcluss yacht race at the Exhibition International Kegatta, to bo held there on January loth, many doubts were expressed as to whether such a venture would really bo made. Thanks, however, to the energy and enterprise displayed by a number of our citizous, tho schemo assumed a practical form, and in a very short time, Mr Thomas Niccol, shipbuilder, of the North Shore, was engaged in the construction of the new vessel. The necccsaarv funds being forthcoming, work was pushed on rapidly, and last Saturday saw the yacht, on which depends the hopes of Auckready to be placed in the water. Tho launch took place this afternoon at tho North Snore, and was witnessed by a considerable number of interested spectators. All the arrangements were satisfactorily carried out, and the launch was in every respect a success. Mrs James McCosh Clark performed the christening ceremony, at the same time expressing the hope that the little craft would equal the expectations that were clioriahed regarding her, and that she would uphold the fame of Auckland as a shipbuilding port. It had been decided to christen the ve-sel the Waiatua, but it was subsequently discovered that the literal meaning of this was "Tho Spirits' Water." "Atua o te Wai" is tho Maori equivalent for " Spirit of the Water." the name which was desired. It was therefore afterwards agreed to call her tho "Tauewha," which means a sea god or monster of which tho Maoris have a great dread. Tho launch wus witnessed by a uiimber of persons connected with shipping, and the opinions regarding tho yacht were very tavourahlv indeed. She is 3S tons measurement—being 55 feet on the load line by 13 feet beam. Her draught of water is 10 feet 6 inches aft, and 5 feet (J inches forward. Her hull presents a very handsome appearance. She has a tumblehome side and a long light counter. Her bows are generally considered to be very pretty, but her run is spoken of as being a little too line. A couple of tons more displacement thero would have given her better sail-carrying power, and by taking the balance of her weight a little further aft, it would have made her easier in a head sea. The tumblehome ruts out aft rather quickly abaft tho ruuner, and then nips in again to the counter somewhut in the manner that the Waitangi's did. This appears to bo tho only flaw in her beauty. She has a powerful midship .section, and will requite a considerable quantity of ballast. She will be cutterrigged. Her sail plan is a large one, the mast being : Deck to hounds, 39 feet; masthead, G^fect 8 inches ; housed, 3 feet (i inches. Total, 54 feet 2 inches. The bowsprit outboard is 28 feet, boom, 52 feet G inches ; gafF, 33 feet; topmast, lid to sheave, 33 foot. A very complete suit of sails has been made by Mr T. Boyd, the working sails being of No. 4 cotton canvas. These dimensions should supply wings of sufficient power to take her 25 tonsjof ballast along at a hi"h rate of speed. It is generally thought thftt| she has scarcely enough lead outside, but with this There is no doubt that if she is well handled, the cew yacht will acquit heiselt with credit. She is a vast improvement ou the Waitangi which was built by the same firm about two years ago. We understand that Captain Henry Press, a recent arrival in the colony, has been engaged to take the vessel over to Melbourne and sail her there. He possesses excellent testimonials for competence, trustworthiness, and sobriety. He has served in the pilot service at Burham, England, and has also held positions as skipper and chief officer of a number of other vessels.