THE YACHT THISTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1887, Page 5

THE YACHT THISTLE.

Defeats of the Ircx and Cienesta. ,\f, y,i •■;.'

The Scotch champion Thistle sailed hei maiden race on May 28th from South End to Harwich, 50 miles, having as rivals such famous cracks as the Irex, Genesta and Sleuthhoiind. The contest proved' very unsatisfaotory, the weather resernblinginevery respect justsuch weather as thatinwhichthe Puritan and Genesta made so many unsuccessful attempts to race two years ago. The Thistle moved through the water without creating a ripple, and five minutes after the start all other starters were oub of the race, so far as beating the Scotch yachtwas concerned. Sha showed wonderful speed, and finished "more than seven miles ahead of the Genesta, while the Geriesta.led the Irex by half a mile. The Foxhound, 'Neptune and Queen Mab did not finish until |7 o'clock on May 29 (morning), having anchored; off Cork lightship over night on account of the Another Victory. On June Ist the Thistle won. the royal Thames match from Lower, Hope to the Mouse lightship and return, fifty miles, with the greatest ease. The Irex, Genesta, and Sleuth-hound were the ThistWs .'competitors, the time allowance being,as follows: Irex, 6.15, Genesta, 6.44, Sleuth-hound, 23.16. The start was effected at 11.39 a.rz., ZI& Genesta getting over the line first, the Thistle second, the Irex third and .the Sleuth-hound last. After getting over the line the Genesta held first place as long as a sharp luffing match between the Irex and Thistle continued, but when the Thistle got the better .of . the, Irex, arid was unhampered, the Genesta was nowhere, and dropped behind like a log., There was a fine easterly wind blowing, making the first" twenty-five miles a dead beat to windward. There was a very short chop of a sea, but not enough to prevent the yachts carrying club topsails and kites. The Thistle made a fine showing in windward work and even better in running. On reaching the Mouse and going about for the run before the wind home she was six minutes ahead of the Genesta and eight minutes ahead of the Irex. On going down the wind she was simply a marvel, especially after it lightened somewhat, when the spinnakers were shifted and the wind hauled northerly. The other yachts were not in the race at all. The finish at Graveaendwas as follows:— Thistle, 6 hours 15 seconds; Irex, 6 hours 23 minutes and 50 seconds; Genesta, 6 hours 25 minutes and 2 seconds ; Sleuthhound, not' timed. The Scotch yacht won the race on its merits, and proved better than in any previous match her great superiority over any English yacht ever built. Victorious Again. The match of the Eoyal Thames Club from the Lower Hope around the Mouse lightship and return, 50 miles, on' June 2nd. was sailed in a s.tiff northeast breeze and a fair chopping sea. The' Thistle again won, outsailing the Irex on every point, and proving very stiff and powerful with a beam wind. The first twenty-five miles; was windward work and was with a .free wind. On the latter point' the Thistle beat the Irex more than in the former, though the Irex -was greatly inferior to the Scotch yacht on both points. The Genesta.madeabad showing. There was some trouble between the yachts in crossing the line, and it is rumoured that the Irex disputes the Thistle winning, from-the fact that the Thames Committee refuse to announce the winner's official time. The matter is supposed to be under advisement, though there is no doubt in the minds of many members that the Thistle won fairly and squarely, This performance confirmed . the /universal opinion of the Thistle's splendid capacity. Some experienced English yachtsmen say that she is the finest racing yachb afloat. The Wendur takes first prize, and the Thistle, although first in, takes third place under the time allowance. The Thistle was built by D. and W. Henderson, of <jhe Meadowside shipyard, at) Partick, near Glasgow, on the River Clyde, from the design of G. L. Fletcher. She i 3 owned by a syndicate of British yachtsmen, and is intended to outsail any American yacht in a race for the America's Cup. ■ Her, dimensions, as stated in "Lloyd's Maritime Journal," are as follows : Length over »all on load-water line, So feet; breadth, 20 feet 3 inches,; depth of hold, 14 feet 1 inch; hei 1 tonnage by surveyors' measurement is 1005 tons. She hds a flare in both stem and stern, which is of advantage in enabling her to cany plenty of canvas. Her stern is of the clipper type that characterises the ships formerly; engaged in; the China tea trade before the advent of steamers. Both stem and stern have overhang, giving- room for the spread of a large mainsail. The hull up to the covering board is plated with steel, while her deck and, fittings are constructed of selected timbers. In racing, the Thistle is rigged as a carrying a mainsail, a large topsail with yard and gaff, and head sails with the addition of a balloon jib.