YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 200, 24 August 1928, Page 13

YACHTING.

SCHOONER RACE ROUND TIRI.

THE REGATTA OF 1884.

(By SPEEDWELL.)

The race for schooners sailed at the Anniversary Day Regatta, January 29, 1884, the start of which was given in this column two weeks ago, is continued. It will be remembered the contestants were Cygnet (56 tons), Fanny Thornton (82 tons) and Louie (99 tons). The first prize was £150 and champion flag, second prize £50, and third prize £25. After a close start between Cygnet and Louie, these two kept well together on the run down to Tiri Tiri, with the Fanny Thornton behind, but picking up fast. The race was described in the Auckland "Star" of the Regatta, Day issue, the incidents being sent to the '"Star" Office by carrier pigeons released at intervals from the Cygnet. The following takes up the story from last issue:—

The Louie and Cygnet stood on down to Tiri Tiri almost in a line and well to windward, the former leading by rather less than half a mile, while the Fanny, holding on a much straighter course, and in consequence making less allowance for clearing the island, was several hundred yards astern of the Cygnet. Such was the position when the vessels were two miles off the island. The scows could be seen close in shore, the \ ixen leading with the Result in near attendance. As the island was approached the wind fell lighter, and the vessels sailed almost on an even keel. Off Rakino Island the Fanny began to come further to windward, and to creep up so that the Cygnet once more sent up her square sail. At this point the Louie was well down to the western end of the island and still going well. The Cygnet's hopes are now centred on the race back, although there is not a great chance of much beatinfr so far.

It soon became apparent that the Fanny had gone too far to leeward, for in keeping up to the wind the headsails ceased to set well. The Louie's sails required the least attention, for they set remarkably well and a splendid course was steered, the helmsman not abandoning his place for a moment. At 10.30 tlie Louie began to go.round the island, giving it a pretty wide berth, and the last of the scows (Results just being ahead of her. Five minutes later the Cygnet gybed and prepared to go round, and a minute afterwards the Fanny, now some 100 yards astern and closer in--liore. followed suit. The Louie sent down her square topsail, and the Cygnet took in her square sail, the freshening breeze bringing both vessels almost down mi their beam ends occasionally. Abreast of the lighthouse, the Cygnet sent down her main gaff-topsaj). as it did not sit well, and replaced it with a smaller one. The Louie did not do so well on the wind, and the Cygnet materially improved her position, while the Fanny fell further astern. From Shag Rock the vessels took their first board at 11 o'clock towards Rangitoto, the Cygnet now having the lead, the Louie being more tlian half-mile to leeward, and the Fanny -100 or 500 yards astern of the Cygnet in a direct line. At 11.20 the Fanny went about and stood across towards the lighthouse, and at 11.'J5 the ( ygnet tacked and held over to the windward of tlie Whangaparaoa peninsula. taking up the weather position of everything—scows included. The Louie kept too near the eastern shore, and when■at last she did go about in the same direction as the Cygnet, she had got into a position about two miles astern of the latter.

At 12.10 the Louie went about again, standing this time for the lighthouse and proinifing to bring up to leeward of everything, nut excepting the cutters. Cygnet is now sailing abreast of Vixen, which appears to have the scow race thoroughly in liand. At 12.25 the Cygnet. now nearly halfway between Tiri Tiri and Rangitoto. tacked again, making directly for the latter island, while the Fanny, now some two miles astern, continued to make for the Whangaparaoa position. The Cygnet headed the whole fleet by a good distance at 12.30. and Captain Ro-s was confident of finishing first, although troubled by a doubt as to whether the Fanny might not come out right with the time allowance. At 12.4.) all the vessels were beatine wel! to windward with a fine whole-sail breeze, the cutters being on good terms with the scows, excepting the Vixen, which is not far behind the Cvgnet.

The Cygnet at 1.30 p.m. was off the Northern end of Rangitoto Island, and j there she made a short tack for the purpose of weathering the reef. At the j same time the Fanny Thornton was away three miles astern and somewhat to leeward of the Cygnet, but heading towards her and holding a much better position than the Louie, which is now out of sight amongst the cutters and sebws. At 1.33 the Cygnet weathered; the scow Vixen, crossing her bows, the crews heartily saluting each other by a waving of hats. The Ringarooma, with the disabled scow Result in tow, is now cominc straight up the channel. Failinir in this board to weather the reef, the Cygnet at 1.40 tacked again and headed straight for the North Head, favoured by a breeze, which brought her port bulwarks almost on a level with the water. She sails splendidly on the wind. Such a tremendous list, however, did she have at this stage that the foresail had to be loosened and the jibtopsail taken down. She lav over to the gusty breeze, but the sails had frequently to be slackened. At 2 o'clock the Cygnet was still heading directly for the North Head with the Fanny Thornton cominsr on well fully two miles in her wake. The reef was safely weathered this board by the Cygnet, and the jib-topsail at 2.7 was again hazarded and the sai's tightened in the hone of fetching the North Head. The Fanny Thornton is standing well out in the channel .on a long board, and may possibly weather the reef without further tacking. At 2.30 the Cygnet passed the North Head, standing right across the harbour towards Orakei Bav.

Running quickly over to Orakei, the Cygnet took a board back across the harbour to a point just opposite the North Shore wharf; she tacked again on a board towards Mechanics' Bay just as the Fanny Thornton at 2.37, having •managed to weather the reef Without again tacking, showed her nose round the North Head. The greatest excitement now prevailed, the time allowance lessening considerably the Cygnet's advantage and making* it just touch and go with the two vessels. Off Dr. Campbell's residence the Cygnet tacked and stood down- to the flagship. The Fanny The.uion at this time -vis 1 unninj over toward- Orakei. At 2.48 the Cygnet ps-sed the barque Candidate, and two minutes later took a board down towards the Railway wharf, tacking again at 2.55 and standing straight down the harbour, passed t&e fiafphip.

She bad to tack again, however, to pass the post, which she did at 2.58, the band striking up, "See the Conquering Hero Comes," as the gun boomed out for the Cygnet's completion of the race. As,, however, the Fanny Thornton received 15m from the Cygnet, the prize still remained in doubt, more especially as the Fanny was making good headway up the harbour. These fears were soon dissipated, however, for the fateful 15 minutes passed away, and still the Fanny was hardly beyond Calliope Point. Fourteen minutes later she passed the flagship, and the result proved to be:— Cygnet, 2h 58m 32s 1 Fanny Thornton, 3h 27m 30s ... 2 Louie 3 Mr. T. M. Lane, one of the builders of the Cygnet, was on board, and lent valuable assistance to Captain Ross, who handled his vessel with great skill and shrewdness. The crew, too, worked most energetically.

CLUB NOTES. The question of the amalgamation of the two clubs on the Manukau was considered on Wednesday by the Cruising Club, but was rejected in a decisive manner. It was decided to offer to combine the opening and closing days' races and to give each club a clear day for their special cup events. Beyond this the junior club would not go. The question of one big club is thus closed. The Point Chevalier Sailing Club's annual meeting will be held next Wednesday in the clubhouse, Joan Street. The Devonport and Victoria Clubs will both hold their annual meetings in their own clubhouses next Thursday evening. A notice of motion has been lodged with the secretary of the Victoria Club to change the night of committee meetings to Thursday instead of Wednesday as at present. This will make entry night on a Thursday if carried. The Takapuna Boating Club is holding a Village Fair and Baby Show to-night and to-morrow in the clubhouse. The annual meeting takes place on September 6.

MILFORD CRUISING CLUB.

ANNUAL PRIZE NIGHT. The annual social and presentation of prizes of the Milford Cruising Club was held last evening in the Picturedrome, Milford. Mr. W. Skelton, commodore of the club, welcomed members and visitors from kindred clubs, and said the three races held during the past season had been well contested. The cruising race to Arkle's Bay was very popular. The other races were sailed off Milford Beach, and attracted many visitors. Mr. A. B. Webber, before presenting the priies, congratulated the officers and members on the steady growth of the club, and paid a tribute to the work of the commodore. Mr. Skelton, and the secretary. Mr. Somerfield. The prize list was as follo«rs: —December 17: Glady, D. Mackav ; V.-mp, E. Bennett; Joan, T. Webster; Edna. H. J. February 4: Aloha. D. Wilson; Glady, D. Mackay ; Maybell, H. Warman: Senior, F. Senior. March 31 : Wayward, W. Skelton ; Glady. D. Mackay.

COMING EVENTS

August —Point Chevalier Sailing Club's Annual Meeting. August 30—Victoria Cruising Club's Annual Meeting. August 30 —Devonport Yacht Club's Annual Meeting. September 4—Tamaki Yacht Club's Prize Night. September 6—Takapuna Boating Club's Annual Meeting. September B—Akarana Yacht Club's Prize Night. September C.5 —Richmond Cruising Club's Annual Meeting. September 26—Akarana Yacht Club's Annual Meeting. September 27—Tamaki Yacht Club's Annual Meeting. September 28—Royal N.Z. Yacht Squadron's Annual Meeting. October " —N.Z. Power Boat Association's Prize Night and Annual Meeting.