YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 98, 28 April 1933, Page 11

YACHTING.

MIZPAH'S TRAGIC END. MAJTtJKATT CLUB'S FINALS. HARBOUR RACE FOB MODELS. (By "SPEEDWELL."*) COMING EVENTS. April 23.—Manukau Yacht CJtib. final yacht and launch races; Manukau Cruising Club. final races, Fearon Cup for yachts, Clyde prize for models: Richmond midgets' prize night: Wakatere Club's race; Otahuhu S.C., final (30th) ; Point Chevalier Club's Schmidt trophy (30th). May 6.—Takapuna Boating Club: Wakatere Club's regatta ; Point Chevalier Club's final for Rawhiti Cup (7th) ; Panmure Boating Club's prize night. May 14.—Proposed harbour race and championships for model yachts. little did the four yachtsmen, C. "Snowy" Harris, James P. Kelleway, Jack Hurrell_ and T. N. Naylor, think as they sailed down the Waitemata on Wednesday week in the smaU keel yacht Mizpah. bound for Wellington, that only one of their number would come home again. _ The evidently made fairly good time as tar south aa Napier, where she encountered hard sou'-westerly winds, which would be off the shore, and" naturally the skipper would keep fairly close in. When Cape Turnngain was reached on Monday evening the wind went into the south, right ahead for them, and increased to a fierce gale, really a "southerly buster," coming right up from the South Pole. Onlv full-powered steamers could have made any headway in such weather. The crew did the right thing; they hove the yacht to and put ont a sea anchor to lessen her drift, back to the coast. Evidently the wind had a touch of south-east in it. and this gradually drove the small craft inshore. Soon after 2 a.m. the boat got amongst the breakers off Porangahau Beach, a few miles north of Cape Turn again, and in such a terrific sea she only lasted a few minutes. Craft many times larger and more seaworthy than the little llizpah would have met the same fate. What happened to the crew is only conjecture, but it is propable that two of them, Kelleway and Naylor, were hurt when the cabin top was smashed in and never had a chance to get ashore. Harris caught hold of a box which floated away from the yacht, and managed to get safely ashore. Evidently Hurrell was washed ashore later and he wandered amongst the sandhills for several hours until he became exhausted and died from exposure sbout 6 B-in., his body being found by searchers who had been apprised of the accident by Harris, who followed tie telegraph lines until he came to a dwelling. The yacht broke into pieces and the wreckage is strewn along the beach. The keel, and engine, which was bolted down to it, would sink, but the upper parts of the hull came ashore. Mr. Harris has now recovered from his exposure and is awaiting the inquest before returning home. There is no doubt that the tragedy was partly due to the two months' delay which occurred in the arrangements made for the yacht's departure for Wellington. It is only reasonable to expect bad weather at this time of the year. Again, it certainly. was an exceptionally heavy gale, as all steamers and other vessels afloat at that time report it as such. It was a pity that the vaclit did not run for shelter during Monday, but only a very experienced seaman would have forecast a southerly buster, and an exceptionally heavy one at that- The' sympathies of all boating men are extended to the relatives of the three voung men who lost their lives, and at the same time we offer congratulations to "Snowy" Harris.

ON THE MANUKATT. TWO CLUB FINALS. The Manukau Yacht Club and the Manukau Cruising Club will conclude their season's racing to-morrow afternoon witn general handicaps for yachts and launches. The Yacht Club will als«o hold their final race for the club's 12ft 6in class to decide the points prize for the season, and the Cruising Club will hold two events for model vachts in the basin, starting at 1.00 Dm. The races will start on No. 1 course, the Cruising Club's events finishing on No. 2, off the main wharf. The season has been quite a good one for both clubs, and interest seems to be as keen as ever on the western harbour in spite of the drawbacks of strong tides and comparatively shallow water, except in the recognised channels. At one time there was some talk of the amalgamation of the clubs, but this has been dropped and each is now content to carry on alone The rivalry, although quite friendly, is keen, and has the effect of getting nearly every available boat to start in one or other club. It also has been the means of several boats being bought on this side and taken across the island to race against their present cracks. The only suggestion that "Speedwell" would make is that a meeting at the beginning of tie season between two representatives from each club could fix up the racing dates t0 clashing, as they have done on s «J Fral occasions this season, and thp ß . owner who wishes to compete in both a chance to do so. THE YACHT CLUB. The Manukau Yacht Club will hold a race for vachts over No. 1 course, startin,. 3l together at 2.15 p.m. The entries and handicaps are: Anahera, scr; SpaCnorne 6im : An tea, 7lm; Miss Mac. 15m, Mist Maid. 191 m: WUd Wave. Phoebe, ~.m ~ Lone Star, 2Sm ; Aim Ira, 30m : Sea Toiler, 33m: Kitty, 41m; Patricia. 48m. Launches, to start at 2.30 p.m., No. 1 course, all starting off together.—Norma. scr: Kaiapoi, Mary G„ 2m; puemda. 4rn . Miss Ngaire, 9m ; Shark and Jess to handicapped. (T&j£apu The three club boats, Comet, Tuatea and Nor Wilson, will compete for the final race to decide the points cup for the season, starting after the launches. THE CRUISING CLUB. The Manukau Cruising Club vrfEl bold their final events to-morrow, , race ?_ ® club vachts and launches will tAke place. Both events start on No. 1 course (off the jetty), and finish on No. 2 course (off the main wharf). The yachts are for the Fearon Handicap Cup, and the IS footers for the Fearon Challenge Cup. In this race Sea Gnome is defending her title acrainst Ranni and Romance. --hit k p a Knprial race for model yachts will oe hefd Tn the basin for the Clyde handicap prize, and a second race for a club prize. In the model races the boats will carry dis tinguishing letters on their mainsails. Tbe entries and handicaps are :—- Yachts, limit boat to start at 2.1j p.m — Aoma scr; Anahera, 3m; Sea Gnome, Ranui, 13m; Sea Horse. 14m; Romana, 14im; Maranui. 171 m; fcea .K^g. Aotea 20m : Charm, Atangatai, -lm , Miss Mac 22m : Shirley, 25m ; Wild TV ave. 26m , Lone Star, 33m; Aomatea, osm; Ranger, MmiraT 40m; Elaine 45m ; Ngaliui, 55m Launches, limit boat to start at 3.-0 p.m.—Surprise, scr; Cremorne, im , Karma, 13m: Regal. 14m; Tawera, li_*m, Grace, wim • Wolverine, 34m ; Doris, 365 m. Model Yachts. —B, W, M, apd Y, scr, J 30s; P. lm 30s; T. 85, O and N, 2m los, V, F, 3m.

OTAHXTHTJ SAILING- CLUB. FINAL RACE OF SEASON. The Otahubu Sailing Club "«-Ulh ol dthe last race of the season during the w«kend. In this event all the boats mnst be sailed by youths under 21 years of age. The course is the usual one, starting and finishing off the clubhouse The entries are; —Surprise. Allies, Spindrift, Kivai, Champagne, Winalot, Rahin and Lee. Although the club has lost the 14 footer Omaki. IS-footer Ventura, and 20footer Wayward from its fleet in the past, few •weeks, already negotiations are in hanu for boats to replace them, while one or two of the Panmure River class of 18footers will be built during the winter by club members.

POINT CHiiVATiI tilt CLUB. TWO GENERAL HANDICAPS. The Point Chevalier Sailing Club will hold two handicap races during the end The races are open to all. the fir.t is for T. X and Y class, starting at 11 am and the second, starting at 11.15 a.m., fo? the H, U N, M, V. and S classes for Mrs. Harold Schmidt's trophy. The course, is from off the clubhouse, round Walker's buoy moored to the south, thence round fourth beacon in Whau channel (flagged), thence round first beacon (flagged), thence round buoy off northern end of beach, and back across Starting line, twice round, keeping all marks to star bo art 1 . Post entries will be received lor both races.

PROPOSED HARBOUR. RACE. EVENT PRACTICALLY AS SUE-ED. Ls.st week the proposal made by Mr. H. Jackson to hold a race for model yachts over a harbour course was mentioned, ana opinions invited from clubs or individual competitors. The Ponsonby Club considered that the course was too Ion?, being from off Or&kei Bay, round Sandspit beacon, off Devonpon., thence round Resolution buoy, off Psrnell, and back to starting line. Letters have since T>een received from Mr. Willetts. of Waterview Road, Devonport. and others supporting a race over the harbour course, and arrangements will now be made by the commodore of the Tamaki Club, as suggested by Mr. Jackson, to hold the race on the first available Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Mr. Willetts writes :—"lt was mentioned in your notes on this race that the Ponsonby Club considered it might be held in the St. Mary's boat harbour. My objection to this is that it does not give the entrants from other places an equal chance, as tie Ponsonby members know the winds, etc., and can take advantage of them. Also, there are too many obstructions on this course, such as yachts, launches and mooring buoys, and the model sailer has to keep dodging about to clear them. In the harbour course, no other model yacht race has been held, and each entrant has an equal chance. The wind also is usually steady, and, what is more important, there are 10 obstructions other than a few steamers, which can be avoided- Another point in favour of the harbour course is that model races are usually held in smooth water and light winds, and the boats that like rough water and a good, breeze never get a chance to show their paces, therefore one race a year on a harbour course is not too much." Mr. Willetts concludes by saying that himself and several other model yacht owners are willing to race over a harbour course only. Mr. Herbert Duke, late commodore of the Mahurangi Model Tacht Club, writes from Warkworth heartily approving of the proposal to hold a race for models over a harbour course. He also agrees with all the conditions suggested by Mr. Jackson, especially the rule against lifting a boat out of the water to make adjustments during the race. If a model leaks, he says, it is a poor model, as he has boats over 30 years old and still tight- He also thinks that the suggested course is not a bit too long, and saya that he has sometimes raoed in five races in one day. He concludes by the practical suggestion of giving a prize for the fastest time over the course, and suggests it to be termed the Auckland championship. No doubt the trophy will be acceptable, and "Speedwell" proposes to call a meeting of those interested, which, judging by opinions, are quite numerous. A harbour championship will be a good race and worth following. Mr. L. Better also writes approving of the course suggested for a harbour race. He is also in favour of the conditions suggested by Mr. Jackson. He offers to enter his Sft model Silver Belle, but a subsequent letter from Mr. Jackson states that he is not in favour of allowing anything under 3ft to compete. This is one of the many little points that conld be discussed at a meeting. No doubt if sufficient entries are forthcoming for a 3ft race it could be held over a somewhat shorter harbour course. The date of meeting will be notified in this column next week, and may be at the Squadron's rooms.

MODEL YACHTING. ORAKEI BASIN CLUB. The Orskei Basin Model Tacht Club will hold its final series of races to-morrow afternoon, when the commodore's trophy will be decided. The following are included in the finals:—lorangi, Twilight, Rangi, Lois M.. Kohimoor and Loyola. Two races were held during the week. There was a good race in the 4ft class over a triangular course, the finish being: Twilight. 4h 22m 30s, 1: Sea Spray. 4h 22m 555. 2; Rona. 4h 24m 255, 3; Min-Y-Don, 4.25. The latter is a new boat built by Mr. Bevins. sen., and sailed by his grandson, Gordon Bevins. The name Is Welsh, and means crest of the wave. A second race between Rona and Sea Spray resulted in a win for Sea Spray by 3m 40s. At the conclusion of to-morrow's racing tbe three boats of the 4ft class and three boats in the Sft class will be selected to meet the three boats in each class of the Ponsonby Model Club in a contest to be held on the Orakei Basin during the weekend, starting sharp at 2 p.m. PONSONBY CLUB. The Ponsonby Model Yacht Club will compete with the Orskei Club in a friendly tussle with boats of the 3ft and 4ft classes on the Basin during the week-end. The boats selected to represent the club are:— Pour-foot class: Bullet, Clara C. and Irene. Three-foot class: Tamariki, Peri and Spray. Some keen racing is expected. The club's finals will take place on May S. MANUKAU CLUB. The Manukau Senior Model Yacht Club will hold the final events of the season to-morrow at Mill Beach. Tbe first race will start at 2 p.m. The A class will compete for Mr. S. H. Breeford's trophy and the B class for club prize. The final of the last day's race will also be sailed.

TAKAPUKA BOATING CLUB. RACES ON SATURDAY "WEEK. The Takapuna Boating Club will hold the two races oostponeJ last Saturday owing to the weather on Saturday, May 6. In the race for the O. K. Lawless Shield the usual for'ard hatid will take the tiller and the skipper work for'ard. The entries are:—Kitty. Trevic. Me Too, Delphine, Tio. Edna V., Benny. The race will start at 2."0 p.m. T, X and Y Class, to start at 2.45 p.m.— Shalimar, scr; Ramona, lm; Yal, 4m; Jupiter, 5m : Desert Gold. 6m ; Meti-or, Idaho. Eleanor, 30m : Speedwell, 11m. Further entries will be received for this class.

WAKATERE CLUB'S REGATTA, The Wakatere Canoe Club will hold a regatta off Narrow Neck beach on Saturday week. May 6. Tbe events for the Wakatere class will be open to allcomers. A general handicap for all classes will take place over a course round Saltworks beacon and back. The entry for each class is one shilling per- boat and post entries will be received. The club is holding a race to-morrow afternoon for the Nicholas Cup, in which the boats will be sailed by lady skipperß. Ten entries have been received and handicaps will be declared before the start. This week-end a 15-mile cruising race will be held for the Richardson Cup. starting at 10 a.m. The course is from Narrow Neck, round beacon off Islington Bay. finishing at McKenzie's Bay, just outside Rangitoto beacon.

RICHMOND CRUISING CI/CB. The Richmond Cruising Club's midget class, which includes all sorts of sailing dinghies 'up to 10ft 6in. has proved very popular. Only started shortly before Christmas. all the events were closely contested by bovs. several having had experience in their fathers' yachts or as junior members of the crew of some of our 14-footers. and they are naturally proud to be in command of a boat of their own. The trophies won during the season will be presented to-morrow evening in the clubhouse, Sloan's Beach. The commodore. Mr. T. L. Thompson, will preside, and the patron of the club, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth. has consented to make the presentations. The races have all been arranged and conducted by Mr. Ivo Dennes, who has had the assistance in time-keeping of Mr. Mort Hill. The following are the prize winners:— Nancy (J. Hodgson) and Blue Bell (J. Fairs) tie for aggregate with 8 points each: Swastika (W. Fountain), Heather (.T. Leyland) and Comet (Hughes and Haysonl, 6 points: Sea Pearl (J. Sutherland) and Nipen (W. Leyland), 3 points: Sea Lion (J. Frankham), 2 points, and Hiker (J. Wardell), 1 point. A number of trophies have already been promised for competition by the boys next season, including a cup by Messrs. Walker and Hall. The club's regular prize night takes place in the Masonic Hall on June 22.

SALE OP YACHT ORETL Mr. E. B. Dickson, late of Calcutta, has purchased the yacht Oretl. built IS months ago by Mr. Fred Lidgard, of Bayswater. Oreti is 28ft overall, Bft 6in beam and 4ft Sin draught. She is now on Lane's slip having a 9-12 h.p. Kelvin engine fitted. Mr. Dickson proposes to cruise in Xortli Auckland for the next two years, making his headquarters at the Bay of Islands. Oretl is a smart little craft and won her race ax the last Anniversary Regatta.