Aquattos.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 136, 5 December 1903, Page 15

Aquattos.

[Br Narrows.] The opening event of tho season in West Australia waa that of the Mount Bay Club. Sixteen boat* came to tho lino; four capsized, six struck trouble, end four finished unimpaired. It was a breezy day, and exciting incidents waro lacpected. "Ringtail" in tho West Australian thus describes a couple of them : -r"lf narrowness of the escapo bo any criterion of exhilaration of spirit, then tho crew of tlio Jonah have a page that •rill remain green in their memories for, perhaps, the rest of tho season. With spinnaker on before the wind, she plunu•d bead foremost till there was only the *t«rn-deck and aft«r-eud of the hatch dear of the water. Yet the boys in her «uu&£ed to get home of the sail oil and bale the watei out I'he fact thdt she tvw» got going again without outside asiiistanoe stamps & flattering certificate to the indomitable pluck and emulative dexterity of tho crew. At least one other boat in the race which with far leee determination might have been saved tho humiliation of a upill, vruM allowed to roll over as tho' easiest way out of a difficulty." Surprise was tho •winner, Ena and Hero second and third Vcupectively, but tho writer expresses the opinion that bub for carelessness in providing inefficient buoys Ena must have won. One of tbe yachts -which attracted notice at tbe opening demonstration at ilobart was tbe Heriuiono, built in Sydney two years ago from a design by Crowninshk'ld, and recently purchased by Mr. Roberta, a member of the Derwent Club. Another notable addition to the South TasmniT.an fleet is tbe Tasma, ono of the cracks of her day. As a cutter site represented Tasmania at the Centennial Regatta in 1888, and carried off the £200 prize. The Engjiih rowing Acnson closed -without a professional sculling match of any consequence. This is the first time for many yean that a season has been co unproductive. Prospects are bad for noxt season, and the only hope for a revival seems to be tho introduction of *ome coloninl or foreign sculler of noto. So far as Australia. it» concerned, it doei not appear at all likely that Thames •culling will be quickened by a visit from our men. Mr. Mark Foy, of Sydney, hopes to *ay« hi* now rater in Sydney in a few flays. It wn» built by the Logans, of Auckland, nnd if the boat proves fnst Mr. Foy will send it to England to resitfn, if possible, tho Australian Shield, which v/aa won by the Maid of Kent ft f«w years ago from the 22-footer Irex. The new boat is named the Southerly Buster. Swimming notes will be found on page Jjt of this isanav