COWES REGATTA

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 77, 27 September 1924, Page 19

COWES REGATTA

KING'S YACHT BRITANNIA WINS \ A BACE.

The great yachting festival at Cowes took pkco last August in the presence of the King and Queen, who arrived the previous evening, and brought the leaders of society to Cowes in large numbers. Cowes has the fascinating" elements of combining the social and sporting elements to a peculiar degree. jDurmg its more than a century's existence it lias been the rendezvous of the «reat monarchs- of Europe, and the assembly glace of the aristocracy of the world, bince the war it hasi become an event of a more domestic character, but none the less it has maintained its reputation as the mosf brilliant affair of its kind, states x the "Manchester Guardian." Cowes offered a fitting welcome to' its guests. With the exception of a grey sky at intervals, the sun shone brilliantly, aud a refreshing westerly breeze *,made the conditions perfect for yachtsmen. There -was no regatta so far as 'Cowes itself was concerned, but the regatta of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club took place off Calshot and visitors to Cowe3 were able to witness it even without the aid of glasses. "he King was a competitor. He sailed in his 32-year-old cutter Britannia, and sucoeeded in bringing back with him to the roadstead his famous racer bearing at her masthead the flag of victory. ■ Though the contest had nothing to do with the Cowes festival proper, the success of the King naturally gave general satisfaction. The King was accompanied on the Britannia by the Duke of Connaught. The, Queen, left the Victoria and Albert to sea the start of the race. The Britannia had. succeeded in lowering the colours of such a splendid performer as the "White Heather. The Shamrock was in the race, but had retired owing to the death of the first officer, who had fallen overboard. Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht returned with her flag at half-mast.

, The name of the man lost was Theophilus Lewis, aged 48, who lived at Tollesbury,. Essex. It appears that he was engaged in attending .to a sail and slipped off the. bowsprit, The yacht passed over him, and he was seen in its wake immediately afterwards! \ A lifebuoy was thrown to him, but he disappeared,, and was not seen again. The festival promised to be the most memorable since the war. There was a large assembly of pleasure yachts lying at anchor near the Royal yacht, tho splendid outlines of whose black and gold hull stood out with stately Royal dignity. The fleet'presented a charming spectacle. Nearly every variety of 'yacht was represented. The King- and Queen attended divine • service aboard the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert at Cowes1.. ,At Holy Trinity Church, Cowes,- known as the Squadron Church, the morning. service was attended by the Commodore, ViceCommodore, and members of the Royal Yacht Squadron. The Bishop of Winchester was the preacher