SAILING MATCH ROUND THE ISLE OF WIGHT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 102, 18 December 1852, Page 5

SAILING MATCH ROUND THE ISLE OF WIGHT.

Defeat of the Amekica.—There were 8 vessels entered in the match for the 100 guinea Cup, the gift of her Majesty, open only to yachts of the R.V.Y.C. We had looked forward to seeing the Volante contend for this prize against her old opponent the America; and we now regret to find' that she was not entered because her owner was ineligible for the race, from having withdrawn his name from the Victoria Club—a step taken, we understand, in consequence of the new rule as to racing adopted at Ryde, viz., that yachts should be reckoned by their length instead of by their tonnage. The course on Thursday was round the island, passing outside the Nab Light Vessel, leaving the buoys on theSandheads and Noman on the starboard hand, returning between the Brilliant or station vessel and Ryde Pier. The match excited the deepest interest in the nautical world:, and which was participated in by the public in general. The weather in the morning bore a menacing aspect, but as the time approached for the start it wore away. There was a gentle breeze blowing from the southward and westward, and the day in every other respect,delightful. At lOh. 30m. the gun to start was fired, when the several yachts in the match slipped fromtheir moorings, and pro-ceeded-on their course, passing to the eastward outside the island. The Musquito, under the directions of the celebrated " Jack Nickols," took the lead, and gotaway with alacrity, followed by the Arrow, then the America, Aurora, and Zephyretta, and the rest "in a bunch." As they passed the Noman the wind became light from the S.W., and as the day advanced the breeze freshened, though not to that extent as to prevent them carrying all the sail each yacht was allowed to do. The Musquito having still the lead, kept it for a considerable distance, folfowed by the Arrow, Zephyretta, and America. As it was evident the other yachts had no chance, and so many "strangers" in company, all attention was directed towards the yachts we have named as being the only ones which had a slightchance with the formidable antagonist of the last season; the general opinion being in favour of the Arrow, from her having been lengthened and much improved, although some entertained a-belief that the Musquito would not be very far behind. The Musquito was the first to round the Nab, about two minutes in advance of the Arrow, the latter about three minutes on the Zephyretta, and in about

two minutes afterwards was followed by the America. From hence the respective yachts hauled their wind, and worked down the S.E. part of the island towards St. Catherine's. The Musquito here showed her weatherly qualities, and when off the South point of the island was about eight minutes ahead of the Arrow, and about twelve minutes ahead of the America. The advantage she had thus obtained was occasioned by her making short tacks and her quickness in stays, a certain advantage possessed by cutters over schooners. The America had long reaches in the offing, as was the case last summer. In the present instance there was no excuse of working up in shore, as both the America and Musquito were of similar draught of water, about eleven feet. St. Catherine's having been rounded, the yachts edged away and shaped their course" N. W. for the Needles. Wind about S.W. to W.S.W., fresh breeze. The America on this course lessened her distance, and upon rounding the Needles Rocks the Musquito was only four minutes and a half ahead of the America, and the latter about eight minutes in advance of the Arrow. After these yachts had got inside the Needles the wind shifted to W.N. W., and the America overhauled and passed the Musquito off " Jack in the Basket," and then became the leading vessel. By the time the Musquito reached Lepe the Arrow passed her; from thence the yachts stretched across the Solent towards Old Castle Point, where the three yachts met together, and the Arrow and Musquito shortly afterwards closed the America and passed her. The whole now ran up and passed Osborne with the wind dead aft, the America "goose winged," the some advantage being taken byfthe cutters, they also booming out their foresails. It was here evident that as long as the cutters could run under their two sails, they had the advantage. Eventually they arrived at the goal as follows, it being almost a neck and neck race between the Arrow and Musquito, the former being about the length of her bowsprit in advance. They were timed as, follows :—

H. M. S. Arrow . . . 658 42 Musquito . . 6 58 44 America. . . 7 0 45 Zephyretta . . 7 36; 30 Thus it will be seen it was a most exciting match, and the alteration which the Arrow has undergone has greatly improved her sailing qualities. Nevertheless, it was the general remark that, however well the America may have been sailed and attended to during the match, with the same canvass on her as when sailed by her former American crew, her sails did not present that l! cardboard" appearance we have been accustomed to witness; nor did she present that smooth appearance gin , displacing or going through the water as formerly, when her motion was almost imperceptible. It is already known to the world, that heretofore nothing could compete with her, but as the Musquito was never tried with her, and the Arrow has since beenimproved' upon, we must award the palm to our English cutters. An observation was made the day previous, as regards her trim, that to all appearanc, she was too much by the head. She had the sanie pilot, Mr. Underwood, on board, as in her previous races. With this simple fact, then, that she beat everything last year which was opposed to her, and this year has been beaten handsomely by smaller vessels, we close our remarks.— Observer.