GUTTER RACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 6929, 1 February 1884, Page 5

GUTTER RACE.

• A sweepstake (£5 a side) race between the cutters Henry, Gannet, Mahurangi, and Euphemia, took place yesterday", and resulted in a win for the Mahurangi, Captain J. M. McKenzie acted as starter and umpire, and at 12h. 14m. p.m. he got the vessels away to an excellent flying start. The oourse fixed upon for the race was from the Queen-street Wharf, ronnd the Sisters' Rocks off Waiheke, and back to the starting point, passing outside Brown's Island. The Mahurangi, at the drop of the flag, was the first to get under way, and at once asßumed the lead down the harbour with a fresh southerly breeze. The other three boats following in clote proximity. When the Bean Rock Lighthouse was abeam, the Mahurangi had a lead of some 80 yards, she being followed by the Henry, the Gannet coming next and close up on the Henry, the Euphemia being last. On rounding tbe beacon off Brown'* Island, the Mahurangi had somewhat improved her lead, the others being much in the same order. At 2.32 p.m. the Sisters were rounded by the Mahurangi, the Henry, which had somewhat decreased the lead between herself and tbe leading outter, coming next. The Gannet, in rounding the Sisters, stood too close in to the shore, and unfortunately took the ground. Sail was immediately lowered, and efforts made to float the vessel again. Meanwhile, the other cutters were standing across towards the Wairoa, the Mahurangi apparently having the best of the race. At 4 p.m. the Henry was about three-quarters of a mile astern of tbe Mahurangi, a similar distance separating the Henry and the Euphemia. About this time the Gannet wag observed to be standing over to the western shore, she having managed to get away from her awkward position. At 4.15 p.m. the Henry commenced to draw up on the Mahurangi, but at tho same time the Euphemia was gradually losing ground. Brown's Island was rounded at 5.20 by the Mahurangi, the Henry following some three or four minutes later. From this point, and whilst working up the harbour, the Mahurangi gradually improved the lead, the winning point being passed as follows :— H.M. Mahurangi ••• 640 Henry ... ... ... ... 6 45 Euphemia coming iu third. It is not expected that the Gannet has auffarsd auy aerious damage by grounding, except the loss of a few sheets of copper.