AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12853, 29 April 1905, Page 5 (Supplement)

AQUATICS.

A large number of the yachts wont away cruising during the Easter holidays, Kawau being the most favoured resort, some 20 yachts of all classes making this favourite island their rendezvous.

The yachts which went off cruising on Thursday last had quite an experience owing to the weather which prevailed during that night, anil Friday. The wind was about south-west when the yachts started away from their moorings, but as the guk was made the weather conditions changed, the wind shifting suddenly into the north-west, and as suddenly going into the south-west again. Some of the squalls were very severe, but the yachtsmen were alive to the situation and no accidents occurred.

Messrs. Logan Bros, are making good progress with the new oil yacht for Mr. John Alexander, and a great amount of interest is being taken in the yacht by local aquatic enthusiasts.

Mr. A. T. Pittar has decided to have a new fast cruising yacht built by Messrs, Logan Bros., of Auckland, work 011 which will be commenced at once. The yacht will go across to Sydney as 50011 as she is ready for sea..

Tho sinok° conceit and presentation of prizes ill connection with t lio I'onsonby Cruising Club takes place in the J'oiisonhy Hal! on Friday, May 12, when the large number of trophies competed for and won during the past season will lie presented by Mr. F. E. Baunie, M.H.B. [vice-president). ! A strong committee is hard at work over this function. which promises to be the most successful yet held by the club. According to cable messages received during the week a match has boon arranged between George Towns, of Newcastle, the present champion, and .lames .Stanbury, bit the rowing championship of the world. The place and. date for the race has not veJ been fixed. AX MASTER. CRI'ISE The crew ot tlio North Shore yacht Mavotirneen enjoyed a short Easter -misc. Leaving the moorings shortly before noon 011 l!ood Friday, she ran down the harbour before a light: westerly breeze. (iff Brown's Island, in company with the yacht Emerald, tile yacht was struck by a sharp .squall, which compelled the Emerald to lower away everything. The Mavonrneen behaved splendidly, and beyond shipping some water 110 damage was done. As the wind blew in vicious gusts the yacht was headed for Aw alO a Hay, under trysail and jib. where he yachts Cynthia and Mahoe were at anchor. Awaroa Bay, however, offered poor shelter, so in company with the yacht Cynisca. flagship of the Ponsonby Cruising Club (Commodore Wilson), a move was made for the eastern end of Waiheke, and both yachts anchored in win's Bay jn. at sundown. Next morning a start was made for C'owo Bay, where the Koliri. llewi. ami Rainbow were preparing to sail. Alter a short, stay at tin's favourite resort the Mavoiirneen made sail, and continued her trip up the northern coast of Waiheke. meeting tile Tlielma in Hook'.- Buy. Eight winds were experienced along the northern shore, the Masher anil two other yachts being sighted in Onotangi. and a large yacht off Onetangi. bound down, evidently for Man-'o-war Bay. About four p.m. it came outstrong from the south-west, a. heavy sea being encountered in Motuihi Channel. As one of the crew's time was limited, it was decided to make for Drunken Bay for the night, and after a dead slog through a heavy sea the calm waters of Drunken Bay were a pleasant relief. The niylit was spent in company with the Mi.-tletoe. Tore, and two small craft. Early on .Sunday afternoon the return voyage was undertaken in the face of a steady sou'- welter, the moorings being picked 1111 about font p.m., ju-t in time to see the Ida. Airship to the Koval New Zealand "Yacht Squadron, return from her Easier cruise. CRUISE OF THE SI'RAY. The yacht .Spray was hauled up on April 20, and was cleaned and overhauled, and the crew were duly signed on at. eight p.m. Amongst the number was an ex-member of the usual crew, who has lately been stationed at New Plymouth, and lie was made heartily welcome, his presence amongst his old mates adding greatly to the pleasure of all hands. Owing to one or two alterations needed to the running gear, the yacht was brought up at Narrow Neck for the night. An early start was made next morning, and the yacht was caught in a heavy squall. Ihe yacht course was now shaped for : Kawau, the wind being a moderate westerly, I with occasional heavy rain squalls. The j heaviest of these, was encountered about | two p.m. oft ('handler's Island, causing everything to be lowered away. Bon Accord Harbour was reached about three p.m. At night all went ashore, and discussed the weather and its prospects with other yachtsmen. Next morning the yacht left for Mahnrangi, and .Jackson's Bay was reached i at two p.m., and a warm, sunny hay it was | found to be after a four hours' sail in a j cold sou-west wind, In company with (lie | crews of Ida and Iris a very pleasant even- ! '•*!? was spent at Mrs. .Jackson's, whose kind i hospitality is a byword with yachtsmen. | Sail was set early next; morning for a long | ' rinse round Waiheke. The wind still held j 111 the same quarter as on the previous day. Tt was on this trip that, when becalmed off liannet Island, a school of porpoises was met with. Ihe water at. ibis particular spot was as clear as crystal, and it afforded us a great amount of amusement to watch these huge fi-li nosing around the keel. Moore's Bay, Waiheke, was reached about nine p.m. I lie crew were not long in getting 1 into bunk, being tired out with a long day's sail. Monday morning dawned a grey day, and with the thought that it was the last day of the cruise all felt like schoolboys awakening 011 the long-dreaded " Black Monday. Weighed anchor, after a swim, and towed with the dingey out into the channel, there being 110 wind at all, then had breakfast, and let the tide sweep the .yacht, along. A light southerly breeze sprung up later on. and the moorings were reached in tlio evening after a most enjoyable lime. KING EDWARD'S NEW YACHT. I he contract for building King Edward's new yacht ha., boon secured by Jnglis, the Glasgow yacht builder, who lias constructed x number of yachts for American owners. Iho Koyal yacht will be of 2000 tons, and will bo fitted with turbine engines. The new Osborne will be 310 ft. overall and 2boft between perpendiculars, as, compared with 490 ft overall and 380 ft, between perpendiculars in ''° case oi t ''° Victoria and Albert, which draws too much water to enable her to enter many of the smaller harbours of Great; Britain and Ireland. The new yacht will bo of 2000 tons, against 4700 in the case of the Victoria and Albert. The speed of the Osborne will bo 18£ knots. Lras.