PAGEANT OF SAIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21404, 31 January 1933, Page 12

PAGEANT OF SAIL

'ANNIVERSARY REGATTA

SCENES ON THE HARBOUR

) IDEAL/ WIND FOR YACHTS

jH.M.S. DUNEDIN AS FLAGSHIP

'A brisk northerly wind and bright sun-

shine combined to make Auckland s Anniversary Day/ regatta yesterday an enjoyable event for thoso who go down the larbour in ships. Thero have been Anniversary Days jwhen annoying calms restricted the aspiia-

iions of yachtsmen who delight to see, and senstho bellying canvas of their craft under the pressure of favourable winds. The, conditions yesterday were an answer to/'the hopes of yachtsmen. The larger craft, particularly, such as the lofty A class yachts, won power and ease of motion from a -wind which might have been created for them. Sailing conditions, which, incidentally, called for a degree of skill and judgment on the part Of tho crews, were excellent throughout the day, Although several of the smaller Vessels encountered difficulties when tho •vrind noticeably freshened in the after noon.

The Waitemata Harbour assumed its gayest mood for a gay occasion. 11.M.5. Dunedin, y tho flagship, stationed off Prince's Wharf, was boarded by a typically holiday crowd, which arrived by ferry, launch and all manner of craft. There was music to command the interest, of those who were there merely for the spectacle. .Flaunting a sufficiency of bunting, which captured the capricious spirit of the wind, the Dunedin had rivals at the wharves, where the American liner Monterey and. the Finnish windjammer jWinterhude, dressed appropriately, offered & fascinating contrast in shipping types, but a contrast which had a common bond in acknowledging Auckland s important harbour evdnt. Coastal Vessels Bedecked For that, matter, drab and puny coastal vessels were decked in attractive colours, perky excursion steamers had a more obvious holiday appearance than usual, .while, at the Devonport naval base, there was an adequacy of bunting to rival the Dunedin's display. On the Dunedin thero was a happy association between the Navy and the .public, particularly appropriate because it/ was an officer of the Royal Navy, Captain William Hobson, who founded the City of Auckland. Later, as tho softening tones of evening held sway over the harbour, there was a memorable spectacle the yachts beating home to finish a miscellany of races. Essentially of the Waitemata, the sight was one which inevitably commanded the attention of all lovers of the water. Tall and stately yachts, eminently practical cruisers, diminutive and almost precocious sailing vessels —they all played their part in the pageant on the dancing Waitemata. For the spectators, the regatta offered ample interest. The innovation of conducting the power-boat and outboard races in the basin between Western and Prince's Wharves was a success. Many people were able to obtain excellent views from those wharves, and also from the Western Via'duct. The choppiness of the water under the influence of the steady wind served to make the racing more exciting. It was especially so with the outboards, which, striking the waves and caught underside by the wind, often made spectacular leaps clear from the surface. Gusty Wind Causes Trouble When there was a wind which was gusty in some portion of the harbour several craft of the open and half-decked class capsized. There was also a naval whaleboat 'which went ovei." off Stanley Point. In no case was the mishap serious, all the crews being rescued quickly by passing launches. From a punt moored alongside the Dunedin, the men of tho Navy were engaged in aquatic sports and much interest was taken by tho spectators assembled on board. Djiring the afternoon, however, there'was'a strong ebb tide, which resulted in several of the events being post-

poned. The Duriedin was flagship through the courtesy of Commodore F. Burges WatEon, -who was on board Messrs. R. B. ' and S. S. Wilson's first-class yacht Ariki -during the principal race of the day. The [Ariki was /the first .to cross the finishing line in the race for A class yachts, but ¥ %he event was won on time allowance by Jda, raced /by Mr. A. A. Angell. At the concluison of the programme Captain Mi J. C. de Merio received the thanks, on behalf of the commodore, of Mr. E. H. Davis, chairman of the regatta committee,/ for the use of the warship. t POWER-BOAT RACES SIX EVENTS DECIDED / SEVERAL CLOSE FINISHES The events for all power craft were started from the end of Western Wharf. Although .there were fioire excellent finishes tho choppy conditions in the harbour somewhat marred the races for outboard engined boats, several cf which did not face the starter. One race was Details of tho events are:— OUTBOARD GENERAL . HANDICAP (all types arid motors). First prize, £4; second prize, £1 12s. All mark 4 were kept on the port side, thus giving left-hand turns for the. drivers. Seven • boats started and some spectacular turnings were witnessed. The result and . finishing times were:— Chancit 11. (limit), 11m 435, 1; Gee Hoppa (3m 35a), 12m, 2; Laju (3m 15s), 12m 295, 3. CRUISERS (under 8 knots). First prize, £1; : second prize, £1 12s. Five boats got away to a good start and fi fine performance was given. There was a close finish. Yvonne did not complete the course. The result and finishing times were: —Young Zealandia (11m cJ.i). 27m 555, 1; •Mama (4mJ, 28m 4s, 2; Aroha (7m). 28m id~s, 3. . / SPEED-BOAT HANDICAP.—First prize, £6 10s; second prize, £3. Champion flag for fastest time. In this there were only three •jornpetiters. All were late at the start and one boat, Miss Egypt 11., was unable to finish owing to engine trouble. The result and finishing-times were:—Mist Chief (3m 50s), 12m 595, 1; Spot (4m 20s), 13m Bs, 2. .CRUISERS (over 11 knots).—First prize, / The result and finishing times were:— fftamona (Cm), 18m 555, 1; Bonzo (lm). 19m bo 3, 2; Tasman (scr), 19m 595, 3. These .were the only Btarters. OUTBOARD GENERAL HANDICAP.— 'First praze, £4.

Only three started. Lady X (4m 20s) was the first away, followed by Chancit 11. (2m) and Flaming Youth (scr). Chancit 11. was tho only boat to finish, her time being 11m 50s. SPEED-BOAT HANDICAP.—First prize, / £ ' L Mist Chief (scr) and Bonzo (5m 30s) were the only competitors. Mist Chief got away C 53 before time and was disqualified. Bonzo, which finished 58a behind Mist Chief, was •declared tlife winner. 'NAVAL CONTESTS SUCCESS OF PHILOMEL Naval Heating contests resulted as follows : Whalers' Race (sailing).—Philomel, 1; IR.N.V.R.. 2 and 3. Philomel won by 11m. Whalers' Race (rowing).—Philomel No. 1 jfcrew./I; R.N.V.R. No. 2, 2; Diomede No. IS and Dunedin No. 1, dead-heat, 3.