YACHTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 987, 29 October 1870, Page 18

YACHTING.

The Otago Yacht Club celebrated the commencement of the boating season on Saturday by their- opening cruise. The weather during the forenoon had promised a thorough ducking to those who should take part, the wind being strong from the southwest, with frequent squalls. Just lefore the hour of starting (half-past 2), it suddenly chopped round to the eaetw trd, raising the hopes of those who wished for a whole sail breeze. This change, however, was not of long duration, a further shift taking place almost immediately into northeast, from which quarter it came away as fresh as it had previously been from the opposite quarter. A considerable number of spectators assembled on the jetty at Pelichet Bay, from which, place th«j yachts were to start, and on the town jetties, close to which they were to pass, to witness the proceedings. The Commodore, Mr 0 H. Street, hoisted his pennant on board his yacht Gipsy at half- past two o'clock, as a signal to prepare to weigh. The whole fleet were immediately busy with their canvas, and before long all mainsails were set, and everything ready for a start. Shortly after three o'clock the Commodore slipped anchor, and after a short reach, on the starboard tack, bore up for town, followed by the others in line. The yachts which took part were the following :—: —

Mr C. Burkes Champion, 11 tons, and Mr C. Macandre .v's Blue Jacket, 4 tons, had been expected to take part, but the fitting-out of the former was not sufficiently advanced to admit of it, and the latter had suffered considerable damage in a squall while cruising the preceding evening, and could not be got ready in time. On arriving off the town jetty the Commodore hove- to, to allow the other yachts to close up behind him. This having been accomplished, he filled, and stood to windward down the harbour. At this point, the skipner of the Dauntless, finding that he had rather more sail than was conducive to comfort, choked down his third reef, and shifted his jib for a storm one. The Belle followed suit, as did als'» the Anonyma, by hauling down a reef in her foresail. These alterations threw the fleet a little out of order, but all were soon in their places again. Everyone who understands these matters knows the difficulty of working a number of yachts varying in tonnage and sailing qualities to windward in a line. This was, however, very successfully managed, the only exception to the rule being the Torment, which, with a totßl dis r e»ard of all nautical etiquette, Bhofc from her position on the second tack and stood across the Commodore's bows, several hundred yards to windward of him. She presently, however, thought better of it, and easing sheets, ran back into her place. The wind had now taken off considerably, and reefs were shaken out by most of the boats. On reaching the usual position of the lower racinu buoy, whole sails were set for the run h^me, and wi'h a favouring puff the yachts ran the distance in a remarkably short time. Arrived at the starting point, the Gipsy was hove to, and the other yachts passing under her stern, salutes were exchanged, and the fleet dispersed. The crews of the yachts were nearly all composed of members of the Club, and a number of other members were on board as visitors.

Gipsy, 9 tons, Mr 0. H. Street. _ Anonyma, 10 tons, Mr Walter Guthrie, Belle, 7 tons, Mr A., J. S. Gibbs. Dauntless, 9 to> s, Mr R. C. Haggitt. Torment, 3 tons, Mr R H«y. Cygnet, 4 tons, Mr T. Fordyce.